Meet Our Co-Founders

Simon is a results-oriented and visionary technology executive with over two decades of experience leading technical strategy, engineering teams, and innovation. His background spans diverse industries, including non-profit, education, finance, e-commerce, healthcare, and government sectors. He is an experienced hands-on technology leader, a pragmatic problem solver, and a strategic thought leader.

His technical expertise is broad, including proficiency with a variety of programming languages, databases, paradigms, and platforms. He is experienced in developing solutions from scratch, working with off-the-shelf platforms, integrating solutions, and streamlining processes. His core competencies include strategic technology leadership as CTO/CIO, system & solution architecture, data modernization & AI/ML strategy, and devops & agile transformation. He is adept at leading high-performance, geographically dispersed engineering teams and navigating complex regulatory landscapes. As a manager and leader, he operates with a calculated and methodical approach to problem-solving, thriving in collaborative multi-disciplinary environments where he acts as a servant leader who believes above all else, that communication is the key to success.

Simon is not only one of the best programmers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting - but is also one of the best instructors I've ever had the pleasure of learning from.....

former technology student and colleague

After two decades in c-level business and technology leadership, Simon left the private sector to do mission-driven technology leadership work at educational institutions and at non-profit organizations that are committed to equity and social justice. He founded New York App Lab with his wife, Ayesha, because of a mutual desire they have to bring the same ethics and sense of purpose that they both found in non-profit work, to all of their projects.

In addition to being a computer geek, Simon is an avid sailor... a master-licensed US Coast Guard Captain, a US Coast Guard Auxiliarist, and an ASA certified sailing instructor. When he isn't online, Simon is almost always either out on the water, or else he is somewhere spending quality time with his wife and partner, Ayesha, and their two boys.