Wevise | Remote | Volunteer (15-20 hours/week)
Commitment: Minimum one-year term
Reports to: Board of Directors
About Wevise
Talent is everywhere. Access isn’t.
Wevise is a nonprofit on a mission to break down barriers in tech by connecting underserved, underrepresented, and disadvantaged individuals with mentors, training, and opportunities to enter and advance in the technology industry. We help people gain the networks, soft skills, confidence, and career pathways that can transform their futures—often doubling their income and opening doors that were once closed.
We are a volunteer-run organization focused on:
- Making access to technology careers more deliberate and more equitable.
- Connecting people with the experience, relationships, and opportunities that help them enter and thrive in tech.
- Partnering with organizations that need mentorship and career placement programs to complement their core programming.
- Supporting companies in finding exceptional candidates from all backgrounds.
Our work includes two major programs:
- A free, on-demand mentorship platform that matches individuals with mentors based on their needs, interests, and experiences.
- The TechPath Alliance, a six‑month, city-focused mentoring and career development program currently being piloted in Chicago, with a medium-term goal of expanding to six U.S. cities by 2027 and doubling that by 2029.
Long-term, Wevise aims to grow globally—building collaborative, community-driven programs that create equitable paths into and through technology.
Position Summary
Wevise is seeking a visionary, relationship-driven, charismatic volunteer CEO to serve as the face and voice of our movement. This is a hands-on, high-impact role for a leader ready to shape Wevise’s future, expand visibility, build meaningful partnerships, and secure the resources needed to grow our impact. You will lead with purpose, urgency, and a clear mandate: fund our future. The CEO will act as chief fundraiser, strategic builder, and chief evangelist—turning support for our mission into action. You will guide a lean, highly engaged volunteer leadership team while laying the foundation for a future paid executive structure.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising & Development (Primary Focus – 50%)
- Build and execute a multi-channel fundraising strategy targeting individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors.
- Develop strong relationships with donors, funders, grantmakers, and corporate partners.
- Create opportunities for people to contribute and make the case for why investing in access to tech careers matters.
- Secure six‑figure annual funding to support program growth and organizational sustainability.
Visibility & Advocacy (20%)
- Serve as Wevise’s Chief Evangelist—representing the organization at conferences, media interviews, public forums, and fundraising events.
- Communicate our mission clearly, authentically, and compellingly across digital platforms, press outreach, and thought leadership.
- Build strategic partnerships with tech companies, diversity advocates, and philanthropic leaders to amplify our mission.
Strategic & Organizational Leadership (30%)
- Guide execution of the strategic plan in partnership with the Board of Directors and senior volunteer leadership.
- Uphold legal and ethical standards for 501(c)(3) governance and reporting.
- Operate effectively in a lean, resource-constrained environment while championing a future vision that includes growth toward a paid executive structure.
- Help shape Wevise while it is still being built—turning ideas into real, scalable initiatives.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone who knows how to build relationships that create momentum.
You might come from nonprofit leadership, fundraising, advocacy, community building, philanthropy, sales, partnerships, or mission-driven business development. Your background matters less than your ability to connect with people, earn trust, communicate a compelling story, and turn relationships into action.
You should be comfortable:
- Talking to donors and potential funders
- Building relationships from scratch
- Representing an organization publicly
- Asking people to support something they believe in
- Communicating a mission clearly and authentically
- Working with a small, highly engaged volunteer leadership team
- Operating without a large staff or established infrastructure
- Taking an idea and turning it into something real
Qualifications
- Proven track record of building relationships that lead to sales, partnerships, or major gifts; or experience with nonprofit/cause-based fundraising.
- Demonstrated success securing significant funding or six‑figure support.
- Passion for equity in tech, inclusive mentorship, and digital empowerment.
- Bold communicator with public speaking, media, or advocacy experience.
- Self-starter comfortable leading in a fast-paced, lean, volunteer-driven environment.
- Required: experience in a nonprofit as a volunteer or other role.
- Strongly desired: experience leading volunteers.
Structure & Future Path
- Volunteer executive role with a minimum one-year term.
- 15–20 hours per week, with flexibility based on fundraising and visibility demands.
- Remote-first; in-person engagement encouraged for select donor or media events.
- Intended to evolve into a paid executive leadership position as Wevise scales.
What You’ll Gain
- The opportunity to create your legacy as a leader passionate about tech equity and inclusion.
- A network of innovators, philanthropists, and mission-driven leaders.
- The chance to leave a lasting impact—and shape the next generation of inclusive tech leadership.
- The ability to make access to the technology industry less dependent on who someone knows, where they started, or whether the right door happened to open.