Trevose, PA — Data Systems Analysts, Inc. (DSA), a leader in delivering secure information management solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense, is pleased to announce that DSA President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board Fran Pierce was honored at the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) at Philadelphia’s Ignite Opportunity Benefit held June 16 at WHYY on North Sixth Street.
Fran was honored along with Lucinda Duncalfe, president and CEO of Monetate, as an entrepreneurial role model and strong supporter of NFTE and its vision. “NFTE teaches young people entrepreneurial thinking,” said Fran Pierce. “So not necessarily just to be an entrepreneur, but the characteristics that entrepreneurs possess, and taking those characteristics into any workplace so it definitely benefits business, whether you start your own company or join another company.”
NFTE is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that helps young people take charge of their studies and future by learning how to become an entrepreneur. It brings together educators and business leaders to give Greater Philadelphia’s most disadvantaged students the cutting-edge skills and experience they need to start successful careers as entrepreneurs and business leaders.
NFTE teaches the “entrepreneurial mindset,” which focuses on the assets of opportunity recognition, comfort with risk, creativity and innovation, future orientation, flexibility and adaptability, critical thinking, problem solving, and communication and collaboration.
Nationally, NFTE makes a significant impact on the outcomes of its students’ academic and career success. In a recent survey of nearly 1,300 NFTE alumni nationwide, 99 percent of those ages 25 and older attained a high school diploma—compared to 85 percent for the general U.S. population. School-age NFTE alumni are 50 percent more likely to be in school, and 88 percent of NFTE high school graduates are employed, compared with 69 percent for the U.S. population.
NFTE alumni earn over 50 percent more than their peers, even more when they work for themselves, and NFTE alumni are twice as likely to become self-employed entrepreneurs compared with the general population.
Giving these youths a strong base and building their confidence will enable a healthy transition into adulthood. With a vision to pursue business opportunities, at-risk youth are inspired to invest in education, their futures, and their own development.
DSA is an employee-owned professional services provider that is ISO 9001: 2008 registered and appraised at CMMI Maturity Level 3 for Service Projects, which enables our customers to reliably achieve sensitive, mission-critical goals. Founded in 1963, DSA has deep expertise and comprehensive understanding of the operational, security, and collaboration challenges our customers must address. Our solutions encompass program and knowledge management, business process engineering, and security. Our services include cyber security, software development, SharePoint solutions, data analytics, and systems engineering and integration. DSA is headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, and has major operations in Washington DC, Aberdeen, MD, Tinton Falls, NJ, O’Fallon, IL, San Antonio, TX, Honolulu, HI, and Denver, CO. For more information, please call toll free at 1-877-422-4DSA.