We provide secure, accessible, capacity-building technology —that’s good.

We provide it within the context of a dynamic cooperative—that’s IMPACT!

Northbridge Technology Alliance is an innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit technology cooperative that builds the capacity of social justice leaders. We share a common goal of advancing society through the principles of systemic equity and sustainability.

Our technology is tailored to the unique needs of those working within social justice. Our principled members, staff, and volunteers come together to build member-driven, open-source, end-to-end encrypted, and affordable software solutions.

Visit our Membership page for more information about where your dues go and how you can join our growing cooperative.

Mission

We create software solutions for charitable organizations engaged in social justice and community-building efforts so that their collective impact is increased.

Vision

We envision a world where technological innovation creates sustainable and forward-thinking solutions that address the hardest social problems facing humanity.

Our Guiding Principles

The people we serve are the experts about their own needs.

Technology is a means to, not a measure of, progress.

Effective solutions are tangible, sustainable and cross-organizational.

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  • 2011

    Incorporated in metro-Chicago as 501(c)(3) social enterprise

    Incorporated in metro-Chicago as 501(c)(3) social enterprise

    June 11, 2011
  • 2013

    Launched first cooperative real-time messaging project to support Chicago-based activism

    Launched first cooperative real-time messaging project to support Chicago-based activism

    June 10, 2013
  • 2015

    Nexus Collaboration Suite pilot launch – 25 teams

    Nexus Collaboration Suite pilot launch – 25 teams

    June 10, 2015
  • 2017

    Nexus Web Meet official launch – 60 teams / 300 users

    Nexus Web Meet official launch – 60 teams / 300 users

    June 10, 2017
  • 2018

    Nexus Web Meet Tech Grant awards to 15 local, regional and national social justice teams

    Nexus Web Meet Tech Grant awards to 15 local, regional and national social justice teams

    June 10, 2018
  • 2019

    Nexus Web Meet mobile client launch while new co-op feature ideas pour in

    Nexus Web Meet mobile client launch while new co-op feature ideas pour in

    June 10, 2019
  • 2020

    What’s next? Join us and you get to write the next chapter!

    What’s next? Join us and you get to write the next chapter!

    June 10, 2020

Board of Directors

Kathy D. Flint

Interim President, Founder, CEO, Northbridge Tech. Alliance; Univ of Chicago, M.S.

Prior to founding Northbridge, Kathy served in a variety of Fortune 500 corporate software engineering and leadership roles. She is a tireless advocate for harnessing technological innovation to the service of social progress. When not coding, leading volunteers, speaking, or fundraising for Northbridge, Kathy enjoys playing the cello and figuring out how to be the mother of two brilliant teenagers in Evanston, Illinois.

Dimeji Onafuwa

Principal, MEJI Design Consultancy; Carnegie Mellon, Ph.D.

Dr. Dimeji Onafuwa is a designer, researcher, and consultant with over 15 years experience in transition design, design strategy, UX research, service design, social design as well as new approaches to design thinking and practice. Dimeji earned his Ph.D. in Design from Carnegie Mellon University where his research sought to understand commons-based approaches to user experience on platforms. Dimeji presently leads research that relates to employee experience at Microsoft.

Angela Spinazze

Founder and Principal, ATSPIN consulting; Chicago; School of the Art Institute of Chicago, M.A.

Angela is a designer of conversations and a steward of participatory processes. She works with artists and creative non profits that are engaged in assessment, strategy, program, and project planning initiatives. Her methodology is grounded in the principles of user-centered and asset based design, agile development, and urban acupuncture.

Dan Terrasi

Business Information Officer at U.S. Bank

Dan Terrasi is a senior Information technology leader in the financial services industry. His experience includes knowledge of industry trends in the modern digital era, and the ability to assess the value proposition on a wide range of proposed technology solutions.

Our Founder

In 2011, Kathy D. Flint founded Northbridge Technology Alliance in order to realize her vision for bringing technological innovation into the service of social progress. In 2013, she shifted her professional focus from the corporate sector to the non-profit sector in order to lead Northbridge to its full potential. Prior to founding Northbridge, Kathy served in a variety of Fortune, 500 corporate software engineering and leadership roles. Most recently she was positioned with U.S. Bancorp as a Development Manager for Internet and Electronic Payments, where she led enterprise-scale software engineering, architecture, and security efforts supporting $5 billion in electronic financial transactions annually. When not coding, leading volunteers, speaking, or fundraising for Northbridge, Kathy enjoys playing the cello and figuring out how to be the mother of two brilliant teenagers in Evanston, Illinois.

Kathy holds an M.S. with honors from University of Chicago.