SHUBHA BALA
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People, Processes and Tech
for Social Justice

What I do

I am a technologist, facilitator, and artist with a creative and collaborative approach to helping your organization find technology and process solutions. I use an equity and people-first lens to identify the root of your problems, and I aim to discover solutions through technology, process-design and cultural-change roadmaps, trainings, identification and management of vendors where appropriate, and ultimately put your organization on the path towards success. 
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Having been both on the consultant side and the director of technology side, I know what matters beyond technical experience: clear and frequent communication, a relationship of trust, being provided options with guidance, and someone who thinks about the big picture and the small details.
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Experience

I'm a computer and electrical engineer (University of Toronto) with a masters in international affairs (Columbia University) who has worked for two decades in the non-profit and social justice sector. From director of technology, to consultant, to program staffer, and even radio producer, I know what it is like to sit in every seat at the table at non-profits large and small. I am currently the Director of Operations for MediaJustice where I bring my process-oriented lens and equity-centered approach to create long-term sustainability for our organization.

I’ve led small and gigantic technology projects —  many were successes, and others were learning experiences! So I have a keen eye towards asking the right questions, in the right way, of the right people. My experience means that I am well versed in the short-term impact, and long-term impact, of any technology project.

Examples

  • Managing several website projects using creative activities to identify website goals, helping to define a budget-appropriate scope, finding a vendor using a formal RFP process, and managing all stakeholders.
  • Helping Wiggle Room, a start-up for low-income New Yorkers to access childcare — creating and managing a product roadmap, assessing the current technology, managing external developers, and creating user how-to guides. I also helped with marketing.
  • Creating an interactive, online game for the Center for Court Innovation and NYC that allows New Yorkers to have an engaging alternative to paying a fine. This work included identifying needs, finding a vendor, engaging subject matter experts, conducting user testing, and managing our vendors and partners.
  • Identifying needs around volunteer management for a restorative justice project, and identifying the best platform that met those needs within budget.
  • Creating a custom health-check platform and human-centered process for COVID-wellness during the pandemic for the Center for Court Innovation.  
  • Helping Legal Hand figure out a creative within-budget solution to improving the experience for their clients - community members seeking civil legal help - and their volunteers - fellow community members wanting to offer help. Through this process I prioritized their needs, identified which ones could be solved via technology vs a new process, and creatively repurposed affordable, commercial software to allow their volunteers to focus on relationship building instead of paperwork.
I’ve done work for:
  • Center for Court Innovation
  • New Sanctuary Coalition / The SIJS Project
  • DataKind
  • American Public Media
  • Media Development Investment Fund
  • Yoni Ki Raat NYC
  • MediaJustice
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