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Dr. Kortney Ziegler
Pioneering Social Impact Tech Entrepreneur | Visiting Social Entrepreneur at Stanford Graduate School of Business | Camelback Fellow 2024
Dr. Kortney Ziegler is a multifaceted entrepreneur, scholar, and innovator who founded WellMoney, a community-driven financial platform designed to provide immediate, no-strings-attached financial support to individuals facing emergencies.12
Background and Education
Dr. Ziegler has an impressive academic background:
- B.A. in Film and Digital Media with a minor in Computer Science from UC Santa Cruz (2003)4
- M.A. in Ethnic Studies with a concentration in Black Studies from San Francisco State University (2005)4
- M.A. in African-American and Black Studies from Northwestern University (2008)4
- Ph.D. in African American Studies from Northwestern University (2011), becoming the first to graduate with this degree from the institution4
Entrepreneurial Journey
Dr. Ziegler is a serial entrepreneur who has founded several impactful ventures:
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WellMoney: His current venture, a community-driven financial platform that pools member contributions to support those facing financial emergencies.2
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Appolition: A crowdfunding platform that raised over $1 million to pay bail for people who couldn't afford it. It was recognized as one of the World's Most Innovative Companies by FastCompany.2
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Trans*H4ck: A hackathon initiative that empowered trans people in the tech industry, influencing policy changes and career opportunities.4
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ZaMLabs (formerly Black Star Media): A production company through which he created the award-winning documentary "Still Black: a portrait of black transmen".4
Expertise and Focus
Dr. Ziegler is passionate about using simple but proven technologies for social good.5 His work focuses on:
- Developing tech solutions that increase financial and social prosperity2
- Addressing systemic barriers and creating impactful change1
- Championing financial inclusivity and empowerment3
- Supporting the Black diaspora through solution-driven products6
Dr. Ziegler's innovative approach and commitment to social impact have earned him recognition as an award-winning entrepreneur and a trailblazer in using technology for social justice.46
