Anne Wintroub
Director of Social Innovation
AT&T
Oakland, CA USA
“With innovating comes a certain human connection. You have to know what people need in order to innovate. You have to really connect and respect people.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationAnne Wintroub
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Attended the University of California, Davis where I received my bachelor’s degree in American studies and English.
Immediately after graduating, I moved to New York City and attended New York University where I received my master’s degree in performance studies.
In school, my main interests were thinking in interdisciplinary ways and making connections between subjects and projects, which has influenced me throughout my career.
Began my career in public broadcasting where I worked at various PBS stations in New York City, Boston, and San Francisco.
After five years in that industry, my passion for education and ensuring people had access to information led me to working as a Deputy Director for the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.
With little qualifications, I managed to get a job leading the corporate social responsibility efforts in California for AT&T, an opportunity that came out of nowhere.
I'm now the Director of Social Innovation for the AT&T Foundation where I've helped develop the Aspire Accelerator, providing resources and support for startups in the ed-tech sector.
In 2012, I founded The Augie Fund, inspired by my son, who has an eye condition called amblyopia—the nonprofit helps other families with inadequate insurance pay for glasses.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Bachelor
American Studies
University of California-Davis
American Studies
University of California-Davis
Career
Director of Social Innovation
I lead a national foundation portfolio designed to empower communities and resonate with business.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Business
Non-Profit Organizations
Learning / Being Challenged
Day to Day
I work with about 60 different organiztions all across the country and we contribute resources to help them develop and grow. My main work centers around the AT&T Aspire Accelerator. My typical day consists of a lot of phone calls and writing time. When I am traveling, I do a lot of public speaking and I attend conferences and meetings. I also spend time visiting our different AT&T headquarters across the country working with colleagues to get them involved in the programs we are developing.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
With innovating comes certain human connection. You have to know what people need and really respect people in order to innovate. Getting started in social impact depends on dynamic collaborations. Position yourself and take opportunities that will allow you to drive those connections and make change possible.
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Myself:
"God, what are we doing wrong??"
Challenges I Overcame
Work-Life Balance
Interviewed By
Venture Forward
Tech entrepreneurship’s next generation
