Tech Leader Brings Product Management and Fundraising Experience to Nonprofit

Nashville Software School (NSS) delighted to welcome Ann Howard to the team as our first Director of Development. In this newly created role, Ann will guide NSS’s fundraising strategy including corporate giving and foundation grants. She will plan, direct, and execute programs to raise funds to support the mission of NSS in the community.

"Like so many of us in the Nashville tech community, I have been a fan of NSS since the beginning. I am excited to be able to use my experience in fundraising and my passion for technology and social change to create more opportunities for adults in Middle Tennessee to start their journey towards a tech career. Even modest contributions make a huge difference for students," Ann Howard, director of development, Nashville Software School.

Most recently, Ann served as EVP of product management at XiFin, Inc., a healthcare technology company in San Diego, Calif. Prior to that, she was head of product at GoNoodle leading product management, design, engineering and customer support. Ann spent nearly six years at Centresource, one of the first employers to hire from NSS, most recently as managing partner leading the company through a financial and operational transformation. 

She also served the nonprofit sector as a general business counselor at the Small Business & Technology Development Center in Wilmington, North Carolina performing valuations, financial projections, business plans and market research for small businesses. Additionally, Ann served as manager of marketing and public relations and corporate relations for nearly seven years at Friends of Public Radio WHQR 91.3 FM in North Carolina.      

Fundraising plays an important role in helping NSS grow the number of opportunities we can provide to start a career in tech through scholarships and our Opportunity Tuition. Ann brings experience in both non-profit fundraising and Nashville’s tech community and I’m glad we finally have a team member solely dedicated to this effort,” John Wark, founder and CEO, Nashville Software School.

As part of Ann’s role at NSS, she will build the scholarship fund to accommodate more students with Opportunity Tuition. A fundraising campaign is currently underway for this effort to benefit cohorts in 2024 and supporters may donate here.

Ann has a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication at Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and an MBA in business administration from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. 

Please join us in welcoming Ann Howard to the team!