Project:Possibility is a non-profit, community service organization. It is led by individuals of diverse backgrounds and skillsets that share a common goal: to make a powerful difference in the lives of persons with disabilities.
The software that is created through this project is open source--made available in entirety to the world, free of charge.
Our Mission
- To invent new ways through which persons with disabilities can experience the world.
- To empower individuals through making a difference.
- To inspire universal compassion.
Our Vision
- Establish Local Community between software developers and persons with disabilities through meetings and events.
- Establish Online Community by developing a system through which persons with disabilities and software developers can collaborate.
- Establish Cooperative Partnerships with educational, government, commercial, and nonprofit organizations.
Our Executive Directors
Ely Lerner
Ely Lerner is an Information Systems Solutions Developer at Amgen Inc. He has a Bachelors in Computer Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He brings a background in software engineering, web technologies, and system architecture and design as well as a passion for technology and innovation.
Jacquelyn Leong
Jacquelyn Leong is an Information Systems Solutions Developer at Amgen Inc. She has a Bachelors in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles. She brings a background in software engineering and project management, and a passion for helping people.
David Lu
David graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Southern California with a double major in accounting and business administration - finance. David is currently working in the financial services industry at PricewaterhouseCoopers and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant as of September 2011. Prior to PricewaterhouseCoopers, he also worked as an assurance associate at KPMG, an investment analyst at Knightsbridge Asset Management, and a market consultant at FORBUG Co, just to name a few. At USC, he served as President of Beta Alpha Psi, a national honors organization for finance professionals, and VP of Finance of Global Business Leaders. David grew up in Montreal and as a result, he is also fluent in French and Chinese, and proficient in Spanish.
Our Board of Directors
Chair - Sean Goggin
Sean is the Technologies Manager at the Center on Disabilities at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). At the Center on Disabilities Sean is not only responsible for the technology needs of the Center, but CSUN's Annual International Technology and Person with Disabilities Conference as well. Sean has a Bachelors degree in Computer Science from CSUN.
Bryce Benjamin
Mr. Benjamin has been a successful angel entrepreneur in Los Angeles since the early 1980's when he learned the craft from David Goodman, third on the all-time genealogy chart of West Coast Venture Capitalists. Over his career, Bryce has alternated between stints as investor and CFO, COO or CEO in nearly a score of companies including Language Weaver, the world's leading provider of statistical-based language translation software. Bryce also serves as a Board of Director for VitalLink, whose goal is to provide realistic exposure to career options and career guidance to teenagers. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison and received a Master in Business Administration with Distinction from the Harvard Business School.
Elias Sayfi
Elias Sayfi is a senior software engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. During eight years at JPL, he has made significant contributions to the development of data processing systems for various space orbiter and lander missions. Current interests are distributed software systems, assistive technologies, and non-profit organizations. Elias has a Bachelors and Masters degree in Computer Science from CSU Northridge and the University of Southern California.
Prateek Tandon
Prateek Tandon recently graduated with a computer engineering, computer science degree from the University of Southern California. He has been involved with Project:Possibility since its beginning, helping lead some of the first SS12s at USC as well as helping develop several of Project:Possibility's first projects. He is currently spearheading Project:Possibility's community development efforts while pursuing a PhD in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at Carnegie Mellon University.
Stanley Lam
Stanley Lam is a Consultant in Tehnology Solutions with Hitachi Consulting. He joined Project:Possibility and contributed to the very first SS12, and joined the Board of Directors soon after. In January 2009, Stanley was elected to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors. In this role, he guides the board discussions in business development and strategic positioning as Project:Possibility begins connecting an international network of software programmers, persons with disabilities, and leaders in open source development. Stanley graduated from the University of Southern California with honors where he received a Bachelors degree in Business Administration - Global Management.
Steve Lee
Steve is a freelance software developer and adovate of Open Source Assistive Technology and accessibility and has been creating with IT for some 27 years. Based in UK he plays an active part in the Mozilla and GNOME accessibility developer communities as well as being a founder of oatsoft.org and board member of schoolforge.org.uk. Current activities include an open symbol set, computer and web access for access for those with age related disabilities as well as introducing older people to the possibilities of computers and the web.
Our Former Board Members
Christopher Leung - Founder
After founding Project:Possibility in February of 2007, Christopher served as Chair of the Board of Directors through January of 2009, also serving as the organization's Executive Director through June of 2008. Building this organization from the ground up, Christopher was instrumental in garnering support, forging relationships, and designing the programs and initiatives that make Project:Possibility what it is today. An engineer, entreprenuer, and philanthropist with a passion for making a difference, Christopher continues his involvement with Project:Possibility remotely from his current residence in China.
Marc Allen
Marc served on the Board of Directors from its inception in 2007 through June of 2008. He was deeply involved at the staff level, focusing on concept development and prototyping new technologies, as well as developing and packaging accessible software and hardware. He was the lead developer on Project:Possibility's first software project, Lunar Tuner. Marc also played a key role in shaping the SS12 and Semester Project programs.
Mark Sakata
Mark Sakata is a Disability Specialist at Pasadena City College. He has served individuals with disabilities for over 20 years within non-profit, medical rehabilitation and post-secondary educational settings. His expertise in assistive technology includes experience as an Assistive Technology Specialist, Trainer, and Rehabilitation Counselor at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, and the Center on Disabilities at California State University Northridge. Mark has a Masters degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Kelly Wills
Kelly Wills was a member of the Board of Directors from August 2007 through April 2008. At a young age, he was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a hereditary, degenerative eye condition, and has been legally blind since birth. He provided valuable guidance to this organization during its infancy. He will complete a bachelors of science degree in engineering physics at Wright State University in 2010.
Our Logo
The Project:Possibility Logo is the International Symbol of Access contained within a 5.25-inch floppy disk. This logo visually describes Project:Possibility's objective of supporting universal accessibility through software development.