Advances in technology have provided many with opportunities, but according to the Cognizant Foundation, “Far too few have access to the quality education, training, and job opportunities required to improve their economic and social mobility.”

The Cognizant Foundation partners with grantees to “rethink the pathways into and through the tech sector, grow more diverse talent pipelines, and fundamentally reimagine the education and workforce systems.”

Hannah Lee, director at the Cognizant Foundation, says it’s important to include communities that have historically been excluded. “It’s not a skills gap. It’s an opportunity gap. We have so many folks that have the skills to excel in jobs in technology. If we do not do something now, we are going to continue to bifurcate the labor markets of those that have, and those that have not.”

“And it is important for innovation at companies. It’s important as we think about building inclusive technology and software, that we are ensuring that all have access to the jobs of today and tomorrow, and especially those in technology.”

Click here to learn more about Cognizant Foundation.

WorkingNation—a collaborating partner of the ASU+GSV Summit—sat down with Lee in San Diego as part of our #WorkingNationOverheard social media series.

Hear from more innovators in education and tech in the public, private, and nonprofit spheres attending the ASU+GSV Summit 2021 here.

Follow the conversation on social media: #asugsvsummit #workingnationoverheard