At The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), we know that empowering tomorrow’s leaders starts with recognizing and investing in grassroots innovation. 

Today, we’re proud to feature Coded by:, a Philadelphia-rooted organization reshaping tech equity and generational wealth. 

From humble rec-center beginnings to a multi-site powerhouse, Coded by: exemplifies the community impact we strive to champion. 

In this candid Q&A with Coded by: CEO Danae Mobley, you’ll discover the spark that ignited the journey, the student successes that fuel the mission, and the belief that true leadership transforms lives from the inside out.

What inspired the creation of Coded by:, and how has the organization evolved since its early days in a South Philly rec center?

Coded by: was born out of a simple but urgent observation. There was incredible talent in our communities that was being overlooked and underinvested in.

Our founder is a Philadelphia native who honed his tech skills in the military and returned home with a mission to build greater equity in tech.

In 2014, we launched in a South Philly rec center with a handful of students and donated laptops.

Even then, we saw potential for something bigger. Since those early days, Coded by: has grown into a regional organization serving over 3,500 students across 50 sites in the Philadelphia region.

Our work evolved from basic coding instruction to a full-scale innovation pipeline. Today, we prepare students to lead in tech, launch ventures, and shape the future on their terms.

We offer programs that teach coding fundamentals plus UI/UX, product management, and entrepreneurship. It started with code, but it has always been about power, purpose, and possibility.

Can you describe how your programming model supports long-term development and leadership among students?
Our model is built on the idea that transformation takes time. We intentionally designed our programs as a multi-year pathway of learning, exploration, and leadership development.

Students begin with introductory workshops and can progress through advanced courses in user experience, software development, and product management. From there, we engage them in hands-on challenges and competitions that foster creativity and resilience.

Students do not just come to Coded by: to learn code—they stay to level up. They return to build real projects, mentor younger learners, lead workshops, and explore entrepreneurship.

We support them from their first lines of code through internships, college and career planning, and startup ideation. We aim for students to feel technically proficient and see themselves as innovators, entrepreneurs, and future executives.

What does that look like in practice, and why is entrepreneurship such a central part of your approach?

At Coded by:, we believe the bar for our young people is often set too low. Many programs imply that building something of their own is out of reach.

We never want to stand in the way of their possibility. That is why entrepreneurship is at the heart of our approach.

We introduce it early and often, not because every student will found a company but because the mindset of creating and owning is powerful. In practice, this means teaching how tech ecosystems work, how products are built, and how capital moves.

Whether students launch companies, lead teams, or start creative projects, they learn to generate value. On graduation, they are ready for jobs that earn more than double the median income or to start sustainable careers.

Could you share a few more examples of how your students have transformed their trajectories through Coded by:?

Our programming at Coded by: is inclusive and accessible to individuals at any stage of their tech journey. We create pathways that enable everyone who joins our community to grow and thrive.

Take Lola: she applied for a high school UI/UX internship to channel her passion for art. Over four programs, she discovered a love for technology and changed her college major to computer science.

Then there are Amin and Amadin, twins who joined through our coding competition. Their experience inspired them to join our staff as instructors while building their startup.

We also have Hager, a mechanical engineering student who interned in a non-engineering role. She challenged herself unexpectedly and gained new skills she carries into her career.

Finally, Tasmin, a home-schooled high schooler, enrolled out of curiosity and found a newfound confidence and passion for technology. These journeys show how Coded by: transforms lives.

How does this continuity of leadership from within help reinforce your mission?

There is something powerful about walking into a classroom and seeing a student who once sat in those seats now leading. Every time that happens, I am reminded how far we have come as an organization.

These young leaders not only gained skills but also developed a deep sense of ownership and purpose. They did not just benefit from Coded by: they believed in it enough to return and help build it.

Their presence reinforces our mission in the most authentic way. They show current students what is possible and bring understanding and inspiration that makes a real difference.

When alumni return to teach and lead, they close the loop. The mission is carried forward by the very people it was designed to serve, and that is the true measure of impact.

How do you ensure your curriculum and mentorship stay relevant and impactful for today’s students?

We treat our curriculum like a product, always in beta and improving. We constantly evaluate what we teach, how we teach, and how it aligns with industry trends.

That means integrating AI, product thinking, and entrepreneurship much earlier in the pipeline. We update content every quarter to reflect emerging technologies and best practices.

We bring in mentors and instructors who are actively working in the field. Their real-world experience helps students navigate rapid change.

Just as importantly, we listen to our students. They are our best source of insight and help us design a curriculum that prepares them for the future.

What’s one lesson or belief you consistently share with your students about career or personal growth?

I often tell students to focus on doing the work before worrying about how it looks. In a world that rewards visibility over substance, real impact happens behind the scenes.

Your growth, skill, and leadership come from consistency, not charisma. I remind them to collect the receipts, arrive early, and take the challenging assignments.

Quiet wins are often the hardest fought and build the foundation you will stand on later. Results may not come overnight, but when they do, they will be real and undeniable.

Above all, I tell them that their dream must be bigger than themselves. If only they benefit from their work, it is not enough.

True purpose creates space for others to rise too. That is the legacy that lasts and the reason to keep going when things get hard.

In addition to funds, how can leaders and organizations best support community-based efforts like yours?

One of the most powerful actions leaders can take is to help frame the problem. When C-suite executives speak clearly about the need to invest in future leaders, it shifts perception and validates long-term investment.

We need leaders who understand that impact takes time. Sustained, strategic support strengthens infrastructure, retains talent, and evolves programming to meet changing needs.

The support we need most helps us scale sustainably, attract top talent, and build programs that are relevant today and resilient for tomorrow. That means multi-year commitments and advisory partnerships.

Your influence matters. When you bring community-based efforts into decision-making rooms and advocate for them as part of your company’s innovation strategy, you create momentum we cannot generate alone.

Learn more about Coded By: https://www.codedby.org/