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Author: Jose

Do your data disappear when recycling laptops in Tampa?

Yes, your data can disappear completely if the recycling follows proper methods. At the Digital Education Foundation, we understand the importance of this, as we work every day to provide students and families with laptops and computers that enable them to learn and stay connected. But to make that possible, we first ensure all previous […]

Laptop access across Tampa communities in 2025

In many parts of Tampa, the day often begins the same way: a shared table, an open notebook, a borrowed phone used for a few minutes of connectivity. For a long time, for many families, studying meant adapting to whatever was available. In 2025, in some of those spaces, something changed. It started simply because […]

Giving students access through recycled laptops in Tampa

At the Digital Education Foundation, access to a computer can transform a student’s school experience. Not because it solves everything, but because it removes a barrier that quietly shapes daily learning. Throughout 2025, we had the chance to walk alongside students and families in Tampa who needed access to technology to keep up with school. […]

How 47 veterans received laptops and digital support through a community effort

On October 24, a group of veterans gathered at Bahia Apartments in Tampa. Some arrived early, chatting quietly, while others took a seat with a cup of coffee. Seniors in Service and Community Tech House had already set up the room, arranged tables, and prepared the materials for the session. The laptops were placed on […]

We Opened a Tech Hub in South St. Pete

Opened in May 2025, our first Tech Hub in South St. Pete is bridging the digital gap with refurbished computers, high-speed internet, and free skills programs—giving the community tools to learn, work, and connect.

“Every story we tell is a chance to bring someone new into this movement.”

Dannet Leon

Marketing & Communications Manager

Storyteller. Strategist. Builder of bridges.

Dannet leads storytelling and strategic communication at DEF, where they connect mission to message across partnerships, campaigns, and digital platforms. With experience in purpose-driven marketing and social impact storytelling, they shape the narratives that help donors, sponsors, and community partners see themselves in the work of bridging the digital divide.
From crafting pitch decks and donor campaigns to amplifying student success stories, Dannet ensures the impact of DEF is seen, felt, and supported—online and off.
Tony founded the Digital Education Foundation to scale that impact, designing turnkey programs that empower students, schools, and families through refurbished technology and digital literacy. His work is driven by a core belief: technology is more than a tool—it’s a lifeline to education, employment, and equity.

Dannet Leon

Founder & CEO

Storyteller. Strategist. Builder of bridges.

Dannet leads storytelling and strategic communication at DEF, where they connect mission to message across partnerships, campaigns, and digital platforms. With experience in purpose-driven marketing and social impact storytelling, they shape the narratives that help donors, sponsors, and community partners see themselves in the work of bridging the digital divide.
From crafting pitch decks and donor campaigns to amplifying student success stories, Dannet ensures the impact of DEF is seen, felt, and supported—online and off.
Tony founded the Digital Education Foundation to scale that impact, designing turnkey programs that empower students, schools, and families through refurbished technology and digital literacy. His work is driven by a core belief: technology is more than a tool—it’s a lifeline to education, employment, and equity.

“Every story we tell is a chance to bring someone new into this movement.”

“When we connect families to technology, we connect them to possibility.”

Veatrice Farrell

Chief Community Officer

Equity strategist. Connector. Grant-getter.

Veatrice leads DEF’s community strategy, championing access to technology for historically excluded populations. In 2025, her leadership helped secure a $6.9M federal grant recommendation from the NTIA to expand digital literacy across St. Petersburg—one of only a few projects selected nationwide.
With a background in banking and over a decade of community revitalization experience as Executive Director of Deuces Live, she brings both strategic insight and grassroots credibility. Veatrice ensures every DEF program—whether a Tech Hub, device drive, or training series—is rooted in real community need. She also co-leads Hypatia Collaborative and serves on several local arts boards, furthering her commitment to equity and cultural empowerment.

Veatrice Farrell

Chief Community Officer

Equity strategist. Connector. Grant-getter.

Veatrice leads DEF’s community strategy, championing access to technology for historically excluded populations. In 2025, her leadership helped secure a $6.9M federal grant recommendation from the NTIA to expand digital literacy across St. Petersburg—one of only a few projects selected nationwide.Tony founded the Digital Education Foundation to scale that impact, designing turnkey programs that empower students, schools, and families through refurbished technology and digital literacy. His work is driven by a core belief: technology is more than a tool—it’s a lifeline to education, employment, and equity.

“When we connect families to technology, we connect them to possibility.”

“We’re not just recycling devices. We’re transforming futures.”

Tony Selvaggio

Founder & CEO

Entrepreneur. Recycler. Impact visionary.

Tony is a purpose-driven entrepreneur focused on environmental sustainability and digital inclusion. He launched eSmart Recycling in 2014 to give discarded electronics a second life—transforming them into opportunity for underserved communities. Under his leadership, the company evolved into a leading social enterprise, blending responsible e-waste recycling with device donations and education access.
Tony founded the Digital Education Foundation to scale that impact, designing turnkey programs that empower students, schools, and families through refurbished technology and digital literacy. His work is driven by a core belief: technology is more than a tool—it’s a lifeline to education, employment, and equity.

Tony Selvaggio

Founder & CEO

Entrepreneur. Recycler. Impact visionary.

Tony is a purpose-driven entrepreneur focused on environmental sustainability and digital inclusion. He launched eSmart Recycling in 2014 to give discarded electronics a second life—transforming them into opportunity for underserved communities. Under his leadership, the company evolved into a leading social enterprise, blending responsible e-waste recycling with device donations and education access.
Tony founded the Digital Education Foundation to scale that impact, designing turnkey programs that empower students, schools, and families through refurbished technology and digital literacy. His work is driven by a core belief: technology is more than a tool—it’s a lifeline to education, employment, and equity.

“We’re not just recycling devices. We’re transforming futures.”