CHAPTER DIRECTOR

Derrick Ortiz started his journey in tech while still in high school. He loaded up on several career readiness courses including Cyber Security Crime & Computer Forensics, CompTIA A+, N+, Sec+, and CCNA. His career grew quickly from small scale computer repair to Systems Administration consulting. After being laid-off during the recession of 2008 from an IT Managed Service Provider, Derrick went back to school to expand his horizons.

Along with the general trials of pursuing a STEM degree, Derrick was a first generation Latino student with a learning disability. In 2018 he graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Physics with coursework in Computer Science, Computational Physics, and Astrophysics.

Now, Derrick is an advocate for anyone looking to find their path to STEM careers. He aspires to be an advocate for students of economic disparity, under-represented minorities, first generation college students, women in STEM, neuro diverse students, LGTBQIA+ and anyone with a passion for learning.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Anastasia Zamora-Ortiz is all about forging new pathways and pursuing non-traditional routes. Early in her life, she was told many things she could and could not accomplish based on demographics. Born to a Latina teen mother in a zip code that was underrepresented, she felt the constraints on her life both overtly and discreetly. Today, she uses similar demographic data to show what can be done when the right factors come into play.

With a natural aptitude for communication, Anastasia started as a journalism major, convinced math was her weak point. However, when she took her first college level science course she decided she wanted to be on ground zero of new technologies. Several advanced mathematics and programming classes later, she transferred into a STEM program at a polytechnic university. Never one to settle, she graduated with three interdisciplinary degrees all surrounding topics in Science, Technology, & Society.

Communication is still where Anastasia's natural aptitude lies and so she spends her days and nights telling stories. By day she is a data analyst, turning large data sets into visual reports, and in her spare time she is a novelist. She is passionate about using all mediums available to help the communities around her reach the education and career opportunities through non-linear methods.

CHAPTER SECRETARY

What Christian Luna likes about technology is that it never ceases to stop advancing and impressing and that is how he strives to be as a person. He is passionate about accumulating knowledge that will help him grow and be successful and wants to help others do the same.

Experienced in the home automation industry, he has netted over a thousand residential home security system installations as well as a handful of commercial buildings. As assistant operations manager, his responsibilities included overseeing other technicians in the field and providing leadership.

In his free time, Christian enjoys outdoor activities like fishing, skateboarding and hiking as well as playing video games and listening to music. He finds that balance between technology and nature is crucial in his life.

CHAPTER TREASURER

Please email info@raicescyber.org if you are interested in volunteering