Leading the Field: Semi Cole

For our “Leading the Field” Q&A series, we’re speaking with leaders in the civic/gov tech space who are driving important change to make government work by the people, for the people, in the digital age. This week, we spoke with Semi Cole, a Program Manager for the Safety Net Innovation Lab here at Code for America. At Code for America, we welcome a broad diversity of viewpoints—and we strive to let people speak in their own words about their own unique experiences. With that in mind, the following has received only minor edits for length and clarity, and the views expressed here reflect those of the author.

What were some early experiences that drew you to public service?

From a young age, I’ve always seen myself as a builder. Whether it was taking apart old radios to understand how they worked or constructing makeshift ramps for my bike using scrap wood from the neighborhood, I’ve always thrived on the challenge of diving head-first into a problem and finding solutions, regardless of the obstacles.

In college, that innate drive to build evolved into a deeper sense of responsibility—a commitment to serving my community. Through student leadership, I found a network of peers who saw student-led movements as living experiments in local democracy. Attending one of Southern California’s largest minority-serving institutions, UC Riverside (also the UC system’s most food-insecure campus), I saw firsthand how systemic challenges shaped student life.

With this perspective, I ran for Student Body President, and after getting elected, I focused on getting students connected with resources to thrive. I worked on initiatives supporting food assistance, expanding student employment opportunities, and addressing transportation and other basic needs. But it was a project with Lyft—fighting to establish free emergency rides for students—that galvanized me. It showed me that government could be bold and incorporate technology to thoughtfully address the needs of its constituency. More importantly, it opened my eyes to how industry, when properly stewarded by government, could play a larger role in social impact.

How did you start your career in civic tech?

I started off in civic tech at Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Office of Budget and Innovation, on the city’s first Innovation Team (i-Team). I worked on developing automated tools to simplify city job applications, launching an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) program to combat the rise in adult homelessness, and helping shape the city’s Future of Work Task Force. These experiences reinforced how public institutions can strategically leverage technology to create services that are more equitable, efficient, and responsive to community needs.

As I’ve grown in this space, I’ve become increasingly excited about the ways technology can be used to not only improve service delivery but also rebuild trust in public institutions. In too many communities—especially low-income and historically marginalized ones—interactions with government are often frustrating, inefficient, or even harmful. Civic tech offers a chance to flip that narrative, ensuring that technology serves as a tool for empowerment rather than exclusion. Through my work, I want to explore how we can design systems that meet people where they are, reduce barriers to access, and inspire the next generation to have faith in a public sector that can be more agile, responsive, and equitable.

As I’ve grown in this space, I’ve become increasingly excited about the ways technology can be used to not only improve service delivery but also rebuild trust in public institutions. 

Has there been a project you’ve worked on lately that felt particularly inspiring?

One project that stands out for me is our document uploader and GetBenefitsLA digital assister pilots with the state of Louisiana. These initiatives leveraged technology to test improvements to independent features of their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application process—such as document uploading—while also streamlining the broader SNAP application for mobile friendliness and application efficiency. Additionally, we designed the tool to enable cross-enrollment options for a subset of eligible applicants for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Early Childhood Education (ECE) program.

Working with Louisiana’s team, we conducted in-depth research into the needs of clients and caseworkers who could benefit from these tools. By collaborating with Louisianans, we expanded our operations from two parishes to five, allowing us to explore the impact of our solutions in different regional environments. Another particularly inspiring aspect was integrating the assister tool into the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Service’s new library pop-up program. Training caseworkers to use the assister tool in local libraries allowed us to bring the tool to the frontlines of communities that needed more support. The positive feedback we received from caseworkers regarding the trainings and the impact this tool had in the field made it all worthwhile.

What role does storytelling have in making meaningful change?

For me, storytelling has been a way to connect my own lived experience—growing up in a low-income, immigrant household in San Bernardino, California—with the work I do today. It serves as a bridge between personal narratives and broader systemic issues, making the work in civic tech more relatable and impactful.

Storytelling is essential because it humanizes the data and policies we encounter. While statistics can be powerful, sharing real experiences of individuals struggling to access services drives empathy and prompts strategic action. Moreover, storytelling plays a crucial role in advocacy by helping decision-makers understand the real-world impact of their policies and empowering communities to push for transformative solutions.

Storytelling is essential because it humanizes the data and policies we encounter. 

What advice would you offer someone early in their career who wants to explore civic tech?

Start at the local level. There is so much power in working on projects and learning to identify problems that directly impact your own community. Civic tech is broad, spanning everything from digital government services to community-driven data projects. Whether you’re passionate about climate action, social services, or policy transparency, find a space where you want to make an impact.

From there, get involved in open-source projects, join civic tech communities, and seek out local initiatives where you can apply your skills. Most importantly, stay people-centered—civic tech is about more than just technology; it’s about designing solutions that work for real families.