Miami Tech Works brings together employers, educators and community-based organizations all focused on one thing: building a sustainable tech talent pipeline that will create economic impact for South Florida employers of all sizes.
We host the Miami Tech Talent Coalition, a business forum incubating ideas for meaningful change in hiring while connecting South Florida employers with an active technology talent pipeline.
Founded with a $10 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration's Good Jobs Challenge, Miami Tech Works was created to address the economic demand for skilled tech talent in South Florida. By establishing partnerships across the tech industry, educational institutions, and community organizations, Miami Tech Works bridges the gap between the evolving needs of tech employers and the region’s diverse talent pool. Through these connections, we help local companies build sustainable pipelines of highly qualified tech talent while offering aspiring professionals opportunities for skill-building and career advancement.
Our work has directly connected thousands of aspiring professionals with tech training, reduced recruitment costs, and ensured alignment between tech education and industry demand. We’re proud of the strides we’ve made and are committed to expanding our impact to help South Florida continue to thrive as a tech hub.
Our objective is to help our partners produce a skilled workforce to ensure South Florida is prepared to innovate, compete, and succeed in a 21st Century economy.
Valuing the interconnection between individuals, workforce development, local business growth, and the overall economic prosperity of the Miami area.
Encouraging and respecting the individual choices of participants, providing them with the tools and support to navigate their career paths in the tech industry.
Ensuring equitable access and opportunities for all community members, especially those from historically underrepresented groups.
Building robust partnerships across educational institutions, employers, and community organizations to cultivate a unified and dynamic tech ecosystem.
Highlighting our commitment to tailoring programs in response to the unique characteristics, needs, and strengths of the South Florida workforce, ensuring relevance and effectiveness to the local workforce and employers alike.
Miami Tech Works is transforming how tech talent is cultivated and connected in South Florida. For employers, we reduce the costs and risks associated with recruitment and training. For aspiring tech professionals, we provide pathways to rewarding, future-focused careers that offer economic empowerment and stability. With every connection we facilitate, we bring South Florida closer to a sustainable, inclusive tech ecosystem.
Our commitment is to connect aspiring tech professionals with high-quality training and placement programs in South Florida, creating brighter economic futures. By building these pathways, we help tech talent reach opportunities that can shape meaningful, long-lasting careers.
Our dedicated team brings deep experience and passion for advancing South Florida’s tech workforce. Each plays an essential role in connecting talent with opportunity, encouraging innovation, and supporting our community.
Terri-Ann Brown
Sheena Johns
Jonathan Quinten Adell
Kevin Robinson
Yaimara Roman
Johannes Quiles
Miami Tech Works is always looking to expand its network of forward-thinking tech employers, academic leaders, and aspiring tech professionals. Interested in getting involved? Reach out to learn more about our programs, partnerships, and pathways to opportunity.
Please use the form on our Contact Us page to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you!
Jonathan Adell serves as a Grant Coordinator for Miami Tech Works, managing grant-related activities concerning logistics, planning, research, stakeholder communication, and compliance with local and federal guidelines. Adell acts as a liaison between the Miami Tech Works team and external partners, creating alignment with the initiative’s goal of creating a sustainable tech talent pipeline in South Florida.
Inspired by the mission to address regional tech talent shortages and transform the local workforce, Adell joined Miami Tech Works in 2023. His background in strategic planning, security management, and stakeholder engagement positioned him well to manage the complex relationships and logistics central to his role. Adell’s previous experience and academic qualifications, including an MBA from Florida International University and a BA in Human Resources Management from Miami Dade College, enable him to oversee projects requiring both business acumen and resource planning.
Adell is dedicated to ensuring Miami Tech Works remains on track to achieve its goals by effectively managing projects and building strong partnerships. His commitment to creating lasting change is reflected in his work with educators, employers, and community leaders, where he drives strategic collaborations to strengthen and expand the tech talent pipeline in South Florida.
Yaimara Román González serves as a Grant Project Manager at Miami Tech Works, where she plays a vital role tracking employer engagement for the Miami Tech Talent Coalition, managing event logistics, and working closely with training providers to develop resources that meet participant needs. She actively supports participants in navigating these resources and provides mentorship to student ambassadors, empowering them to confidently advocate for Miami Tech Works and its mission within the community.
Román González joined Miami Tech Works in 2024, bringing extensive experience in program management and community engagement to her role. With a BAS in Supervision and Management from Miami Dade College and an MS in Higher Education Administration from Florida International University, she combines her academic training with professional experience to guide her approach to connecting participants with resources and opportunities. Román González is dedicated to bridging the gap between tech talent and employers, helping participants access essential support and thrive in securing meaningful careers.
Kevin Robinson serves as a Grant Project Manager, where he plays a central role in aligning workforce development initiatives with the needs of employers and training providers. Robinson’s responsibilities include leading the Request for Proposal and Request for Information processes to identify the best technology training partners and ensuring that their programs are effective in addressing critical skill gaps.
Since joining in 2023, Robinson has led the Emerging Tech Talent Working Group, focusing on delivering AI-driven solutions for small businesses, and creating meaningful collaborations between subject matter experts, academic institutions, and industry leaders. Robinson is also at the forefront of initiatives such as the Quantum Computing Qiskit Festival at Miami Dade College, and has helped build strategic partnerships with Florida Memorial University to promote the growth of quantum computing education.
Robinson’s interest in quantum computing and AI is built on a strong academic foundation, having earned both his BS and MS in Physics from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. His leadership and industry expertise are essential to the team’s success in driving innovation and creating diverse career pathways in the tech industry.
Johannes Quiles joined Miami Tech Works in July 2023 as a Grant Project Manager, bringing with him a wealth of expertise in branding, communication, and content creation. In this role, Quiles manages critical partnerships with training providers, marketing partners, and outreach organizations, ensuring efficient collaboration and project execution. Quiles’ successes in this role to date include overseeing strategies for the Miami Tech Works brand, organizing the first Tech Talent Summit powered by Miami Tech Works, and leading the Small Business Capacity Building Working Group’s first micro-internship pilot, which connected students with project-based learning opportunities from small businesses across South Florida.
With a double major in Public Relations and English Literature from the University of Miami, Quiles’ career began at MTV Networks Latin America, followed by roles at the Walt Disney World Resort and Miami Dade College (MDC), among others. With degrees in business administration as well as film production from MDC’s own School of Entertainment and Design Technology, Quiles’ multifaceted background in corporate communication, academia, and creative industries informs his work on key projects that engage these groups, ensuring seamless coordination and alignment of goals.
Driven by a passion for equitable opportunities, Quiles leverages his bilingual skills and firsthand understanding of the challenges underrepresented groups face in the workforce to empower students and business leaders. Quiles’ commitment to effective communication as well as fostering growth and inclusivity continues to advance South Florida’s tech ecosystem.
Sheena Johns serves as the Database Reporter & Analyst at Miami Tech Works, leading the development and management of database systems. Johns’ responsibilities include creating dashboards, writing queries, managing datasets, and implementing applications to improve system functionality. Additionally, Johns oversees user access, conducts training, and ensures financial accountability for the initiative’s $10 million budget.
Since joining the team in 2023, Johns applies her expertise in data analysis, business analysis, and project management to thoroughly track the initiative’s results and ensure grant compliance. Johns earned her BS in Computer Information Systems from Saint Augustine’s University. Johns’ prior experience managing financial operations and building databases for the North Carolina Department of Transportation shaped her approach to her current role.
Johns’ balance of technical expertise and leadership in community efforts strengthens her determination to achieve equitable outcomes for all participants. Johns develops and maintains systems for Miami Tech Works, ensuring that data-driven decisions are supported by streamlined processes. At the same time, Johns’ role as the Google Developer Group lead at Miami Dade College allows her to create opportunities for students to develop real-world skills through hands-on learning experiences. Johns’ integration of technical innovation and community engagement makes her a key player in strengthening South Florida’s tech ecosystem and workforce development strategies.
Terri-Ann Brown Grant Director Terri-Ann Brown serves as the Grant Director of Miami Tech Works, leading efforts to connect employers with training providers while building a long-term pipeline of skilled tech talent. Brown oversees the Miami Tech Talent Coalition, a sectoral partnership of more than 250 stakeholders, and guides initiatives that align workforce talent with industry leaders, ensuring South Florida’s tech ecosystem continues to grow and thrive.
Joining Miami Tech Works in late 2022, Brown brings extensive experience in human resources, organizational development, and community partnerships. Brown’s work with the Venture Mentoring Team and corporate mentoring programs at Office Depot and Target provided hands-on insights into aligning resources with community needs, which Brown now applies at Miami Tech Works to strengthen partnerships and build workforce strategies. Brown’s bachelor’s in Communications and Marketing from Boston College sharpens her ability to affect change, while Brown’s advisory role at the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center for Innovation informs her perspective on technology in South Florida.
To broaden Miami Tech Works’ impact, Brown continues breaking new ground by integrating emerging sectors like climate tech and applying strategies such as the Talent Pipeline Management® framework. Through collaboration with diverse partners, Brown is dedicated to building pathways into tech careers and enhancing South Florida's workforce development efforts.
