PDI Staff

Dr. Rob McDaniel is administrative lead for WSU Extension Program for Digital Inclusion. He also serves as Extension’s Program Director for Community Development and Associate Dean for University Partnerships.  Rob has extensive experience working with rural Washington communities on public participation in decision-making, strategic planning, economic and organizational development. He provided leadership for the establishment of the WSU Energy Program, the Center to Bridge the Digital Divide and the Washington State University Learning Centers.

Monica Babine is the Senior Associate for Telework at Washington State University Extension’s Program for Digital Inclusion. Her involvement in telework dates back to 1990 where she had her first experience as a teleworker, supervised teleworkers and managed a telework program. Prior to joining WSU, she led a consulting firm that provided presentations, consultation and training for both telework and economic development. Monica was at QWEST for fourteen years where she worked in operations, customer service and public affairs. She currently leads WSU's efforts to assist organizations, individuals and communities accelerate the use of telework. Monica was president of the Pacific Northwest Telework Advisory Council, active in national telework organizations and is passionate about helping others achieve success with telework.

As the Senior Associate for Community Technology, Dr. Matthew Mitchell directs the Community Technology Opportunity Program. Matt has also served as the CBDD Global Networks Deputy Director, focusing on African IT policy and regulation. He has a BA in Philosophy (University of Colorado), an MA in Education (Prescott College), and a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies (Gonzaga University). Matt currently serves on Washington State's Department of Information High Speed Internet Strategy Work Group as well as a member of the Council on Digital Inclusion. His research areas include the impact of information technology (IT) on socioeconomic development, the effects of technology on social justice and inclusion, and leadership in the information society. Matt's programmatic work has dealt with domestic and international socioeconomic development leveraged by the purposeful application of IT.

Debra Akhbari is the Prinicipal Assistant for the Program for Digital Inclusion as well as for the Program Director of Community Resource Development.