“We have an unprecedented opportunity – and responsibility – to center our shared humanity in the creation of new technological tools. To ensure a just and equitable tomorrow, we must commit to ethical design, development, and deployment of tools today.”

-VILAS DHAR, PRESIDENT

In an increasingly digitally-enabled world, we believe that data science and artificial intelligence (AI) can be tremendous forces for public good. To realize this potential, we need novel AI solutions that address specific data and technological challenges among civil society organizations and initiatives. Our goal is to develop open-source, public good data and AI products to foster a collaborative and sustainable community of practice around these solutions.

The Critical Need for Data Solutions in Civil Society

New solutions for global challenges: Those at the frontline of vulnerability need new capacity to address global challenges.

Technology & data capacity: Organizations need new forms of access to the personnel, infrastructure, or strategic capacity to build AI-driven products.

People-centered products: Technology built for purpose prioritizes the needs of those whose livelihoods are most affected by technology.

Amplified impact: Existing community-driven solutions leverage localized knowledge–AI and data solutions can help generalize and expand the reach of these interventions.

Safety & responsibility: Transparent practices can guide the safe and ethical development and deployment of emerging technology.

The Data Solutions charter is to identify, develop, and deploy strategic data and AI products to unlock opportunity and address broad challenges within the social good sector.

We accomplish this by engaging in two areas:
1. Data and AI Product Development
2. Product Management and Technical Consultations 

Our Products

Safety & Ethics in Our Products

Our commitment to safety and ethics is reinforced by an ongoing and iterative process of planning, development, testing, and deployment. Our approach relies upon transparent, intentional, and deliberate engagement with stakeholders, asking difficult questions of ourselves and other diverse voices. In doing so, we adhere to responsible and transparent data practices and ensure safe and appropriate use of our products.

For more information, contact: datasolutions@mcgovern.org.

Meet the Data Solutions Team

Hazem Mahmoud

Director, Data Solutions

Hazem provides direct technical assistance around Data Analytics, Engineering and Operations to Foundation grantees and partner organizations.

More about Hazem Mahmoud

Before focusing on nonprofits, Hazem worked with Cloudera Inc.’s leading clients in designing, architecting and deploying the Cloudera platform. Hazem spent over 15 years in systems engineering and DevOps roles, in the banking, advertising, and mobile industries. Hazem has a BS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Michigan and an MS Information Systems from Metropolitan State University.

Vanessa Studnick

Technical Product Manager

Vanessa supports the Data Solutions team partnering with engineers, data scientists, partners and local communities to drive the vision and execution of AI-based product development and deployment for the social good.

More about Vanessa Studnick

Vanessa is a strategic technology leader who blends business acumen with technical expertise. With 10+ years’ technical experience in cloud computing, product management, data governance, technology integrations and program management at Fortune 500 corporations as well as start-up organizations. Vanessa identifies problematic issues and challenges, creating simple solutions to complex business problems.

Valmik Patel

Data Scientist, Data Solutions

Valmik focuses on supporting the Data Solutions team by using artificial intelligence and machine learning to create technology products that make a positive impact.

More about Valmik Patel

Valmik has a bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Bombay and a masters in Data Science from Columbia University. He worked in data science and machine learning engineering roles in the fintech, advertising, and privacy tech industries before joining PJMF. Valmik enjoys watching soccer, gaming, hiking, and reading in his spare time.

Dan Bernstein

Software Development Engineer, Data Solutions

Dan develops software using a variety of languages and frameworks to develop web applications and databases to help the Data Solutions team build new digital tools for civil society.

More about Dan Bernstein

Before PJMF, Dan was a Data Engineer at LSC, a U.S. non-profit for funding civil legal aid. He spearheaded the Civil Court Data Initiative, analyzing millions of court records to aid legal outreach. He initiated LSC’s data-sharing with universities and Federal agencies for eviction and debt defense. Dan also advised social justice groups on using data for advocacy in housing, criminal justice, and public health.