As dedicated and resourceful individual with a strong commitment to her roots as a Native American and her drive to empower her community, Althea recognized the transformative potential of technology and sought to acquire the necessary skills to uplift her family and local community.
Originally hailing from the Navajo Nation, Althea embarked on a journey that took her to New England, where she pursued her undergraduate education. Her thirst for knowledge and her determination to make a difference led her to Cozykin, a pioneering startup providing nanny share services to families in the Greater Boston Area.
Beginning her tenure at CozyKin as a nanny, Althea quickly ascended to a pivotal role at the company's headquarters as a Care Manager. During her tenure at CozyKin, she contributed significantly to enhancing the user experience for the community of nannies. Which was then used to start a nanny management product to help the communication between nannies and families. Althea was also the primary owner of a program called Backup Care, which ensured uninterrupted care for families when their designated nannies were unavailable. With very little oversight she managed between 15-30 nannies at any given time.
To manage this workload, Althea created a scheduling system using Airtable, Slack and Zapier. The needs were constantly changing, and despite attempts to automate the processes, there were too many human variables to account for—hours needed by the family, hours nannies could be available, nanny training status and certification credentials, conflicts with nanny interviews for permanent placement, allergies for all parties, locations, transportation, family preferences, and so on. Her role demanded adaptability in the face of ever-changing variables, even having her stepping in as a substitute nanny when necessary, all while effectively fulfilling her managerial duties. Her two years at CozyKin were a testament to her ability to thrive in a startup environment and her belief in technology's potential to enrich lives.
In 2019, CozyKin ceased operations, prompting Althea to return to full-time nanny work. However, her passion for technology and her desire to make a broader impact never waned. In 2022, she made a pivotal decision to broaden her horizons by enrolling in the Flatiron School in Colorado. There, she completed a rigorous 15-week program focused on the fundamentals of Software Engineering.
Althea's aspiration is clear—to harness the power of computers to improve the lives of children and those in need on a larger scale. Her vision encompasses a world where technology is thoughtfully designed to support caregivers, children, and individuals requiring assistance. Armed with new found software skills, creativity, and adaptability, Althea is poised to embark on a journey to create opportunities and make a meaningful difference for those who require help.
"I want to be part of a world where we can design technology for caregivers, children and those in need. I know that software, along with my creativity and adaptability are the key to any path I want to take to make sure all those who need help are given an opportunity."