i.c.stars in the news

i.c.stars |* Strategic Plan 2027–2029

2026-09-04T13:51:27-05:00September 4th, 2026|News|

In 2029, i.c.stars will celebrate 30 years of creating economic mobility through technology careers. More than 1,400 alumni later, we have seen what happens when talented people who have been overlooked by traditional systems gain access to technology skills, real-world experience, leadership development, and employers willing to recognize potential differently.

Today, the workforce is changing again. Artificial intelligence is transforming how people learn, work, and advance — and as routine work becomes automated, human capabilities like judgment, adaptability, and leadership become even more valuable.

Our mission has not changed. What must evolve are the pathways, experiences, partnerships, and supports that help people achieve it. As we approach 30 years, we are not reinventing i.c.stars. We are building the next evolution of a model that works.

— Meighan Newhouse, CEO

Why This Matters Now

Talent is everywhere. Access to economic mobility is not.

Technology careers remain one […]

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i.c.stars Names Samantha Maldonado Executive Director of Milwaukee Office

2026-08-28T09:54:24-05:00August 27th, 2026|Milwaukee, National, News|

August 27, 2026

i.c.stars Names Samantha Maldonado Executive Director of Milwaukee Office

Veteran organizational development leader and longtime i.c.stars partner to lead Milwaukee’s growth and community impact

MILWAUKEE, WI — i.c.stars announced today that Samantha Maldonado has been named Executive Director of its Milwaukee office. Maldonado brings more than fifteen years of experience leading growth, culture, and leadership development at Fortune 500 companies, along with a deep, hands-on history with the i.c.stars’ Milwaukee community.

Maldonado has spent her career leading growth at organizations including Northwestern Mutual, Principal Financial, and Kohl’s, working across Organizational Development, People & Culture, and Executive Leadership Coaching. She is a trusted voice in strategy and change leadership, and her coaching and consulting work spans from individual contributors to senior executives across industries — covering leadership development, strategic planning, and organizational culture. […]

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Thank You, nvisia, for Driving Impact On and Off the Course

2026-08-27T09:37:24-05:00August 18th, 2026|Chicago, Milwaukee|

We are incredibly grateful to nvisia for selecting i.c.stars as the nonprofit beneficiary of this year’s Grand Geneva Elite Tech Showcase and Golf outing. It was a fantastic day filled with great conversations, friendly competition, and a shared commitment to investing in the future of technology talent.

Thanks to the generosity of golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters, the event raised $4,251.17 through CIO lunch raffles, the Putting for Booze game, mulligans, and donations. Every dollar raised helps i.c.stars continue developing technology and business leaders while creating more equitable pathways into the tech workforce.

Beyond the fundraising, the outing provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships with industry partners, meet new supporters, and share the impact of i.c.stars with a community that values innovation, collaboration, and giving back.

A special thank you to the entire nvisia team for your partnership, hospitality, and dedication to making this event a success. […]

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In Tough Tech Landscape, a Midwest Training Provider Doubles Down

2026-06-23T20:26:00-05:00June 23rd, 2026|National|

Photo by Colleen Connolly for Work Shift

by Colleen Connolly

For 27 years, the Midwest-based tech boot camp i.c.stars has trained hundreds of people earning at or near poverty-level wages and helped them land higher paying roles. The training provider boasts a 75% placement rate with employers, and in the last 10 cohorts, participants’ salaries increased from an average of $24K annually to more than $53K.

Key to the success of i.c.stars has been its ability to not just teach tech skills, but also durable workplace skills—and to connect participants to a network of employers ready to hire them. But a changing economic landscape and declining entry-level tech jobs are forcing the organization to get more creative about engaging employers and finding ways for its participants to get vital work experience.

Read the full […]

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Tier4 Group Expands Its Strategic Partnership with i.c.stars to Advance Tech Talent Development

2026-06-18T11:00:06-05:00June 18th, 2026|Chicago, Milwaukee, National|

CHICAGO, IL, UNITED STATES, June 17, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Tier4 Group, a leading professional recruitment firm specializing in technology and tech-adjacent talent, has expanded its strategic partnership with i.c.stars, a nonprofit technology workforce development organization committed to creating pathways for underserved young adults into tech careers, from a single-market sponsorship in Milwaukee to a cross-city initiative spanning Milwaukee and Chicago. The expanded partnership reflects both organizations’ shared belief that intentional investment in people creates stronger pathways into technology careers, more diverse leadership pipelines, and more resilient local tech ecosystems.

Read full release.

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People-First Innovation: Rethinking Talent for a Tech-Centric World CHI 2026

2026-05-12T10:14:32-05:00May 12th, 2026|Chicago, National|

People-First Innovation: Rethinking Talent for a Tech-Centric World brought together HR leaders, technologists, sponsors, and emerging talent for a day of conversations focused on the future of work, people-first culture, and building more inclusive pathways into tech. Hosted by i.c.stars on April 29, the event highlighted how organizations can embrace innovation while keeping people at the center.

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Red Foundry Announces Renewal of i.c.stars Sponsorship Agreement and Expansion to Milwaukee

2026-03-06T12:27:34-06:00February 27th, 2026|Chicago, Milwaukee, National, News|

Red Foundry has renewed its sponsorship with i.c.stars and expanded its support to include Milwaukee, strengthening a long-standing partnership dedicated to developing emerging technology leaders.

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10 Black Innovators Who Have Transformed the Tech World Part 2

2026-02-24T22:00:32-06:00February 12th, 2026|National|

A celebration of Black innovators whose work forms the backbone of modern technology. This piece highlights eleven leaders whose breakthroughs shaped everything from GPS and AI to home security, electronics, and aerospace systems.

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