Transforming Education System with iUrban Teen Program, Deena Pierott

Deena Pierott is the founder and executive director of the iUrban Teen program, which introduces “non-traditional” STEM learners to professional prospects while encouraging high school graduation and further education.
She is also the President of Mosaic Blueprint, a Pacific Northwest organization specialized in multicultural branding, career preparedness, and mapping, and diversity consulting and recruiting. She had a remarkable career in both the commercial and public sectors before starting her firms, including Exxon, Mattel Toys, the City of Portland, and the City of Seattle.

iUrban Teen is an all-day summit that includes hands-on workshops, tours of industry-leading enterprises, and leadership development courses. The iUrban Teen program now works with about 9,000 children, has a student retention rate of 82 percent, and has expanded to over six states and counting, potentially, professional professions in less than three years.

Deena was named a White House Champion of Change for Technology Inclusion by former President Barack Obama in 2013. Deena is a sought-after international speaker and diversity strategist. Deena has presented at the White House STEM Summit in Washington, DC, and has spoken at institutions across the country. She has also worked for several Fortune 500 organizations, including Microsoft and Starbucks. Deena’s achievements have been highlighted in major magazines such as Essence, Ebony, the Chicago Tribune, NPR, and Forbes.

She holds some prestigious awards and honors such as Essence Magazine Top 50 Black Female Founders, Washington State African American Achievement Award, Clark College Iris Award, Alpha Kappa Alpha Global Impact Award, Whitney M. Young Award, and many others.