Founder & CEO

Deborah Acosta founded WeAccel nearly a decade ago to address the critical challenges communities face in equitable access to information and services, and the growing need for greater community resilience in the face of climate change and social upheaval. Her work coalesces her passion, experience, and expertise across economic and workforce development, technology for smart cities, international trade, banking and finance, real estate, energy resource management, and community engagement.

Deborah's diverse professional background spans both public and private sectors, providing her with unique insights into the financial and technological mechanisms that drive community development. Her experience includes leadership positions at Wells Fargo Bank and Crocker Bank, where she served as assistant vice president specializing in real estate industries. This banking expertise informs her approach to creating sustainable development strategies for smart communities through innovative public-private partnerships.

She contributes her expertise to key organizations locally and globally, including the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) through the Global Communities Technology Challenge (GCTC), and collaborates directly with the cities of Oakland and San Leandro on municipal initiatives. As principal of IDotConnect, she develops technology-driven solutions that connect and strengthen communities.

Deborah's entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond WeAccel through her co-founding of TwoPointOakland. Her grassroots leadership is exemplified in her role as president of the Mission Bay Residents Association, where she provides strong leadership in establishing city policy on behalf of her community, translating her strategic vision into actionable advocacy for neighborhood interests.

Through WeAccel and her various affiliations, Deborah continues to champion innovative approaches that integrate technology, finance, and community development to build more resilient, equitable, and prosperous communities capable of thriving amid contemporary challenges.

Director, Ethical Tech & Communications

Ann M. Marcus brings a BA in sociology and an MBA in decision support & systems analysis to bear on her work in technology over the past four decades as director, ethical tech & communications at WeAccel. Her unique interdisciplinary approach combines sociological insight with strategic communications mastery, bridging the critical gap between emerging technologies and their human impact.

Ann's extensive experience spans systems design, technology ethics, software development, UX/UI, technical support, industry analysis, broadband access, and communications. She has applied this expertise across diverse domains including smart cities (IoT), knowledge management, multimedia, cellular, AI and health tech, ensuring innovation serves communities ethically and effectively.

Her breadth of experience encompasses customer advocacy, tech publishing, tech events, crisis & executive communications, marketing, public relations, and community engagement with major technology leaders including Cisco Systems, Microsoft, IBM, AT&T, InfoWorld Magazine, and others. This diverse portfolio reflects her ability to translate complex technical concepts into accessible communications for varied audiences.

Ann specializes in business and tech ethics, bringing critical sociological perspective informed by her background in ethnomethodology. Her expertise in strategic and crisis communications positions her as a trusted advisor for organizations navigating complex technological transitions and public engagement challenges.

She maintains active involvement with the Technology Association of Oregon (TAO), Computer-Human Interaction Forum of Oregon (CHIFOO), Global Communities Technology Challenge (GCTC), and Oregon Entrepreneurs' Network.

Ann speaks Spanish and some French and delights in working with people from all cultures and communities. Through WeAccel, she champions ethical technology solutions that prioritize community needs, human dignity, and social equity.

Company: Enterprise Development Consulting Group (EDG)

Background industries: The Enterprise Development Group (EDG) is an international consulting firm that specializes in innovation strategy and best practices, organization design, and leadership development across a myriad of industries.

Specialties: Climate Strategy, The CO-STAR (TM) pitch, Innovation Best Practices, Leadership Training.

Clients: Apple; Intel, Logitech, BBC; Kaiser Permanente; Swiss.com; Stanford University; Southern California Edison, Lockheed Martin

Company: Enterprise Development Consulting Group (EDG)

Background industries: The Enterprise Development Group (EDG) is an international consulting firm that specializes in innovation strategy and best practices, organization design, and leadership development across a myriad of industries.

Specialties: Climate Strategy, The CO-STAR (TM) pitch, Innovation Best Practices, Leadership Training.

Clients: Apple; Intel, Logitech, BBC; Kaiser Permanente; Swiss.com; Stanford University; Southern California Edison, Lockheed Martin

Company: Consulting & Business Coaching

Background Industries: Digital economies; hardware in technology; blockchain; consulting

Specialties: Circular economies; regenerative design and entrepreneurship; clean tech

Affiliated Organizations: Holo.host; Lifeguides; VEME; Karavan; LUMAN.io; Solar Punk

Company: Deep Blue Institute & UIXGlobal

Background Industries: Consulting; education; blue economy (term for the economics of preservation & regeneration of the marine environment)

Specialties: Sustainable, resilient city development, including infrastructure, design thinking, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, social capital, impact investing, blue economy

Affiliated Organizations: Clean Tech Open, Seasteading Institute, Digital Raign, Meeting of the Minds, Impact Hubs Bay Area & Roma, Prospect Silicon Valley

Bio here.

Company: BorjaPlus

Background Industries: Sales; Marketing (Digital & Physical); Political Campaigning

Specialties: Social media, digital & graphic design, web design, creative development

Affiliated Organizations: City of San Leandro, San Leandro School Board Member; Smart City Diaries

Company: WeAccel

Background Industries: Public Relations, Communications & Digital Branding; Entertainment Journalism (Music, Film)

Specialties: Communications and creative development

Affiliated Organizations: Ann Flower Communications; Lobeline Communications; World Race Productions; Girls Behind the Rock Show; Absolutepunk.net; Substream Magazine; Kennedy Consulting.

Company: Lost Summit Films

Background Industries: Film, Video production

Specialties: Film making, videography, scripting

Associated Projects: Smart City Diaries

Key Projects: Smart City Diaries; Out From the Ashes; Truth is Beauty; A Gentle Walk; Circular Resonance

Company: Consulting & Business Coaching

Background Industries: Digital economies; hardware in technology; blockchain; consulting

Specialties: Circular economies; regenerative design and entrepreneurship; clean tech

Affiliated Organizations: Holo.host; Lifeguides; VEME; Karavan; LUMAN.io; Solar Punk

Company: Deep Blue Institute & UIXGlobal

Background Industries: Consulting; education; blue economy (term for the economics of preservation & regeneration of the marine environment)

Specialties: Sustainable, resilient city development, including infrastructure, design thinking, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, social capital, impact investing, blue economy

Affiliated Organizations: Clean Tech Open, Seasteading Institute, Digital Raign, Meeting of the Minds, Impact Hubs Bay Area & Roma, Prospect Silicon Valley