Josue De Paz
Josue De Paz is the CEO & co-founder of First Tech Fund (FTF), a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2020 that provides free technology and broadband access, mentorship, digital skills training, and insight into career pathways, while showing students the opportunities that exist and guiding them on how to attain them, equalizing the academic and professional playing fields for low-income students of color. Previously, he was a Community Partnerships Manager at Girls Who Code, where he was responsible for all partnerships, outreach, and strategy across a portfolio of 9 states in the south of the US. Josue has also worked in for-profit roles in financial services and advertising. Outside of his role, he was a 2021 Coro Workforce Systems Leadership Fellow and a 2021 NLC Fellow. Most recently, Josue was one of 12 changemakers selected globally for the 2022-23 Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University, a leadership development program where Scholars deepen their knowledge and skills and build new capacities and networks to accelerate their impact. Originally from Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, Josue immigrated to the United States at the age of 5 and grew up in Los Angeles, CA. He holds a B.S. in Political Science from Santa Clara University and is currently a DACA recipient living in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn with his wife and dog.
Lindi Duesenberg
Lindi Duesenberg is the founder and executive director of DMF Youth, an NYC-based nonprofit that empowers underserved youth through high-impact afterschool and summer programs. With a strong commitment to holistic growth, Lindi's career is centered around ensuring all children receive the enrichment and support they need to thrive.
Having retired from her successful dance career, Lindi embarked on a new path in the NYC fitness and education world. As the founder of Dance Motivation Fitness (DMF), she built one of the leading dance cardio workouts in NYC, known for its upbeat, motivational, and positive approach to wellness. However, Lindi's true calling lies in working with children and teens, motivating them to achieve greatness in all aspects of their lives.
As the executive director of DMF Youth, Lindi is dedicated to addressing the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of underserved youth in NYC. Through her leadership and collaborative approach, she provides children with the tools and support necessary to thrive and succeed in all areas of their lives, leaving a lasting impact on their futures.