The center announced on Thursday the creation of an Innovation and Incubation (I+I) Fellowship to tackle some of the most complex social challenges by exploring and evaluating data and tech tools that could potentially enhance government services. The 12- to 24-month-long program will allow Beeck Center to dive into new technology that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in civic tech, focusing specifically on “human-centered solutions” that address gaps in public service accessibility and equity.
“As we celebrate the Beeck Center’s 10th anniversary, we are proud to announce the new Innovation and Incubation Fellowship,” Lynn Overmann, Executive Director of the Beeck Center, said in a news release. “Through this fellowship, we look forward to providing an opportunity for experts to research, test and learn, particularly in areas where there are gaps in the field or where there are underserved populations, helping to ensure continuous innovation in our efforts to enable governments to better meet people’s needs.”
On Thursday, the center also announced the first I+I fellow who will participate in the program — Maya Uppaluru Mechenbier, who previously worked as project lead for the U.S. Digital Service at the White House, and is a product counsel and policy expert in health care, digital innovation and social safety net programs.
In a statement, Mechenbier reflected on her hopes for the program, sharing her commitment to making a meaningful impact through the I+I Fellowship.
“I’m looking forward to building upon the Beeck Center’s legacy of advancing human-centered solutions that improve people’s lives by exploring and developing new insights about promising and scalable interventions that improve economic outcomes for young families,” Mechenbier said.
The I+I Fellowship was made possible by an $8 million gift from the Ballmer Group, and by funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, per the news release.
