Who we are

Redefining the limits of what's possible through technology

Each day, our team challenges itself to discover new ways to drive progress, from co-creating visionary technology solutions for ambitious goals to fostering diverse and inclusive work environments. With our Nerds at the forefront, we’re constantly innovating to help everyone we partner with reach beyond their potential.

Delivering extraordinary outcomes

For over two decades, Nerdery has been powered by a single belief: extraordinary outcomes are born from extraordinary people. We’ve built a culture where trust, growth, and purpose empower our teams to challenge what’s comfortable and continuously push the boundaries of technology.

We believe a solution’s true worth is measured by its impact, not just the code behind it. That’s why we act as owners, partnering deeply with our clients to deliver tangible, lasting value. Our commitment is to ensure every investment is intentional and practical, helping you embrace a more digital and innovative future.

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Core values

Integrity, tenacity, and collaboration. These traits help us deliver innovative solutions that enable our partners to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Prompting us to swiftly adapt to our clients’ needs — minimizing disruption and accelerating progress.

Be tenacious icon

Be tenacious

We ferociously reject the concept of “can’t,” and constantly push the barriers that are set in front of us.  We don’t give up on technical problems or business challenges. We are un-stumpable by choice, fueled by the conviction that a path to success always exists if we are determined enough to find it. We persevere when others have given up, and we take pride in our ability to never let a problem get the best of us. We have grit.

Act with integrity

Act with integrity

We believe no amount of success, profit, or victory is worth compromising our integrity. We strive to do the right thing every time. We take responsibility for the commitments we make to our customers and employees, and we believe it is our solemn obligation to follow through on them. Trust is the foundation of everything we build.

In it together

In it together

We amplify our strength through our collective effort, an effort rooted in mutual respect and a genuine desire to see each other succeed. We each bring our best work to the table and share accountability, knowing an environment of trust is where the greatest ideas are unlocked. This means we act with empathy, assume positive intent, and offer support before it’s asked for. This spirit of service extends to our clients, as we build solutions with them, not just for them.

Own the outcome

Own the outcome

We believe in acting as owners, taking proactive and full responsibility for the quality and success of our work from start to finish. This means embracing absolute ownership of our actions, our commitments, and their impact. Ultimately, we are driven by a deep-seated pride in seeing our work through to a successful outcome.

Master the craft

Master the craft

We are dedicated to being the very best at what we do, driven by a passion for our work. This means not only mastering our skills but also using that expertise to pioneer what’s next. We believe true mastery is dynamic. It is fueled by a relentless curiosity that challenges what’s comfortable and a commitment to experimentation. We advance our craft by continually learning, innovating from a position of deep knowledge, and setting a higher standard for ourselves and our industry.

Be customer obsessed

Be customer obsessed

Our obsession is not just with our work, but with the impact it creates for our clients. This drives us to be true partners, immersing ourselves in their world to understand their goals and challenges. We leverage our expertise to anticipate their needs and guide them toward the best outcomes. We connect our actions to their success and hold ourselves accountable for the quality and effectiveness of our contribution.

Leadership

Mike Schmidt

Mike Schmidt

Chief Executive Officer

Mike is a seasoned leader with 20 years experience in digital business consulting, where he is best known for solving complex business challenges and maximizing client outcomes through technology. He co-founded Nerdery in 2003, serving as CIO and then Chairman of Nerdery’s Board of Directors until being named CEO in 2020.

Saima Prabhu

Saima Prabhu

President, Custom Software Development

With over 28 years of deep expertise, Saima brings an innovative approach to client solutions. She combines strategic vision with an unwavering commitment to delivery excellence, ensuring Nerdery's solutions consistently exceed expectations. Under her leadership, the team is focused on strategically integrating new technologies, including AI, to drive business value for both new and long-standing clients.

Jake Pomplun

Jake Pomplun

President, Cloud, Data, AI Platforms

Jake brings over 15 years of experience leading businesses through rapidly changing technology environments. He is focused on accelerating growth through strategic partnerships and building specialized expertise. Under his guidance, the team will deliver innovative solutions to help clients capitalize on the immense opportunities presented by cloud, data, and AI/ML.

Rachel Alm

Rachel Alm

Vice President of People Operations

As the head of Nerdery’s People Operations, Rachel leads initiatives focused on cultivating talent growth strategies and supporting Nerdery’s highly engaging work culture. Her success is rooted in her holistic HR approach, aiming to empower employees through meaningful career experiences and understanding their life goals.

Steve Arndt

Steve Arndt

Chief Financial Officer

Steve joined Nerdery in 2015 as CFO and is responsible for the Finance, Legal and Nerd Support teams, as well as the Operations team. A certified CPA, Steve ensures the business strategy is properly funded and drives enterprise value.

Mike Schmidt

Chief Executive Officer

Mike is a seasoned leader with 20 years experience in digital business consulting, where he is best known for solving complex business challenges and maximizing client outcomes through technology. He co-founded Nerdery in 2003, serving as CIO and then Chairman of Nerdery’s Board of Directors until being named CEO in 2020.

Steve Arndt

Chief Financial Officer

Steve joined Nerdery in 2015 as CFO and is responsible for the Finance, Legal and Nerd Support teams, as well as the Operations team. A certified CPA, Steve ensures the business strategy is properly funded and drives enterprise value.

Jake Pomplun

Chief Growth Officer

As Nerdery’s Chief Growth Officer, Jake leads the Business Development team focusing on expansion opportunities, market penetration and delivering consistent value to new and current clients. With deep experience in leading businesses through digital transformation, Jake continues to redefine go-to-market strategies and deliver top-line growth.

Saima Prabhu

Senior Vice President of Client Services

With a track record of 26+ years, Saima brings deep expertise and an innovative approach to client services. Her unwavering commitment to delivery excellence, coupled with a strategic vision and a deep-rooted emphasis on culture and value creation, has consistently elevated Nerdery’s client experience.

Rachel Alm

Vice President of People Operations

As the head of Nerdery’s People Operations, Rachel leads initiatives focused on cultivating talent growth strategies and supporting Nerdery’s highly engaging work culture. Her success is rooted in her holistic HR approach, aiming to empower employees through meaningful career experiences and understanding their life goals.

Justin Richie

Vice President of Data and AI

Justin spearheads Nerdery’s data and AI team, expertly crafting and scaling solutions that drive impactful customer outcomes. He is passionate about building cross-functional teams — with a focus on becoming more data-driven. As AI evolves, Nerdery will focus more on value generation and building positive ROI. Justin’s team will be at this intersection with the ever-changing velocity of AI adoption.

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How we live our purpose

Nerdery is a purpose-driven company with a vision to relentlessly invent a world that works better for all. We bring this vision to life in how we work with our clients and through our purpose-driven programs.

Diversity

We strive to create a workplace that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion — enabling all employees to thrive and feel valued. Recognizing that this work is ongoing, our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) committee provides opportunities for Nerds to make a positive impact through quarterly sub-committees focused on dedicated topics within the DEIB space. The goal of this committee is education, celebration, and thoughtful discussions to spark positive change.

Community

For 20 years, Nerdery has worked to support our communities — connecting with individuals and organizations who share our purpose-driven philosophy. Each year, we host an Extra Life Gaming fundraiser to contribute to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, raising over $400,000 to date. Our Nerdery Gives Back program provided free digital assistance to small businesses in Arizona, Illinois, and Minnesota during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic. We have also partnered with Amplify, an organization that supports the technology needs of entrepreneurs in underrepresented communities.

Sustainability

Our services are thoughtfully delivered, with an emphasis on protecting the environment and reducing our carbon footprint. For example, by eliminating the need for data centers in our offices and instead using cloud hosting solutions, we eliminate more than 122,000 lbs of carbon emissions each year. Within our offices, we also reduce waste through recycling, composting, as well as motion-detecting electrical, lighting, and heating systems — all in our effort to support a greener future.

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