I have been working in software development for more than 20 years as a developer, technical sales advocate, teacher, certification developer, and engineering manager. I worked for IBM, SAP, Coder Academy, and currently am a lead engineer at Clipchamp@Microsoft.

When I started my career in 1999, I was a 26 year-old mom of three, going to school while I worked as a student researcher and volunteered as a tutor. I came into that career at IBM by chance - by a marvelous serendipity. I did not have a software engineering degree - or any degree at that point. I believe I was given a chance based on my passion for learning, my true desire to collaborate with other people to work on meaningful endeavors, and my boldness and courage to try and fail because that's how we build and do things that really matter. At the point IBM offerred me a position, I had never even considered a career in software engineering (I was studying Chemistry at the time).

So what happened?

I met a bunch of amazing women (one who was my first manager) and I realised that I actually did enjoy getting paid to solve problems with software engineering, and I still do! Not only that, but it has always given me a life with many options that have allowed me to thrive in my career while raising a family.

I also love teaching, and even though I'm working as a software engineer again after teaching at Coder Academy for a couple of years, I still enjoy mentoring developers. After all, I learn as much from those I teach as they do from me!

Outside of my career, I enjoy reading, writing, making music and art, meditation, being amazed by the miracle of existence, and being the servant of three cats.