Fast FORWARD to results
FORWARD is your thought partner to design and implement custom solutions for government and nonprofit leaders to increase efficiency and securely deliver resources to communities fast.
COMMUNITIES AND AGENCIES POWERED BY FORWARD
PEOPLE-CENTRIC SOLUTIONS FOR PUBLIC SECTOR, BY PUBLIC SECTOR EXPERTS
More than software, we’re an integrated, human-centered solution that GETS government. 80% of our team have worked in the public sector and leverage our expertise to innovate and deliver efficiently. We understand antiquated systems and ever-increasing dynamic challenges. We deliver solutions that expand capacity, efficiency, transparency and equity to powerfully serve your constituents.
100,000+
PEOPLE SERVED
200+
CITIES AND COUNTIES
$1B
FUNDS DISTRIBUTED
$24M+
SAVED FROM FRAUD
A Dynamic Vision to Accelerate Equity and Access for All
Adnan Mahmud is a visionary leader who has dedicated his career to using technology to improve governance and public services. Born and raised in Bangladesh, he witnessed firsthand the importance of data-based policymaking to combat corruption while his father was a diplomat. After immigrating to the United States, Adnan spent eight years at Microsoft before founding LiveStories in 2013. The platform, which he envisioned as an integrated data hub for civic data, allowed users to find, explore, and present information in one user-friendly web-based platform.
When the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, many government agencies needed to get resources and funding out to impacted communities fast. Realizing that many of our government partners did not have the infrastructure or capacity to build and run emergency relief programs, Adnan and his team quickly designed FORWARD, a solution that can provide comprehensive program administration support, automate workflows, increase back-office capacity, and help government and nonprofit leaders deliver resources and funding to their community members quickly and securely.
FORWARD continues to design custom solutions for governments and nonprofits to foster inter-agency collaboration, improve the applicant experience and increase benefit coordination. Since then, we have administered over $1B to more than 100,000 households and small businesses across the country.
MEET OUR TEAM
Our Team of Experts are Ready to Help You Accelerate Equity and Access in Your Community
Adnan Mahmud
FOUNDER, CEO
As founder and CEO of FORWARD, Adnan is passionate about using data and technology to tackle the world’s biggest challenges. Through FORWARD, he has worked with more than 200 customers around the world and has been featured as a Gov100 company every year since 2016.
Prior to founding FORWARD, Adnan worked for eight years at Microsoft, where he managed the company’s largest data pipelines and received multiple patents in data analysis, visualization, and management. In addition, Adnan is co-founder of Jolkona, a nonprofit that provides mentorship and training for social entrepreneurs.
Adnan earned his master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Southern California.
Adnan Mahmud
FOUNDER, CEO
As founder and CEO of FORWARD, Adnan is passionate about using data and technology to tackle the world’s biggest challenges. Through FORWARD, he has worked with more than 200 customers around the world and has been featured as a Gov100 company every year since 2016.
Prior to founding FORWARD, Adnan worked for eight years at Microsoft, where he managed the company’s largest data pipelines and received multiple patents in data analysis, visualization, and management. In addition, Adnan is co-founder of Jolkona, a nonprofit that provides mentorship and training for social entrepreneurs.
Adnan earned his master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Southern California.
Adnan Mahmud
FOUNDER, CEO
As founder and CEO of FORWARD, Adnan is passionate about using data and technology to tackle the world’s biggest challenges. Through FORWARD, he has worked with more than 200 customers around the world and has been featured as a Gov100 company every year since 2016.
Prior to founding FORWARD, Adnan worked for eight years at Microsoft, where he managed the company’s largest data pipelines and received multiple patents in data analysis, visualization, and management. In addition, Adnan is co-founder of Jolkona, a nonprofit that provides mentorship and training for social entrepreneurs.
Adnan earned his master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Southern California.
Delane Hewett
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
As Chief Technology Officer, Delane Hewett is responsible for oversight development, configuration, and implementation of the FORWARD Platform.
Delane worked across several start-ups within Microsoft for about 15 years and then a journey of another 14 years at start-ups across real estate, news, advertising, e-commerce, and helping businesses from the smallest to the Fortune 500 at DataSphere & Sinclair Broadcast Group. Delane then dedicated a year to building applications in deep learning and then another year at OfferUp leading several engineering, data, and product teams.
Delane Hewett
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
As Chief Technology Officer, Delane Hewett is responsible for oversight development, configuration, and implementation of the FORWARD Platform.
Delane worked across several start-ups within Microsoft for about 15 years and then a journey of another 14 years at start-ups across real estate, news, advertising, e-commerce, and helping businesses from the smallest to the Fortune 500 at DataSphere & Sinclair Broadcast Group. Delane then dedicated a year to building applications in deep learning and then another year at OfferUp leading several engineering, data, and product teams.
Delane Hewett
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
As Chief Technology Officer, Delane Hewett is responsible for oversight development, configuration, and implementation of the FORWARD Platform.
Delane worked across several start-ups within Microsoft for about 15 years and then a journey of another 14 years at start-ups across real estate, news, advertising, e-commerce, and helping businesses from the smallest to the Fortune 500 at DataSphere & Sinclair Broadcast Group. Delane then dedicated a year to building applications in deep learning and then another year at OfferUp leading several engineering, data, and product teams.
Tim Morones
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
Tim oversees all FORWARD implementations, including design, management, and funds disbursement. Tim has more than 25 years of experience in leadership and growth, customer operations, and financial management for high-tech, high-growth companies. During this time he has also maintained an active community presence, serving on the board of both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. In 2012, he was elected Chairman of the Audit Committee for ITEX Corporation (OCQB: ITEX).
Tim holds a bachelor's degree in Finance from the California State University of Sacramento.
Tim Morones
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
Tim oversees all FORWARD implementations, including design, management, and funds disbursement. Tim has more than 25 years of experience in leadership and growth, customer operations, and financial management for high-tech, high-growth companies. During this time he has also maintained an active community presence, serving on the board of both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. In 2012, he was elected Chairman of the Audit Committee for ITEX Corporation (OCQB: ITEX).
Tim holds a bachelor's degree in Finance from the California State University of Sacramento.
Tim Morones
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
Tim oversees all FORWARD implementations, including design, management, and funds disbursement. Tim has more than 25 years of experience in leadership and growth, customer operations, and financial management for high-tech, high-growth companies. During this time he has also maintained an active community presence, serving on the board of both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. In 2012, he was elected Chairman of the Audit Committee for ITEX Corporation (OCQB: ITEX).
Tim holds a bachelor's degree in Finance from the California State University of Sacramento.
Srivaths Copparam
VP OF ENGINEERING
As VP of Engineering, Srivaths Copparam leads the engineering organization and is responsible for building and running the suite of applications and services that power FORWARD's grant programs and SAAS services. He is passionate about leveraging technology and data to serve best-of-breed solutions to customers and partners.
Srivaths brings over 20 years of engineering leadership experience to the team, having previously led global engineering organizations at Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Mr. Cooper. He has expertise in driving technology vision, strategy, and implementation and has launched several high-scale and high-availability services spanning cloud platform services, SAAS services, and consumer-facing applications.
Srivaths holds a bachelor's degree in engineering in Electronics from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India.
Srivaths Copparam
VP OF ENGINEERING
As VP of Engineering, Srivaths Copparam leads the engineering organization and is responsible for building and running the suite of applications and services that power FORWARD's grant programs and SAAS services. He is passionate about leveraging technology and data to serve best-of-breed solutions to customers and partners.
Srivaths brings over 20 years of engineering leadership experience to the team, having previously led global engineering organizations at Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Mr. Cooper. He has expertise in driving technology vision, strategy, and implementation and has launched several high-scale and high-availability services spanning cloud platform services, SAAS services, and consumer-facing applications.
Srivaths holds a bachelor's degree in engineering in Electronics from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India.
Srivaths Copparam
VP OF ENGINEERING
As VP of Engineering, Srivaths Copparam leads the engineering organization and is responsible for building and running the suite of applications and services that power FORWARD's grant programs and SAAS services. He is passionate about leveraging technology and data to serve best-of-breed solutions to customers and partners.
Srivaths brings over 20 years of engineering leadership experience to the team, having previously led global engineering organizations at Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Mr. Cooper. He has expertise in driving technology vision, strategy, and implementation and has launched several high-scale and high-availability services spanning cloud platform services, SAAS services, and consumer-facing applications.
Srivaths holds a bachelor's degree in engineering in Electronics from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India.
Suzanne Campbell
VP of People & Culture
Suzanne Campbell
VP of People & Culture
Suzanne Campbell
VP of People & Culture
Raven McShane
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF GROWTH
As Senior Director of Growth, Raven McShane leads FORWARD efforts around outreach, marketing, and partner engagement.
Raven is an experienced operations director with a proven track record of delivering results in a constantly changing landscape. Skilled at creating marketing plans and conducting community outreach, she helps FORWARD develop relationships with community-based organizations on the ground in communities across the country. With 15 years as a political fundraiser and campaign manager in dozens of communities under her belt, she has a unique and valuable perspective on building relationships within communities.
Raven is a graduate of the Evergreen State College with a degree in history and political science.
Raven McShane
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF GROWTH
As Senior Director of Growth, Raven McShane leads FORWARD efforts around outreach, marketing, and partner engagement.
Raven is an experienced operations director with a proven track record of delivering results in a constantly changing landscape. Skilled at creating marketing plans and conducting community outreach, she helps FORWARD develop relationships with community-based organizations on the ground in communities across the country. With 15 years as a political fundraiser and campaign manager in dozens of communities under her belt, she has a unique and valuable perspective on building relationships within communities.
Raven is a graduate of the Evergreen State College with a degree in history and political science.
Raven McShane
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF GROWTH
As Senior Director of Growth, Raven McShane leads FORWARD efforts around outreach, marketing, and partner engagement.
Raven is an experienced operations director with a proven track record of delivering results in a constantly changing landscape. Skilled at creating marketing plans and conducting community outreach, she helps FORWARD develop relationships with community-based organizations on the ground in communities across the country. With 15 years as a political fundraiser and campaign manager in dozens of communities under her belt, she has a unique and valuable perspective on building relationships within communities.
Raven is a graduate of the Evergreen State College with a degree in history and political science.
Aja Brown
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF IMPACT + COMMUNICATIONS
Aja Brown is a proven leader in designing and implementing transformative solutions for communities. Aja leads government solution design, impact, and communications for Forward, lending her technical and strategic expertise to expand equity, access, and impact with custom technology solutions that strengthen governments’ ability to serve their communities.
With a well-recognized 20-year track record in community and economic development, Aja's leadership in the public sector has provided a blueprint to accelerate equitable and innovative human-centered growth, as documented during her tenure as Mayor of Compton, CA from 2013 to 2021. During her time as Mayor, she designed and led the implementation of a pragmatic 12-point Vision for Compton Strategic Plan that resulted in unprecedented economic growth, record levels of new investment and job creation, crime reduction, and community development.
As an urban planner and champion of human-centered transformation, Aja continues to focus on investing in the well-being of youth and families. She led the design and formation of one of the nation's largest Guaranteed Basic Income pilots through the Compton Community Development Corporation, which she co-founded. Her track record exemplifies her ability to navigate complex landscapes while remaining dedicated to the principles of progress, equity, and social impact.
Aja earned her B.S. and M.PL from USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy and Development, with an emphasis in Economic Development. Learn more about Aja’s commitment to equity and impact at AjaBrown.com
Aja Brown
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF IMPACT + COMMUNICATIONS
Aja Brown is a proven leader in designing and implementing transformative solutions for communities. Aja leads government solution design, impact, and communications for Forward, lending her technical and strategic expertise to expand equity, access, and impact with custom technology solutions that strengthen governments’ ability to serve their communities.
With a well-recognized 20-year track record in community and economic development, Aja's leadership in the public sector has provided a blueprint to accelerate equitable and innovative human-centered growth, as documented during her tenure as Mayor of Compton, CA from 2013 to 2021. During her time as Mayor, she designed and led the implementation of a pragmatic 12-point Vision for Compton Strategic Plan that resulted in unprecedented economic growth, record levels of new investment and job creation, crime reduction, and community development.
As an urban planner and champion of human-centered transformation, Aja continues to focus on investing in the well-being of youth and families. She led the design and formation of one of the nation's largest Guaranteed Basic Income pilots through the Compton Community Development Corporation, which she co-founded. Her track record exemplifies her ability to navigate complex landscapes while remaining dedicated to the principles of progress, equity, and social impact.
Aja earned her B.S. and M.PL from USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy and Development, with an emphasis in Economic Development. Learn more about Aja’s commitment to equity and impact at AjaBrown.com
Aja Brown
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF IMPACT + COMMUNICATIONS
Aja Brown is a proven leader in designing and implementing transformative solutions for communities. Aja leads government solution design, impact, and communications for Forward, lending her technical and strategic expertise to expand equity, access, and impact with custom technology solutions that strengthen governments’ ability to serve their communities.
With a well-recognized 20-year track record in community and economic development, Aja's leadership in the public sector has provided a blueprint to accelerate equitable and innovative human-centered growth, as documented during her tenure as Mayor of Compton, CA from 2013 to 2021. During her time as Mayor, she designed and led the implementation of a pragmatic 12-point Vision for Compton Strategic Plan that resulted in unprecedented economic growth, record levels of new investment and job creation, crime reduction, and community development.
As an urban planner and champion of human-centered transformation, Aja continues to focus on investing in the well-being of youth and families. She led the design and formation of one of the nation's largest Guaranteed Basic Income pilots through the Compton Community Development Corporation, which she co-founded. Her track record exemplifies her ability to navigate complex landscapes while remaining dedicated to the principles of progress, equity, and social impact.
Aja earned her B.S. and M.PL from USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy and Development, with an emphasis in Economic Development. Learn more about Aja’s commitment to equity and impact at AjaBrown.com
Kenyon Durr
Director of Engineering
As an engineering director with over 15 years of experience, Kenyon has a proven track record of building complex projects at startups and mid-sized companies. His ability to foster a collaborative and innovative work culture has increased efficiency, reduced costs, and led to successful product launches.
Kenyon Durr
Director of Engineering
As an engineering director with over 15 years of experience, Kenyon has a proven track record of building complex projects at startups and mid-sized companies. His ability to foster a collaborative and innovative work culture has increased efficiency, reduced costs, and led to successful product launches.
Kenyon Durr
Director of Engineering
As an engineering director with over 15 years of experience, Kenyon has a proven track record of building complex projects at startups and mid-sized companies. His ability to foster a collaborative and innovative work culture has increased efficiency, reduced costs, and led to successful product launches.
Scott Hoiland
DIRECTOR OF APPLICATION SERVICES
Scott has more than 10 years of experience in program and customer operations, with a focus on workflow management and analytical analysis.
He has worked with technology companies to provide turnkey solutions to advertisers through enhanced software platforms that were built from the ground up. Scott is a problem solver who enjoys learning how software works and working with engineering teams to design user-friendly platforms.
Scott graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Economics.
Scott Hoiland
DIRECTOR OF APPLICATION SERVICES
Scott has more than 10 years of experience in program and customer operations, with a focus on workflow management and analytical analysis.
He has worked with technology companies to provide turnkey solutions to advertisers through enhanced software platforms that were built from the ground up. Scott is a problem solver who enjoys learning how software works and working with engineering teams to design user-friendly platforms.
Scott graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Economics.
Scott Hoiland
DIRECTOR OF APPLICATION SERVICES
Scott has more than 10 years of experience in program and customer operations, with a focus on workflow management and analytical analysis.
He has worked with technology companies to provide turnkey solutions to advertisers through enhanced software platforms that were built from the ground up. Scott is a problem solver who enjoys learning how software works and working with engineering teams to design user-friendly platforms.
Scott graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Economics.
Tahmina Martelly
DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES
As Director of Client Services, Tahmina Martelly is responsible for program launch and management, analytics, and content creation.
Tahmina has over 26 years of experience in strategy and systems building for program design, community engagement and leading with ESJ principles. She has worked in government, non-profit and public health and has extensive experience working with refugee, asylee and BIPOC communities to build community-centered solutions to systemic problems.
Tahmina Martelly
DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES
As Director of Client Services, Tahmina Martelly is responsible for program launch and management, analytics, and content creation.
Tahmina has over 26 years of experience in strategy and systems building for program design, community engagement and leading with ESJ principles. She has worked in government, non-profit and public health and has extensive experience working with refugee, asylee and BIPOC communities to build community-centered solutions to systemic problems.
Tahmina Martelly
DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES
As Director of Client Services, Tahmina Martelly is responsible for program launch and management, analytics, and content creation.
Tahmina has over 26 years of experience in strategy and systems building for program design, community engagement and leading with ESJ principles. She has worked in government, non-profit and public health and has extensive experience working with refugee, asylee and BIPOC communities to build community-centered solutions to systemic problems.
Kelsey Martin
DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES
As Director of Client Services, Kelsey Martin is responsible for program launch and management, analytics, and content creation.
Kelsey has over 15 years of working directly with marginalized and disadvantaged populations. Her experience in managing large federal and state assistance programs and advocating for those in crisis gives her unique insight into understanding and anticipating the needs of our program participants.
Kelsey is a graduate of Eastern Washington University with a degree in Government and Social Services.
Kelsey Martin
DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES
As Director of Client Services, Kelsey Martin is responsible for program launch and management, analytics, and content creation.
Kelsey has over 15 years of working directly with marginalized and disadvantaged populations. Her experience in managing large federal and state assistance programs and advocating for those in crisis gives her unique insight into understanding and anticipating the needs of our program participants.
Kelsey is a graduate of Eastern Washington University with a degree in Government and Social Services.
Kelsey Martin
DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES
As Director of Client Services, Kelsey Martin is responsible for program launch and management, analytics, and content creation.
Kelsey has over 15 years of working directly with marginalized and disadvantaged populations. Her experience in managing large federal and state assistance programs and advocating for those in crisis gives her unique insight into understanding and anticipating the needs of our program participants.
Kelsey is a graduate of Eastern Washington University with a degree in Government and Social Services.
Strategic thought partners to drive data-driven outcomes for your community
With over 80% of our team coming from the public sector, we act as your thought partner to help you create a strategic roadmap to design solutions and implement programming that accelerates access to resources and funding for your communities.
WHAT OUR PARTNERS SAY
“FORWARD as a back office superpower has been invaluable, especially when it comes to assistance programs.”
– Martha Chaudhry, Special Projects, Economic Development at the City of Kirkland, WA
Let's work together
Our experienced staff has partnered with governments and agencies around the country to develop custom solutions to build and run successful programming for your community. See what we can do for your community.