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Caitlen Macias, 28, founded her company, BotQueen, in 2024 to train nonprofits to use AI safely and effectively. Her work involves demystifying AI, providing training, one-on-one coaching, and consulting, as well as building AI agents and full-scale applications for the nonprofit sector. Macias is also a national speaker and publishes the 'AI for Impact' newsletter, aiming to empower female entrepreneurs and utilize technology for social good.
Caitlen Macias's parents emigrated from Mexico City to Miami in the late 1990s due to civil unrest. Growing up in Boca Raton, Macias's Montessori education fostered her independent learning and critical thinking. She launched her first business at 11, selling handmade toy monkeys. In high school, she co-founded Equal & Empowered, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting equality through education, which received a $9,500 grant from the Philanthropy Tank. This grant funded teen-focused events on women's issues and the publication of a book of essays, poems, and art. During this time, Macias was mentored by Palm Beach philanthropist Julie Fisher Cummings. After earning degrees in sociology from William & Mary and social work from Columbia University, Macias returned to Palm Beach County, working with various nonprofits and as Cummings's personal assistant, gaining insight into the philanthropic world.
Driven by her curiosity about AI, Macias began exploring its potential applications within the nonprofit sector, recognizing its ability to address challenges like staff shortages and complex data analysis. Believing that AI, when properly utilized, could significantly benefit nonprofits, she established BotQueen.ai. Through her company, Macias functions as a workflow and operational consultant with deep AI expertise, helping nonprofits integrate technology intentionally. She collaborates with organizations like Nonprofits First, advising them on safe AI usage and connecting with its members through monthly forums. Trudy Crowetz, CEO of Nonprofits First, praised Macias for her unprecedented knowledge and her role in helping other nonprofits adopt AI, calling her a 'superstar' in the sector.
Macias highlights key errors made by small businesses and nonprofits regarding AI. The primary mistake is attempting to cut costs, emphasizing that quality AI solutions require investment, akin to baking a professional cake without an Easy-Bake Oven. Following this, not investing in proper training and failing to establish robust AI policies are the next biggest pitfalls. Many organizations lack a governance structure for AI use. Macias stresses the importance of 'Human in the Loop' (HITL), an acronym she coined, to ensure human oversight. She warns that AI is a tool, not infallible, and requires human accountability for content. Users must double-check AI-generated information, question its 'yes-man' tendencies, and be aware of 'hallucinations' where AI invents plausible but incorrect facts. BotQueen aims to guide nonprofits in avoiding these issues by integrating appropriate AI products with necessary guardrails and caution signs. To further address this, Macias partnered with Chase Fopiano, a cybersecurity and digital investigations expert, to build AI policies and promote responsible AI.
Macias attributes her success to strategically choosing good mentors and collaborators, advising other female founders in the tech space not to try to do everything alone. She collaborates with business partners Javier Sanchez and Thomas Nguyen, who co-founded BeeNex, an AI diagnostic and development studio specializing in cybersecurity. BeeNex builds and fine-tunes custom AI chatbots and products for clients. Additionally, Macias partnered with Vicki Pugh to create an AI-powered fundraising program for nonprofit professionals, which includes coaching, prompt guides, data analysis tips, and expert insights. Her commitment to youth mentorship and encouraging young women in tech extends to her recent recruitment by Youth for Responsible AI, where she will work with young adults globally to develop an AI literacy toolkit for schools. Macias views helping people, mentoring youth, and fostering female entrepreneurship in tech as her enduring passion and legacy.