Meet the leaders
Our team brings a wealth of diverse experiences and skills to the digital equity arena. From policy-making and technological upgrades in educational institutions to innovative community outreach and strategic leadership in global technology markets, our collective background is ideally suited for advancing digital equity initiatives. We have members who have directly influenced digital policy, led large-scale technology upgrades, and implemented effective digital strategies in various sectors, ensuring that our project is grounded in practical expertise and visionary leadership.
Teresa Rush-Edwards
Executive Director | Co-Founder | Chairman
Teresa Rush-Edwards' role as Director of Global Technology Integration at Lenovo, combined with her educational and technological endeavors in North Carolina, demonstrates a unique synergy of global expertise and local commitment. Her leadership in deploying technology and digital initiatives across diverse environments is crucial for addressing digital equity challenges specific to North Carolina. Teresa's ability to manage large-scale technology projects, manage partnerships, and build relationships with a vast array of corporate and non-profit entities, her roots in rural Richmond County, and her familiarity with the state's tech landscape make her an invaluable asset to our initiative. Her grassroots teaching experience at Richmond Community College in NC and Piedmont VA Community College highlights her commitment to making technology accessible across diverse populations. Her efforts in teaching Microsoft Windows, computing, and math skills to students of varying backgrounds, including those lacking basic literacy skills, reflect her skill in adapting to different learning needs. Additionally, Teresa's pursuit of further education, including an MBA from NC State University in her 40s and a Master's in Christian Practice from Duke University in her 50s, underscores her lifelong dedication to learning and faith. This blend of global technological leadership, local educational involvement in North Carolina, and her desire to share your experience and learnings for kingdom impact position her ideally for our digital equity initiative.
Dr. Eric Edwards
Director | Co-founder | Board member
Dr. Eric Edwards brings a wealth of experience in all aspects of technology implementations, from requirements gathering, prioritizing, user education, user acceptance testing, and project managing the development and deployment activities. His proven skills in financial management complement his expertise in integrating technology in various settings. His career includes significant contributions such as supporting a $3 billion retail business portfolio, introducing agile methodologies to improve delivery cycles, and implementing cost-saving IT and software development strategies. In addition to these accomplishments, Dr. Edwards has served as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Industrial Facilities and Pollution Authority Board in Durham County, NC, since 2018. This role, which involves financing industrial and manufacturing facilities to improve employment and wages in the area, underscores his expertise in strategic financial planning and community development. In addition to Dr. Edwards’ professional achievements, he has vocationally been an active leader in the church, serving as an elder, deacon, and other leadership roles. His vocational experience has provided a deep understanding of church operations and management. Dr. Edwards’ skills will be invaluable in managing the finances and budgets of our digital literacy programs, as well as ensuring efficient and effective use of time and resources.
Kenya Ford
Board member
Kenya Ford brings extensive experience in client services, program management, and customer experience spans over 15 years across the health, financial, and tech industries, refining her skills in project management, marketing operations, brand identity, user experience, and leadership development. Her most recent accomplishment has been receiving her Executive MBA from Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a dual concentration in Leadership & Strategy and Organizational Management. As a digital marketing consultant, she is always seeking to learn and innovate, using creativity and processes to bring ideas to life. She is passionate about creating exceptional products and initiatives, enhancing user experience, and boosting customer engagement while surpassing business goals. Her focus is on building brand awareness by delivering impactful customer experiences through top-notch marketing strategies. She manages marketing campaigns and initiatives by leveraging industry trends, combining Agile and Waterfall methodologies, applying user experience knowledge, analyzing analytics, and adhering to best practice guidelines. She demonstrates effective leadership and organizational development skills, leading cross-functional global teams and establishing strong customer partnerships. Kenya’s expertise will be invaluable in providing a distinct combination of marketing, operations, and customer experience while bridging the digital divide in rural North Carolina.
