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José Gaona, a proud first-generation Mexican American born in Michoacán, México and raised in Fort Bragg, California, is the founder and CEO of ZETA (Gen-Z Emerging Technology Action), the nation’s first nonprofit placing Gen Z at the center of tech policy. Gaona leads a team of twenty and builds the pipeline for the next generation of digital policy leaders, advancing equitable AI, broadband access, and clean energy solutions. Under his leadership, ZETA partners with industry giants and federal policymakers alike, amplifying Gen Z’s voice in shaping the digital future.
What is your greatest career accomplishment to date?
Turning ZETA from an idea into a national organization with bipartisan credibility, industry partnerships across tech, energy, and education, and a measurable reach that has grown 200 percent in the last year. In just one year, our work has helped pass the bipartisan Take It Down Act to protect Gen Z online, pushed for nuclear energy regulatory reform to help new generation nuclear meet AI-driven energy demand for years to come, and defended affordable broadband access for young people. We’ve convened dozens of congressional offices and dozens of federal agencies around Gen Z perspectives, proving that our generation can lead.
What is your greatest personal accomplishment to date?
Becoming a US citizen is the accomplishment I hold closest to my heart. It reflects my family’s journey from Mexico to a small coastal town in California and my own journey alone to Washington, DC; I arrived to DC in 2015 with only a suitcase and a pillow, knowing no one. I chose to come here, because I was inspired by the promise of helping to shape a better future for communities around the US. Over the years I built a career in national policy and advocacy while helping to support my family back in California. For me, citizenship is more than a legal status. It is the culmination of years of hard work, resilience, and the privilege of being able to give back to our country.
What do you do today to impact your community?
Beyond ZETA, I mentor young leaders one on one, help first generation students navigate life in Washington, DC, and carry with me the principle that even if you help one person, you have made a worthwhile difference.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Still building at the intersection of policy, technology, and leadership. Whether scaling ZETA or launching new ventures that give young people agency in shaping our future, the work will continue. I want to be influencing how emerging technologies are developed, regulated, and accessed, while mentoring the next wave of leaders to do the same.
What is the biggest issue that you want to help solve, and why?
I’m working to close the representation gap in tech policy by ensuring that Gen Z is not just talked about but directly involved in decisions on AI, energy, data privacy, digital access, and the future of work. We are the first truly digital-native generation, yet our voices are often excluded from shaping the rules of the digital world we’re living in. Representation here isn’t just about fairness, it’s about designing a future that works for everyone.
What is a moment when you realized the impact of your work?
Hearing from former interns and mentees who have found value in the work we have carried out together and used that professional experience to find success and accomplishment is truly one of those recurring moments when you feel the impact of your work.
What advice would 10-year-old you be shocked to hear you followed?
My ten-year-old self would be shocked to know that I decided to live my truth. Today I speak freely and openly about my identity and the life experiences that shaped me, using them to help others feel seen and valued. As a shy child, I was always worried about public perception and afraid of coming out of the closet. Over time I learned that authenticity is not just a personal choice but a form of leadership. By showing up as my full self, I create space for others to do the same, and that has been one of the most powerful tools in my work and my life.
What’s a cultural tradition that always brings you joy?
Living far from all of my family in California and México means I have to be intentional about maintaining cultural practices. The one tradition I cannot go without is creating an altar for Day of the Dead and spending days baking pan de muerto and preparing Mexican food leading up to the celebration to honor and remember my ancestors. My family in Michoacán live in one of the regions where the celebration carries deep historical significance. They honor the day by cleaning and decorating the tombs of our ancestors and spending the entire night there, sharing stories, listening to music, and eating together. This tradition keeps me grounded in where I come from and reminds me of whose shoulders I stand on in my work.
What song do you listen to that motivates you?
“Derecho de Nacimiento” by Natalia Lafourcade, featuring Loc Macorinos.
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