Nicole (Cole) Ann Hargrove lives by the belief - Empower through sharing knowledge, Create global impact, and Leave a legacy! With over two decades in Information Technology, Cole has worked at IBM and Salesforce, developing innovative solutions with emerging technologies like AI, Design Thinking, eCommerce, Big Data, and Cloud. She has collaborated with clients across various industries, including Healthcare, Government, Retail, and Financial Services.

In 2020, Cole transitioned to Educational Technology (EdTech), becoming the Technology Enablement Program Manager for DevOps at Strategio in 2021. She designed an eight-week training program, led the technology team, and integrated workforce education requirements.

Currently, Cole is pursuing a Master of Arts in Educational Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (MEITE) at UNC Chapel Hill, specializing in Learning Engineering. She is also the graduate assistant for Generative AI for UNC Chapel Hill University Libraries, Digital Research Services and the inaugural Betty Debnam Hunt and Richard M. Hunt Technology and Discovery Fellow.

Cole holds a B.S.B.A. in Accounting and Information Systems from Old Dominion University and an M.S. in Information and Telecommunication Systems from Johns Hopkins University. She is passionate about teaching technology and professional development skills to various groups and volunteers with INTech Foundation board member focused on educational programming

In her free time, Cole enjoys traveling, reading, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and spending time with friends and family.