WHY I STARTED AI FOR COMMUNITY, by Ken Krugler
In November 2024, I faced a crossroads. I had closed my data consulting business and hiked the Pacific Crest Trail with my daughter following a personal loss. I needed to figure out what comes next.
I realized that I wanted to focus on communities, and specifically nonprofits, as they were the ones tackling the hard issues that matter most.
The answer became clear: I could combine my passions for teaching and technology with my decades of nonprofit involvement to give organizations the skills to use AI – amplifying their work without compromising their mission or reputation.
I spent months building a curriculum to teach nonprofits how to use AI effectively and responsibly. After many iterations, the result was a four-hour course that covers essential AI topics. I tested it with multiple groups, both in-person and online. In March of 2025 I started AI for Community as a nonprofit, and have been using AI for the very same activities that I highlight in the course. Read More
Team
KEN KRUGLER
Director/President and lead instructor Ken Krugler is a professional software developer, startup founder, open source enthusiast, and a software trainer with over 15 years of experience teaching technical classes. He has a Bachelor of Science in EECS from MIT, and previously worked at Apple on the original Macintosh, started TransPac Software/Scale Unlimited, founded a VC-backed code search startup, and was on the board of the Bear Yuba Land Trust.
CHRIS ZANNETOS
Director/Vice President Chris Zannetos is a serial tech and education entrepreneur. He has a Bachelor of Science from MIT, and founded software and services companies that helped establish the cybersecurity market, created hundreds of jobs, and generated over $300 million in revenue. Chris is also the founder of STEMatch, a 501(c)(3) non-profit making STEM education and tech jobs accessible to underserved communities.
KRISTIN FOSS
Director/Treasurer Kristin Foss is an experienced tech executive with background in both start-ups and large companies. She has a Bachelor of Science in EECS from MIT, and a Master of Science in EECS from Washington University in St. Louis. Kristin is actively involved with nonprofits in the San Francisco/Bay area.
AIMEE RETZLER
Director/Secretary Aimee Retzler has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Miami University and brings a powerful blend of visionary thinking and practical execution to mission-driven organizations navigating complexity and change. As the founder of a community nonprofit and a former senior leader at a Fortune 500 company, Aimee has led organizations through multimillion-dollar growth, strategic reinvention, and culture shifts that build capacity and sustainability.