If you’d told college-age me that I’d become a software developer, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Programming was a hobby I picked up as a kid - my friend’s dad worked at IBM and used to bring us junk computer parts and programming books. Computers had always made intuitive sense to me, but I assumed a career in tech would be lonely and isolating, so in college I majored in English and political science.
Taking a Calculated Leap
I spent five years in HR, mostly because it felt similar to my experience working a part-time job in the admissions department during college. And, well, I needed a job. But on the side, I started teaching myself to code. I did online courses, a night class at NYU, and read as many books as I could. Eventually I mustered the courage to apply for my first dev job at a small security company in New York. That job wasn’t glamorous, but it gave me the opportunity to start building real experience.
After moving to Baltimore, I bounced around a bit before landing at Connections Education, part of Pearson. I built interactive learning tools for online public schools - digital versions of what used to be textbook exercises. Looking back, it’s funny how similar that work is to some of what I’m doing now at Leverege.
Eventually, things shifted at that company. I was going to have to completely re-learn a new tech stack, and I felt like I’d plateaued. I wanted to keep growing, to work with people I could learn from - people who were smarter than me and kind enough to share their knowledge.
Enter Leverege.
No Pretending, Just Problem Solving
I don’t remember exactly how I came across Leverege back in 2018, but I remember the feeling I got during the interviews: this is a place where smart people don’t pretend to know everything. I felt like I could be honest about what I did and didn’t know. I remember John Phelps cracking a joke and being so self-deprecating that I instantly relaxed. That kind of humility and humor is still one of the best parts of working here.
Even our technical interview left me feeling good, despite how tough it was. I didn’t have a background in algorithms or formal comp sci education, but I could reason through problems. And that was valued. Not just what you know, but how you think.
From Firefighting to Frameworks
When I joined, Leverege was still very young - maybe ten people total. Things were chaotic in the best way. We had a few big clients who were also figuring things out, which gave us room to make mistakes and learn fast. I remember late-night deployments, conference room interventions, and the feeling that we were all in it together.
That kind of pressure-cooker environment forged strong bonds. It wasn’t always sustainable, but it was formative. And now? We’re much more disciplined. We have processes, review systems, rollbacks. We’ve grown up in the best ways. But I’ll always remember the early, somewhat chaotic days fondly.
Designing Tools to Empower Others
Today, my work is a little quieter and a lot more thoughtful. I focus on building UI tools and internal systems that make developers’ lives easier. I like thinking through how someone might use a tool - how to make it intuitive, logical, almost like storytelling. The goal isn’t to build the flashiest thing, but the thing that just makes sense. That someone can look at and say, “Yep, that’s exactly how I would’ve built it.”
It’s not always the hardest programming when you go to implementation, but it’s some of the most rewarding because of the careful, abstract thought involved. It’s about creating something useful, something that removes friction for the people around me.
Why I’ve Stayed 7 Years and Counting: Smart People, No Egos
Leverege has a culture of curiosity, accountability, and kindness. You’re expected to take ownership of your work, to poke at the edges, to care about doing things well. But you’re also surrounded by people who are generous with their time and knowledge. People who will admit when they’re wrong, compliment you when you do something well, and help you recover when you mess up.
It’s also a place where remote work actually works. I can manage my own schedule and focus deeply without constant interruptions. That autonomy suits me, and it’s possible because we hire people who can handle it - and because our operations team makes remote work seamless.
So if you’re someone who takes pride in your work, who wants to keep learning, and who doesn’t need a manager breathing down your neck to stay productive, you’ll probably do great here.
~ Quick Facts ~
- My Leverege Shoutout: John Phelps. His humility, deep expertise, and sense of humor made a huge impact on me from day one. He embodies the culture of Leverege - kind, brilliant, and always willing to teach.
- Life Outside of Work: I’m currently learning jazz guitar, which has been humbling but rewarding. It’s good to have something I know I’m not great at - it keeps me grounded and stretches my brain in different ways.
- Content Recommendation: I’ve been revisiting The Simpsons. It’s layered with references - so much so that watching it feels like reading Cliff’s Notes for pop culture. There’s something fascinating about how it captured a monoculture we don’t really have anymore.
- Could Give a TED Talk About: Pizza. I grew up in New Jersey, lived in New York, and firmly believe that New York-style pizza is the gold standard. Thin crust, proper structure - Baltimore has its charms, but it’s not pizza country.
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