Embarking on a new role with the Foundation

Today we are excited to share the news that Giustina is returning from maternity leave and embarking on a new role in the Raspberry Pi Foundation as Director of Strategic Partnerships. Giustina has contributed so much to the CoderDojo movement over the past 7 years since joining as the very first employee of the Foundation. We are so excited to see her continue to be involved in CoderDojo and contribute to the movement. 

“I remember the day that James Whelton approached me about joining what would ultimately become known as the CoderDojo Foundation. We had met through Dogpatch Labs, a co-working space in Dublin. I was familiar with CoderDojo which at the time was beginning to explode. Clubs were springing up in the four corners of Ireland and abroad starting in American, the UK and Japan.” 

Community, Mission and Impact

“James was starting a Foundation to support the movement and asked if I would join him on the adventure. I knew CoderDojo was special, and it required almost no convincing to join a fledgling start-up charity. That was over seven years ago. What kept me at CoderDojo was the community, the mission and the impact.”

“Over the past seven years, I’ve had more roles than I can count. From July 2016, I’ve been privileged to hold the role of Executive Director. Responsible for leading the team as we as an organisation matured; joining forces with Raspberry Pi Foundation and as the CoderDojo movement evolved. 

As I return from maternity leave, I’ll be returning to a new role as Director of Strategic Partnerships with the Raspberry Pi Foundation. I look forward to still supporting CoderDojo and being involved in Coolest Projects but from a new perspective.” 

As a part of the Foundation, Giustina watched hundreds of new champions succeed in starting and running clubs in their local areas. She saw them grow in their skills and experience. Meeting and learning from inspiring volunteers, many of which she counts as long-term friends. She heard from clubs empowering children with code in hospitals, on boats, on buses as well as in libraries and community venues across more than 100 countries. Giustina has tested out attendees projects and saw them have their work recognised as part of our Coolest Projects events.

Thanks for everything! the happiness of the young was the biggest prize we could win pic.twitter.com/2J7GkOwvmh

— Cidadãos Esposende (@ACEsposende) May 7, 2019

We look forward to watching her continue to spread the word of CoderDojo and Coolest Projects along with our additional programmes within the Raspberry Pi Foundation family in her new position.