As director of social innovation at Capital One, Monica Shortino oversees philanthropic and community strategies to lead innovation in the community. She also spends her free time helping to shape local organizations. “I have the incredible honor of impacting my community every day, through my personal life and in my career,” Monica says.
Part of Monica’s job at Capital One is leading the Future Edge DFW initiative, which helps Americans succeed in the digital economy. She works with area organizations including Collin College and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Collin County to build college- and career-readiness skills through science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) programming.
Currently, Monica is working to reach 10,000 high school students over the next three years with Basic TrAIning: Bot Camp, a first-of-its-kind curriculum hosted in partnership with Plano ISD and Dallas ISD that teaches artificial intelligence (AI), software development and technical problem solving. Fun fact: when this program launched back in April, it earned the Guinness World Record for largest AI programming lesson.
This passion for helping others is a personal mission for Monica. She was a first-generation college student who overcame challenges with the help of teachers, local nonprofits and church leaders who invested in her. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without each of their moments of kindness and support, and I want to pay that back,” Monica explained.
And she does pay it back. She has more than 10 years of service to the Junior League of Dallas and is co-chair of the community committee for Capital One’s women’s resource business group, EmpowHer, which mentors girls in the Young Women’s Preparatory Network schools. Additionally, Monica is the former executive director for the Plano ISD Education Foundation and the former president for Plano Youth Leadership.
“As women leaders in our community, it is critical that we invest in the next generation of women leaders,” Monica explained. “We must take time to mentor, provide a helping hand and cheer each other on.”
Lesley Range-Stanton, executive director of communications for Plano ISD, says, “It has been my privilege to watch and to be a part of Monica’s leadership journey over the past 15 years. I am so proud of all of the labels I’ve watched her acquire: leader, mentor, award winner, innovator, mom and now Girl Boss. But I must say, my favorite label for Monica is ‘friend.’”
See all of the 2019 Girl Bosses >
