James Turner, CEO at Hg Foundation: Transforming 100,000 Young Lives Through Tech Careers

Episode Guests

James Turner is the CEO of the Hg Foundation, leading its mission to drive social mobility through technology and education.

Elona Mortimer-Zhika is a Board Trustee at the Hg Foundation and a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion, and access to tech careers.

Episode Timestamps

0:00 Introduction

0:49 Meet James and Elona from the HG Foundation

1:27 Why tech access is a social mobility issue

2:29 James’ journey from law to education leadership

3:42 Elona’s powerful story: from Albania to tech boardrooms

5:00 Why opportunity is everything — and not equally shared

6:07 What the HG Foundation actually does

8:01 Scaling impact: 100,000 tech opportunities

9:24 Behind the partnerships driving change

11:00 The diversity crisis in tech

12:27 Why inclusion powers better businesses

13:40 Data-backed impact and smarter giving

15:00 Why Elona believes “playing small does not serve the world”

16:26 Who backs the HG Foundation — and why it matters

17:58 The unique power of the HG network

19:46 Why tech careers are ideal for young people

21:26 Mira Murati, ChatGPT & tech role models

23:06 How to future-proof your career with tech

24:52 Real programs, real opportunities

26:07 Final message to the next generation

28:07 James' duvet flip moment

28:43 Elona’s reason for showing up — every single time

29:50 Closing thanks

Episode Partners

Hg Foundation

Together with The Hg Foundation, we’re on a mission to motivate and inspire young people like you to explore, or even start a career in technology through inspirational talks from industry.

https://bit.ly/4mwzRGs

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