PiTech Visiting
Practitioners (ViP)
Program
The Visiting Practitioners (VIP) Program brings tech leaders from a range of impact-oriented organizations to Cornell Tech to engage in conversations around public interest technology.
Throughout the semester, ViPs hold office hours with Cornell Tech students and other PiTech community members. In these sessions they give feedback on product and research ideas, share their career paths, and offer perspective from their work across sectors. ViPs may also take part in select PiTech events and invite the community's input on their own projects.
👋 Meet our Cohorts
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⏱️ Book Office Hours
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👋 Meet our Cohorts ↓ ⏱️ Book Office Hours ↓
2026-27 ViPs Cohort
Cornell Tech’s Public Interest Tech initiative welcomes its sixth cohort of ViPs.
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Sateesh Nori
Chief Legal Futurist, LawDroid
Senior Research Fellow on AI & Access to Justice, NYU School of Law’s Center on Civil Justice
Sateesh is at the forefront of integrating AI into legal services, informed by two decades of experience representing tenants in housing court.
Read Sateesh’s bio.
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Marissa Gerchick
Data Science Manager, Algorithmic Justice Specialist, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Marissa brings expertise in data science and algorithmic justice to understanding and addressing the impacts of AI and automated decision-making.
Read Marissa’s bio.
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Scott Klein
Scott has spent more than 25 years pushing the boundaries of data-driven journalism, building innovative tools and products that turn public data into information people can use.
Read Scott’s bio.
Sign up for Visiting Practitioner Office Hours!
Cornell students, faculty, and staff are invited to book time with our Visiting Practitioners.
Cornell students, faculty, and staff can now book time with any of our Visiting Practitioners (ViPs). Office Hours provide an opportunity to connect directly with experienced practitioners and draw on their perspectives, expertise, and professional experiences.
ViPs can offer insights on a range of topics, including:
Ideas and projects: Get feedback on a Studio concept, research project, initiative, or other work.
Careers and professional development: Learn about a ViP’s career trajectory, current work, and experiences, and discuss your own professional goals and questions.
Industry and sector expertise: Draw on their experience across private, public, and nonprofit organizations and gain perspective on a particular field, sector, or area of interest.
Office Hours are yours to make the most of. Come with a specific question, bring your Product Studio team to workshop an idea, or use the time to learn more about a ViP’s professional journey and discuss your own career aspirations.
2025-26 ViPs Cohort
Cornell Tech’s Public Interest Tech initiative welcomes its fifth cohort of ViPs.
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Sonam Velani
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Brandon Powers
Artistic Innovation Lead
Musical Theater Factory
Creative Director & Choreographer
2024-25 ViPs Cohort
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Karen Bhatia
Lecturer
Stanford University -
Chante Harris
Founder & Managing Partner
Eunoia Group -
Luke Farrell
Senior Advisor for Technology and Delivery
The White House
2023-2024 ViPs Cohort
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Karen Bhatia
Lawyer and Faculty, Stanford University
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Jessica Cole
Director / Aspen Institute Tech Policy Hub
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Clarence Wardell
Senior Program Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
2022-2023 ViPs Cohort
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Afua Bruce
Public Interest Technologist / Author
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Jorge Fontanez
CEO of B Lab U.S. & Canada
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Stephan Nicoleau
Partner at FullCycle
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Jennifer Park
Executive Director, Opportunity Accelerator, Results for America
2021-2022 ViPs Cohort
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Rhonda Allen
CEO / /dev/color
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Anjana Rajan
CTO, Polaris
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Oscar Romero
Program Director, NYC’s Mayor’s Office of the CTO
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Roxann Stafford
Managing Director, Knight-Lenfest Local News Transformation Fund
Would you like to be our next VIP?
Applications and nominations for the 2025-26 Academic Year are considered on a rolling basis. Please reach out to pitech-info@tech.cornell.edu. Preference is given to individuals based in or near NYC.