Matthew McNaughton is the co-founder and Executive Director of the SlashRoots Foundation. Originating as an online community of developers, designers and entrepreneurs throughout the Caribbean, SlashRoots has evolved to help governments and other social impact organizations achieve their missions and empower communities by better using technology and data.

Matthew has a record of excellence in the field of innovation and development. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Computer Science in 2010, Matthew returned to Jamaica where we was a Lead Software Developer at the Mona School of Business, University of the West Indies. He was able to leverage these skills at the World Bank, where he was an Open Innovation and Development Consultant for one year before serving as an Open Innovation Specialist in the Information and Communications Technology Unit for two more years. In this position, Matthew gained considerable knowledge of the applications of technology for social and economic development, leading mobile health projects in West Africa. While working at the Bank, Matthew became even more committed to utilizing his extensive experience and skills to further Caribbean development. Matthew's passion led him to leave the Bank so that he could return full-time to serve as Executive Director of the SlashRoots Foundation, a civic-technology not-for-profit organizations he co-founded in 2010. SlashRoots designs digital services and tools to transform the relationship between Caribbean governments and citizens.

Matthew has mobilized civic innovators across Jamaica and the Caribbean, who are unified by their passion for problem-solving and their commitment to social development. He has organized the annual Developing the Caribbean open data conference and code sprint which is the largest ICT conference in the Caribbean. He also helped to launch "Code for the Caribbean,” the first civic innovation fellowship in the region. Through his hard work and dedication, Matthew hopes to achieve his vision of a Caribbean where communities are connected, and governments are engaging with citizens to drive more effective change.