Company Info for civicsunplugged.org | IcebreakerMembers
I am a dedicated Computer Science student at the University at Buffalo (UB), where my academic focus revolves around Web Development and Python. As a Presidential Scholar at UB, a member of the Leadership House, and the President of Wilkeson Quad, RHA, I've had the opportunity to refine my leadership and organizational abilities. These experiences have been instrumental in shaping my character and preparing me for the dynamic field of technology.
My journey in the tech world began at a young age when I served as the President of the Tech Club at Delhi Public School Ruby Park. During this time, I achieved notable recognition, including awards like the Google India Code to Learn and the Most Promising Innovator Award from Intel India and CBSE. These early successes laid the foundation for my passion for technology and innovation.
I have channeled my skills into creating meaningful projects, such as the AI video-chat app 'Attentive' and the socially impactful 'Jagriti App.' These ventures not only allowed me to apply my technical expertise but also showcased my commitment to using technology for positive change.
Currently, I am actively contributing to the education landscape as a Course Presenter in Computer Science and Engineering at the University at Buffalo. This role enables me to share my knowledge and passion for technology with fellow students, fostering an environment of learning and collaboration.
Beyond academia, I recently graduated as a Youth Advisory Board Member for UNICEF India. In this capacity, I led impactful social media campaigns and facilitated discussions on the intersection of technology and changemaking. These experiences have broadened my perspective on the role of technology in shaping our collective future.
In essence, my diverse experiences, coupled with my robust technical skills, drive my fervor for making a positive impact through technology. I am committed to leveraging my knowledge and abilities to contribute meaningfully to the ever-evolving landscape of computer science and technology. 
Deborah Olatunji is a storyteller, community-builder, and tea-enthusiast. She is majoring in Psychology with a concentration in community and cultural intervention and a minor in Digital Humanities. Prior to starting at Penn, she worked for a New-York based, education non-profit where she used her skills to advance the mission to provide funding for more than 1,000 high school students to pursue curiosity projects with mentorship. A second-generation Nigerian-American student, Deb has spent her time advocating for arts spaces, entrepreneurship and tech education for students across the country and the globe. She was recently awarded the Imagining America Joy of Giving Something Fellowship for digital media, arts, and public service work. With this grant, she created the Black Storytellers Collective, a transnational space for Black writers to convene for sharing stories through film, writing, and audio arts. The BSC currently has writers from South Africa, Zambia, and the United States. At Penn, she has served as the marketing director and co-director for the Excelano Project, the premier spoken word group on campus, and has performed at Carnegie Hall, on multiple stages in South Africa, and spaces in Philadelphia.
As a freshman, she created the Voices of Disruption Podcast, a generation connecting show centered on finding glory in the mystery and intersecting culture and wellness. She also is an SNF Paideia Fellow, a TA for an ABCS course, member of the Kelly Writers House hub, and former Founders’ Education Chair for Sigma Eta Pi. She has been a mentor to incoming students in the Penn community through the Penn Arts Summer program, the Africana Studies Pre-Freshman Program, the Academically Based Community Course Program and the Penn First Plus Program. She recently currently learned how to code through the {G}code fellowship and is an advocate for digital and mental health literacy. When she’s not learning a new skill or making a new friend, she’s writing a collection of poems, having a solo dance party, or finding treasures on Facebook Marketplace.
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I am looking to be a podcast guest, speaker to your community on education, entrepreneurship, race-based activism, youth empowerment, storytelling, change, career shifts, and help create spaces for advocacy and policy that bring justice and strengthen relationships. Reach out to me here: kdeboraholatunji@gmail.com
My skills are in community organizing, education reform, graphic design, PR/comms, web development, writing, spoken word poetry, activism, and advocacy. 
Josh is a New York-based serial entrepreneur and investor with over 15 years of experience across the ed tech, venture capital, impact investing, and blockchain industries. He specializes in working with early stage companies and in forging public-private partnerships.
He founded and launched Civics Unplugged, which has become the largest and most effective democracy building movement in the world. Recently, Civics Unplugged launched the Dream DAO, which Coinbase highlighted as a DAO that has the potential to rewire the world as it relates to philanthropy and impact.
He is also a partner at AeraVC, an early-growth fund that since 2016 has been investing in deep tech ventures that accelerate the world towards a sustainable future. Recently, in partnership with Gotham Labs, of which Josh is a Co-Founder, and Aera VC they launched Aera Force, which is a DAO made up of climate investors, founders, scientists and civic leaders investing in accelerating us toward a regenerative world through web3.
Josh was a Venture Partner at Human Ventures, an incubator with a reputation for one of the most authentic and disruptive models in New York. While at Human Ventures, Josh founded and launched Onward Labs, a venture studio that uses emerging and distributed technologies to tackle the world’s most pressing issues.
Josh spent much of his career in American politics and in 2017, he became the youngest candidate for Mayor that New York City has seen in over 135 years. Homelessness is a key issue that Josh has always campaigned for; in 2018, he pioneered a blockchain powered system that empowers recipients of aid to verify the impact of the products and services they receive from nonprofit / government organizations.
Josh has a knack for relationship-building and fundraising and has helped raise over $300M+ for non-profit organizations and political campaigns as well as $15M+ for seed-stage startups. Josh remains an active investor to-date and is always on the lookout for opportunities in the climate, carbon, and blockchain spaces. 
I'm a passionate entrepreneur and fintech enthusiast, currently building Leasease — a platform redefining how India pays rent by offering a dedicated credit line for rent payments, making rent more manageable for tenants while ensuring timely payments for landlords.
With a strong foundation in finance, I’ve cleared CFA Level 1, deepening my understanding of investment management, credit systems, and financial analysis.
🌟 What Drives Me
I have a knack for spotting market inefficiencies, especially in personal finance and fintech. My mission is to create intuitive, scalable solutions that make financial management more seamless and accessible. Whether it’s through credit innovation or AI-backed tools, I aim to simplify the complex.
💼 Professional Highlights
Built and scaled Nayan, a growing optical retail chain in Indore
Currently building Leasease, a rent credit platform offering a more flexible and rewarding way to pay rent
Cleared CFA Level 1, and certified in NISM XV and NISM 8, building strong domain expertise in finance and securities markets
Exploring the quant finance and algorithmic trading space, with aspirations of breaking into elite quant firms like Jane Street
🤖 Interests
I’m drawn to the intersection of AI, data science, and finance, especially in areas like dynamic pricing, credit modeling, and automated trading. I’m actively sharpening my coding and quantitative skills to build disruptive tools for the financial markets.
🏃♂️ Outside Work
When I’m not building or coding, I’m training for endurance races, organizing basketball tournaments, or experimenting with sports nutrition. I thrive on pushing my limits — mentally and physically.
🚀 Let’s Connect
I’m always open to connecting with VCs, fintech operators, or anyone passionate about transforming finance. Let’s build the future of financial infrastructure — together. 
