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"Heart Centered TECH" defines a revolutionary period in technology that emerged during the app development boom from 2012 to 2020 in California. Rooted in the belief that technology should serve the greater human good, the movement emphasized a work/play balance that opened the heart—allowing innovation to be guided by empathy, social impact, and purpose.

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This cultural shift drew many developers and tech leaders away from the competitive pressures of Silicon Valley to the more balanced and creative energy of Santa Monica, California—then known as Silicon Beach. There, a new kind of tech ecosystem blossomed, centered on collaboration, mindfulness, and community benefit.

 

As part of this movement, the Heart Centered TECH Leadership Awards were established to honor those embodying these values. The awards became a high distinction within the California tech scene, with Senator Ben Allen, Congressman Ted Lieu, and Assemblymember Richard Bloom with founder Jude Belanger presented these honors to innovators committed to using technology as a force for good.

 

In time, even Silicon Valley—once defined by high-stakes competition—began to embrace the spirit of the awards, recognizing that leading with heart not only created more meaningful innovation but also opened new pathways for sustainable growth and profitability.