Our Team
Tim Weeden, Founder
Tim Weeden had a defining experience in elementary and primary school, sparking his desire to begin Tech Turn Up. He continually looked for ways to do things differently, asked a billion questions, and questioned textbook answers. His thought process consisted of questioning, reaching, and addressing other variables that could affect the real-world response.
However, for most of his teachers, this was an issue. He was advised to memorize the answers. He repeatedly questioned his abilities, asking himself, “Am I smart? Will I be able to make it into college?”
A teacher introduced Tim to his friend from IBM one day after school. This teacher recognized Tim’s abilities and wanted to help channel his gifts by creating an internship opportunity at IBM.
Tim’s need for discovery later took him to Sweden, where he worked with a Swedish music firm, Sony Music Publishing, and a tech sound development company. He created the first R&B/Rap soul music school in Sweden. He became the ambassador of music with sponsorship from the German consulate to travel to Uganda to teach music business management. Tim was given a grant from the Irish Arts and Culture department to teach literacy and write a module for Irish teachers using popular American music culture. He received his Master's in Educational Leadership and School Improvement from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.
Tim hopes to inspire and encourage young people to realize their gifts and talents. Tim firmly believes that one should never shy away from embracing new experiences. He thinks it's not about memorizing subjects to take a test but fully engaging, having fun, and applying it to the real world.
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Jonathan Asamoah
Tech Intern Teacher
Jonathan Asamoah is a student at American University. He was born in DC but has lived elsewhere for the majority of his life, including South Africa, England, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast. He is majoring in Political Science and minoring in Entrepreneurship alongside an interest in coding. Through Tech Turn Up, he intends to further amplify the importance of technology in children’s education.
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Ankur Gyawali
Ankur Gyawali is from Nepal. He is a student at Howard University pursuing his undergraduate studies in Computer Science.
He is passionate about integrating technology into society for the advancement of public interest technology, as he believes in the power of education and its transformative impact on individuals and communities.
During this summer camp, he engaged with the students and guided them to learn necessary technological skills in this ever-evolving digital world. -
Eloah Makassi
Tech Intern Teacher
Eloah is a student at American University studying International Studies. She plans on fulfilling a career in youth development. She has spent time in Ghana, participating in the Department of State exchange program. During her time abroad, she worked with the disadvantaged youth of Accra, helping them seek a better future through education.
She believes that the advancement of all youth, specifically African youth, can be reformed by providing opportunities and skills to understand the relevant technology of today.
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Brandon Smith
Tech Intern Teacher
Brandon Smith was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a student at American University, majoring in journalism with a minor in economics. He hopes to use his college education to bring objective, impartial reporting back to the media. During his tenure with Tech Turn Up, he instilled a basic understanding of technology in America’s future generations and enhanced his technological skills. He has a background in podcasting, photography, and digital media, and he passed on these skills to the students.
Our Board
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Jennifer Nixon
Board Chair
Jennifer Nixon is on a mission to increase the knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in her community. She works as a Sr. Systems Analyst and also holds a Doctorate in Information Technology. Her areas of emphasis are strategic analysis, organizational change and culture, and streamlining systems. She enjoys helping people, especially youth and women, understand and grow their potential.
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Chris McBride
Board Vice Chair
Chris McBride is Executive Director of Growth Marketing at The Walt Disney Company. Prior to Disney he served in executive roles at FYE, Fox Mobile Group, and eMusic. Chris was also the founder of three digital media startups and the publisher of award-winning digital cookbooks. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Genetic Disease Foundation for over 15 years and holds a B.A. from American University in Washington, D.C.
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Clara Scott
Board Secretary
Ciara Scott is a Human Resources Systems Analyst within her county's government. She is a daughter, sister, and friend to many. A phrase she lived by is "live a purpose-driven life." Her goal is to inspire the people she encounters to achieve their highest potential in their careers or personal lives.
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Michael Eskenazi
Board Member
After graduating from American University in Washington, D.C. and earning his master's from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, Michael spent several years as a journalist. His journalism career began at one of the nation's newspapers in Alexandria, Virginia, before he moved on to work for Reuters News Service and then Time Magazine. As a journalist, he focused on business and public education, and wrote frequently for a wide range of national publications about the need to expand universal pre-k and alternative public schooling. He also spent several years working in education policy for the National Center for Schools and Communities at Fordham University before attending law school. His legal experience includes both criminal prosecution, as an assistant district attorney in Brooklyn, NY and civil litigation with private law firms. All the while, he’s maintained an interest in public education and youth programming, including serving on his community board in New York City.
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Babu Jackson
Board Member
Babu Jackson is the Vice President of Information Technology at the American Clean Power Association, with over 20 years of experience in technology leadership. He previously led digital transformations as CTO and Director of IT at the Bipartisan Policy Center. Babu is dedicated to fostering innovation, empowering teams, and nurturing professional growth. He is deeply committed to advancing STEM learning and education in the tech community.
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Drew Morton
Board Member
Drew Morton is the Digital Experience Manager responsible for various strategic areas at the Change Well Project, including graphic design, website management, digital event coordination, and digital human resources. With over 20 years of experience as an Advisor to non-profit and non-governmental organizations, Drew is a highly skilled "jack of all trades" who provides professional services in digital marketing, people operations, change
management, and business process implementation and delivery. Before joining Change Well Project, Drew was Human Resources Advisor and Program Manager of the Agency Wellness, Leave, and Purchasing programs for the District of Columbia Government, Senior Administrator for Programs and Operations for the YWCA National Office, Human Resources Administrator for the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Development Associate for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and Administration & Finance Officer for the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children of Washington DC.