November Thinker: Andrea Delgado-Olson

Andrea Delgado-Olson is a powerful advocate for Indigenous representation in tech. Born in Oakland, California, she grew up influenced by her Miwok heritage and inspired by her mother, a federal attorney who demonstrated resilience and leadership. This foundation instilled in Andrea a drive for community impact, leading her to an early teaching career before discovering her passion for technology.

Early Life

Initially a preschool teacher for 15 years, Andrea returned to school in 2013, studying at Mills College, where a computer science course ignited her interest in tech. She earned her Master’s in Computer Science in 2015. Her experience at the Grace Hopper Celebration during graduate school inspired her to establish Native American Women in Computing (NAWiC) to provide community and resources to Indigenous women in technology across North and South America.

Work and contribution 

Andrea co-founded Zaawink in 2020, a privacy-focused tech solution aimed at safely monitoring workplace health during the COVID-19 pandemic. By using wearable tech, Zaawink offered secure, anonymized temperature monitoring, balancing employee privacy with workplace safety. Though the company closed in 2022, it served as an innovative response to pandemic challenges.

Currently, as the executive director of IndigiGenius, Andrea works to connect Indigenous youth with pathways into tech careers, inspiring them to embrace technology in alignment with their cultural identities. 

Through NAWiC, Zaawink, and IndigiGenius, Andrea’s legacy is a blend of community-building, cultural advocacy, and tech innovation, paving the way for future generations of Indigenous leaders in tech.

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Missed our October Thinker? Learn about Frank S. Greene, a scientist, entrepreneur, and advocate for diversity in the fields of science and technology.

For more information about STEAM Ahead, visit us at www.westeamahead.org