Software Engineering Coaches, Events, and Resources

My path from theatre design to MS in Computer Science (Georgia Tech), through Staff Platform Engineer and Software Architecture roles to CTO, taught me that technical excellence and developer happiness are the same goal. As a career switcher who's made the Staff+ transition myself, I understand both the wandering path and what it really takes to level up—it's not just about code, it's about creating environments where engineers thrive. I bring a unique blend of technical depth and human insight: interviewing legends like Kernighan, Beck, and Fowler through Book Overflow while delivering real results—23% cycle time reduction, 2-hour builds to 20 minutes, monthly releases to daily deployments. Whether you're preparing for Staff+, implementing platform engineering, or transforming developer experience, I'll help you stop fighting your tools and start loving your work again. You'll ship faster, stress less, and finally have the influence to fix what's been driving you crazy—because I've been there, fixed it, and know exactly how to get you there too.

I broke into Verily (an Alphabet subsidiary) as a new grad without a single formal SWE internship, recruiting during one of the toughest markets in recent memory, at a moment when AI was fundamentally reshaping how companies screen and hire. I know firsthand how to navigate a process that's moving fast and often feels opaque. Since joining Verily, I've seen it from both sides: the resumes that make it past screening and exactly what strong technical candidates look like in an interview room. I focus on the full pipeline: building a resume that gets past AI screeners, preparing for technical interviews, and leveraging networking in a market where who you know matters more than ever. If you're trying to break in without a perfect background, I'd love to help.

Being in the software engineering space for over 20 years across multiple roles and organizations of different shapes and sizes has taught me a thing or two about how to build teams and deliver some incredible projects. I specialize in leading product and platform engineering teams at mid to late stage + enterprise organizations. I have been a people leader now for over 10 years and have had the fortune or working with some really good folks; some who achieved great results and some who didn't that gave me an opportunity to find ways to unlock their careers. Additionally, I am an advisor to VCs, early strange start ups and consult on various expert consulting platforms like Tegus. How can I help you? Or what can I coach you on? Really anything in people leadership like how to promote platform engineers, how to write strategy documents? How do I get promoted to Director? What should an interview panel look like for an infra engineer? How to resolve conflicts at work? How to read a room? How to run an effective meeting? How to continue to remain technical as a people leader? You have a need, feel free to ask and we can go from there.

Senior Software Engineer with 8+ years of deep expertise in backend infrastructure and distributed systems, working at top-tier tech companies like Snap, Google and AWS. Proven track record in leading teams, architecting scalable data solutions, and driving impactful innovations in cloud infrastructure and big data platforms. Adept at delivering high-performance, low-cost storage and compute solutions while mentoring and guiding engineering teams. I've successfully coached five individuals, helping them navigate their engineering careers and achieve their professional goals. If you're looking to break into or advance in the tech industry, let's connect and create a tailored plan for your success!

Here are my qualifications: - CTO at Leland (hiring and leading engineers from top organizations like LinkedIn, Amazon, etc.) - Former Engineering Team Lead at another startup - Former SWE at 2 other startups (Series B and seed/Series A) - SWE Internships at small and large organizations (e.g. AWS, LiveView Technologies) I am a good fit for you if you are interested in (1) breaking into a SWE role, (2) wanting to enhance your software engineering skills, (3) deciding whether to pursue big tech vs. a startup, (4) thinking about entrepreneurship, or (5) looking to land a SWE management position.

I am a Staff Software Engineer at LinkedIn with more than twelve years of hands-on experience building and operating large-scale backend and full-stack systems, including LinkedIn’s latest generative AI products like AccountIQ and Seller Assistant. Inside LinkedIn I mentor engineers through our formal coaching program, guiding them from entry level to senior and staff roles while sharpening their system-design thinking, coding-interview skills, and promotion or compensation negotiation strategies. I also volunteer with Code Tenderloin and coach privately, helping career switchers break into engineering roles at leading global tech firms such as Google, Amazon, and other Fortune 500 innovators. Clients who work with me routinely achieve concrete results in six to eight weeks: landing new roles, securing promotions, and delivering complex features with improved reliability and performance. My coaching blends deep technical insight with clear, actionable feedback and a strong focus on mindset, so you leave each session equipped with both the hard skills and the confidence needed to excel in today’s software-engineering landscape.

I've been managing software engineers for most of my career and now manage groups of 10-15 engineers. I've managed and coached several engineers who have specifically called me out for helping them make the next jump in their career after they struggled with it for multiple years. This success has led to some engineers at my company specifically requesting me as a coach. My specialty is in goal setting and follow through. I help people break down their goals into manageable, well-defined steps, and then push for weekly progress. No matter how lofty the goal, making concrete progress every week will get you there.

I'm a Software Development Engineer at Google and a deferred MBA admit to Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. I’ve previously interned at JPMorgan Chase and Capital One, where I built large-scale tools for system optimization and operational efficiency. Across these experiences, I've not only navigated the recruiting process at top tech firms, but also developed a deep understanding of what it takes to stand out—from crafting standout resumes to excelling in behavioral and technical interviews. Whether you're breaking into tech, navigating internship recruiting, or balancing software engineering and business goals, I’m here to help you move with clarity and confidence.

Welcome to my profile! As a Co-Founder and Principal Engineer at Leland, I have a deep understanding of the software engineering industry and a passion for helping others succeed in this field. With a background in electrical and computer engineering, including a Master's degree from the University of Michigan, I bring a strong technical foundation to my coaching. I have mentored several junior engineers in LinkedIn and grow them successfully, leveraging my experience as a software engineer and entrepreneur to guide them towards achieving their career goals. Whether you're looking to break into the industry, advance your skills, or navigate career transitions, I'm here to provide personalized guidance and support. Let's connect and take your software engineering career to the next level!

Hello and welcome to my profile! With a robust background as a Senior Software Engineer at Google, I specialize in building end-to-end data frameworks and facilitating decision-making at scale. My journey through top tech companies like Uber and Foursquare has equipped me with the skills to help others excel in the software engineering field. Over the years, I've successfully coached 18 individuals, guiding them to achieve their career goals in tech. Whether you're looking to break into the industry or advance your current career, I'm here to provide personalized guidance and support. Let's connect and chart your path to success in software engineering!