PCCA – Pacific Coastal Computing 4 Good | Digital Transformation, Innovation & Talent

PCCA | ABOUT US

The Pacific Coastal Computing Association (PCCA) incorporated in 2020 as a non-profit based in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. PCCA works with partners to promote innovation, diversity & inclusivity in capacity building and positive change in education, the arts, environment, health & wellness and technology.

Our approach to digital transformation advisory and impact projects interweaves strategic thinking of IT infrastructure, tools and technologies alongside the advanced diverse skills needed.

Our umbrella mandate is computing for good (C4G).

Our HEART Focus

H. Healthcare: health & wellbeing, esp. mental health.

E. Environment: sustainability and conservation.

A. The Arts: performing arts, interactive media and A&E.

R. Reconciliation: fostering harmony, diversity & inclusivity.

T. Technology: innovation, applied research, computing 4 good.

SERVICES

CONSULTING / ADVISORY

We provide consulting and advisory services with specializations in applied research and digital transformation, particularly in the areas of healthcare, environment and the arts/digital media. Our framework for digital adoption/transformation consulting/advisory builds on the individual experiences of our team, with the aim of cross-leveraging for new interdisciplinary projects.

CAPACITY BUILDING

We conceptualize, design, team-build, launch and or manage STEM/STEAM capacity building programs with partners in industry, community, non-profit, academia and government. Our goal is to narrow the digital divide between tech-related opportunities and marginalized groups through innovative, diverse and inclusive programs in education, training and upskilling.

C4G PROJECTS

Interdisciplinary Computing for Good project development round out our services. We take on leadership and delivery roles from ideation & strategy, partnership development to final delivery & evaluation, including funding (government, foundations, industry). Making it happen.

PROJECTS

Major C4G partnership projects, ongoing or in development, at Pacific Coastal Computing.

EARTH DATA STORE & ANALYTICS

STEAM, DANCE & RT3D TECH

MENTAL HEALTH & YOUTH

EDUCATION | Strategic Initiative Spotlight

CAPACITY BUILDING FOR DIGITAL PROGRAMS

The PCCA mission to support capacity for digital programs has led to the formation of an initiative aimed at empowering youth or individuals that are re-training to master digital technologies for cloud computing, initially for applications using geospatial data and then broadening to include other types of data store including real-time 3d. These programs are in the midst of development for certification of educational credit.

In preparation for a Digital Supercluster call for capacity building projects, PCCA is continuing to evolve a model that aims to assist in the fostering of digital skills through paired learning, industry-university-and-community collaboration, and social/environmental impact or computing-for-good (C4G) projects. It is envisioned that participating students, both university and community, will be as paid internship, work-integrated-learning or scholarship positions. Support for the hardware and cloud resources will also be worked into the proposal(s).

To join the PCCA EDUCATION email list, please send Yvonne Coady an email at ycoady@coastalcomputing.ca. This email is low noise, and is where new programs/projects and requests for partners will be announced.

EARTH DATA STORE (EDS)

This initiative builds on the ongoing Earth Data Store (EDS) project supported by the Digital Supercluster and other partners.

PAIRED LEARNING | STUDENTS

The initiative is designed as a paired learning experience, including with indigenous high school students from the Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation.

PAIRED LEARNING | PROFESSIONAL

Not just for students. A mid-career professional looking to add a new competency is a great candidate for the program and jointly-designed projects.

TEAM

A forward-looking thinker for education, applied innovation, entrepreneurship and STEM/STEAM diversity & inclusivity, Yvonne brings experience in industry-academic co-operation and capacity building. Yvonne is a computer science professor at the University of Victoria, and visiting professor at the Khoury College of Computer Sciences at Northeastern University. She also serves as an adjunct professor at the Center for Digital Media, a partnership between SFU, UBC, BCIT and ECUAD in Vancouver.

At PCCA, Yvonne leads academic liaison, research and educational programs.

YVONNE COADY Co-Founder & Director

With an entrepreneurial mindset, Sang brings her experience in working with start-ups in digital media & technology. Recently, she was Managing Director & Producer at Shocap Entertainment, bringing together real-time visual effects and human performances into XR storytelling. Other start-ups include Vidigami Media in the EdTech space, and Credo, a university spin-off, in software tools and R&D in digital media.

At PCCA, Sang leads digital adoption/ transformation advisory and project development in digital media, with a special focus on start-ups and SMEs in the A&E and digital media sectors.

SANG MAH Executive Director

Leveraging an international perspective, Nate brings experience in developing integrated learning platforms, updating communication infrastructures and technology consulting. Nate is also the principle of Krafted Solutions, a private consultancy specializing in the digital transformation of the workplace, IT and project management. His skills have been honed in non-profits and industry.

At PCCA, Nate leads digital adoption/ transformation advisory/consulting and project development in healthcare and social services. He also leads on developing the framework for digital transformation advisory.

NATHAN KRAFT Co-Founder & Director

Embracing the Zen of building software to support science and community, Derek brings deep technical knowledge from his years in the tech industry in senior roles with corporations, start-ups and non-profits. After a decade at Microsoft leading teams in Windows system administration tools, and at Microsoft Research working on speech recognition, Derek returned to academia to complete a PhD at the University of Victoria.

At PCCA, Derek leads on environmental computing and education.

DEREK JACOBY Co-Founder & Director

Fungi: Inspirational model based on nurturing relationships & co-operation.

KEY PARTNERS To Be Announced.

Busy Bees: It is not how busy you are, but why you are busy.

ADVISORS To Be Announced