Denis Petrov

Denis was born in Moscow. Thanks to his father's job as a mainframe system programmer during 70s and 80s, Denis started working on mainframes and mini-computers at the age of 12. After high school, he studied electronic engineering at the Moscow Mining Institute and then developed software for processing geophysical data and aerial infrared images. After the fall of Communist state, he worked with various NGOs in Moscow, helping them use computer technology to advance social issues.

When he came to the United States, Denis decided to focus exclusively on providing technology services to nonprofits. He spent nearly two years working at Human Rights Watch, while also conducting research on the social impact of multilingual computer communication at The New School for Social Research and Columbia University.

Denis played guitar in garage rock bands in Russia and is now learning to play classical piano. He spends nights and weekends composing music over the Internet with his younger brother who lives in Moscow. Denis walks and roller-blades in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, watches Mets baseball and cop shows, reads books in English and hangs out with his friends.