Al Olender

How my Hudson Valley projects have gotten me thinking about how to imbue software with local flavor.

The field of media ecology can inform how we think about using software to reinforce a sense of place.

Can software feel rooted in the place where it was made?

The original conference talk I gave about Digital Terroir introduced many of the ideas I'm still thinking about, from software & place to the dangers of monoculture.

Is it possible to build software that respects and reinforces a “sense of place,” rather than regressing to some placeless, generic style?

For over 50 years, the Sloop Clearwater has sailed the Hudson River, building awareness and advocating for the region's precious environment.

Recent Marist graduate Dana Jones founded a company that makes doors more accessible using a mobile app.

As president of Scenic Hudson, Ned Sullivan helps steward the Hudson River's incredible natural beauty and environmental resources.

Recording artist and visual artist Jalani Lion recently painted the incredible Black Lives Matter mural in Kingston.

Intrepid adventurer, award-winning journalist, prolific writer and filmmaker, and six-time grantee of the National Geographic Expeditions Council.

Powerhouse singer/songwriter NeeNee Rushie fronts The Big Takeover, the roots reggae band that’s become a Hudson Valley institution.

From their origins in Kingston, brothers Jimmy, Jake, and Jordan DeCicco have gone on to found Super Coffee, a keto-friendly energy drink that's available in supermarkets and gyms everywhere.

Kingston-based Bryan Meador is an artist, designer, and founder of the sustainability-focused design firm Plant Seads.

Rikki Snyder specializes in bright and colorful food, lifestyle, and interior photography for publications, ad campaigns, and books.

Easton LaChappelle is the founder of Unlimited Tomorrow, a company revolutionizing the world of medical prosthetics.

Entrepreneur, technologist, author, and teacher Marva Allen lives in Beacon and runs four businesses.

Jesse Brown is a co-founder of Hudsy, an online video platform that showcases local storytelling and a cooperative model.

From her studio in Kingston, Amber Spiegel's tutorials and stunning creations reach millions of followers.