Chicago, Illinois, United States
Noma Shields is an education innovator and founder reshaping how young people experience science, technology, and sports. Through the Youth Sports Science Institute (YSSI), she is building a new model for learning—one where data, movement, and design converge to unlock youth potential. Her work bridges the playing field and the classroom, equipping students with tools like VR, wearable tech, and sports analytics to explore careers in health science, engineering, and performance technology. Under her leadership, YSSI partners with schools, hospitals, and innovation hubs to make STEM education accessible, relevant, and human-centered. A lifelong martial artist and advocate for neurodiversity and educational equity, Noma believes in teaching discipline, creativity, and emotional intelligence as essential forms of literacy. Her mission is simple yet transformative: to help every student see that athletic intelligence is also scientific intelligence—and that both belong in the future of work.
Youth Sports Science Institute (YSSI) is dedicated to bridging the equity gap in STEM education. The institute employs an innovative approach that combines sports training with traditional STEM instructional models. The integration of sports training, particularly boxing, engages students physically, promoting holistic development and well-being. Simultaneously, the incorporation of data analytics introduces them to the world of technology and critical thinking. In essence, YSSI's mission is a call to action, urging the education sector to embrace innovative approaches that address the unique needs of underrepresented students.
• Maintained relationships with grantees to ensure continued support and success of their programming and lobbying efforts. • Led youth grassroots campaign initiatives that raised awareness on voter disfranchisement. Built a comprehensive budgeting system that enabled the company to track and monitor spending to ensure compliance with budgetary goals. • Created and managed social media campaigns on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to increase youth engagement. • Wrote compelling copy for website pages, blog articles, and email campaigns utilizing platforms such as WordPress, Wix, and MailChimp.
• Conducted the full range of activities required to prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals to foundations and government entities. • Contributed to and maintain a knowledge sharing system capable of maximizing Noble’s development team’s collective grant proposals and reports. • Complied with grant report and proposal requirements, utilizing templates and providing mandatory information in a persuasive, thoughtful, and sophisticated writing style.
• Updated programs or databases, correct errors and make necessary modifications. • Modified existing database management systems (AirTable, Funraise, Asana, Google Drive, etc.) to make strategic changes for DigDeep's Development Team. • Approved, scheduled, and supervised the installation and testing of new products and improvements to database management systems such as Salesforce.