Building an Operating System for Democracy: My Journey as an Entrepreneur for Social Good

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When I founded Streamline, I wasn’t just starting another software company—I was tackling a problem at the heart of our democracy.

Special districts, the most local form of government, are responsible for essential services like water, fire protection and transit. Yet, many lacked the tools to communicate effectively, remain compliant and operate efficiently.

My goal was to change that.

This mission—to protect local democracy—was deeply influenced by my time at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management (GSM). The MBA program didn’t just teach me how to build a business; it taught me how to build a business that makes an impact.

You Can’t Do Good if You’re Not Doing Well

One of the most important lessons I learned at the GSM is that mission-driven businesses must also be financially sustainable.

Early in my career, I launched Digital Deployment, a consultancy that took on large, complex digital transformation projects. While rewarding, these one-off engagements weren’t scalable.

The Graduate School of Management helped me recognize that if I truly wanted to create lasting change, I needed a different approach—one that could grow, adapt, and serve thousands of organizations at scale.

That insight led to the founding of Streamline, a platform designed to give special districts the tools they need to communicate with their communities, comply with evolving regulations, and operate more effectively.

Business as a Catalyst for Change

One of the greatest advantages of running a business instead of a nonprofit is the ability to take big risks—and sustain them.

Governments move slowly, and nonprofits often operate with limited resources. But a mission-driven business can invest in innovation, move quickly and adapt to meet the needs of the people it serves.

That’s exactly what we did when we focused on making government websites accessible for people with disabilities. In 2018, we saw the impact that digital barriers had on individuals who rely on assistive technologies—like screen readers or keyboard navigation—to access public information.

With new legal requirements emerging, we built accessibility compliance directly into Streamline’s platform, ensuring that all our customers could provide equal access to their communities.

This wasn’t just about checking a compliance box. It was about giving millions of Americans—including veterans, seniors and individuals with visual or motor impairments—access to critical local government services. Today, every website we power meets or exceeds the latest ADA accessibility standards, helping ensure that no one is left behind.

The Power of Scale

When I first started out, I was helping individual organizations modernize their digital presence. Now, with Streamline, we’re helping entire sectors of government become more transparent, accessible and effective.

That’s the power of scale.

Today, Streamline serves 2,300 customers across 41 states, with a growing team of 54 staff at our headquarters in Sacramento. Our work has helped thousands of local agencies—from small fire districts to large water utilities—improve communication, meet compliance requirements and better serve their communities.

None of this would have been possible without the lessons I learned at The Graduate School of Management: how to scale a mission-driven company, build sustainable business models and take on risks that lead to meaningful change.

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A Mission-Centric Future

Looking ahead, the work is far from over. As regulations evolve and expectations for government transparency increase, Streamline will continue to lead the way in providing accessible, compliant and innovative solutions for special districts. And every time I see a fire district improve its public communication, a water district operate more efficiently or a transit agency better serve its riders, I’m reminded that the principles I learned at GSM continue to guide me.

If you’re an MBA student, or considering the program, and wondering whether business can be a force for good—the answer is a resounding yes. With the right foundation, a mission-driven mindset, and a willingness to take risks, you can build something that not only succeeds but also makes a meaningful impact on the world.

Let’s Connect

I’d love to hear from current and prospective UC Davis students who are interested in using business as a tool for change. Connect with me on LinkedIn or visit Streamline's website to learn more about our work.

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