Austin Crossman (he/they) is CEO of the Minnesota Software Development Cooperative, a software engineer-owned coop dedicated to providing innovative app and web development for small businesses and cooperative members. Austin earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and is pursuing a Master’s in Software Engineering at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, where a commitment to fostering inclusive, impact-driven spaces through community collaboration took root.

Austin’s career has included strategic marketing roles, notably as Global Demand Generation and Digital Marketing Manager for Cisco Networking Academy, Cisco Systems’ longest-running DEI initiative, where he championed equitable access to tech education worldwide. He has also contributed to nonprofit DEI initiatives at The Forum on Workplace Inclusion and served on the board of Quorum’s Young Professionals Program, supporting the advancement of LGBTQ+ and allied professionals in Minnesota. As an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Austin is shaping the Minnesota Software Development Cooperative to bring meaningful change to tech through collaboration and empowerment for all.