As the VP of Bitwise Merced, Norma Cardona oversees the development of Bitwise’s new campus in Merced by meeting with all stakeholders including business partners, elected officials and, targeted beneficiaries of the apprenticeship programs in order to ensure its successful implementation. Norma hopes to infuse the Bitwise ecosystem in Merced’s local community and economy, while also helping those traditionally left out of the technology industry.

A native of Santa Maria, CA, Norma joined the Merced community while completing her undergraduate studies at UC Merced, where she earned a B.A. in Psychology and B.S. in Cognitive Science. A lifelong advocate of education, Norma is excited to be working for an organization that has tailored educational opportunities to the needs of the community, specifically in the form of paid apprenticeship programs. When Norma isn’t working, she enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time at home with her partner and English bulldog.