If you told me back in 1996, when I was working in customer service, that one day I’d be managing a QA team in tech, building a department from scratch, and loving every bit of it, I’m not sure I would’ve believed you. But here I am, over 15 years into software testing, still excited to break things on purpose.
I’ve worn many hats in my career, from banking to healthcare to EDI systems. But it wasn’t until I stumbled into a software QA role at a healthcare software company in 2010 that I found something that truly lit me up. I remember thinking, “Wait a second… you’re telling me I get paid to find all the ways something can break?” It felt like a subconscious challenge every time I got a new feature. There’s no way this is perfect. Let me dig in.
Saying Yes to the Right Kind of Challenge
When I first heard about Leverege, I wasn’t actively job-hunting, I was just… tired. Burnt out. Frustrated. I was working at a company where QA had become a dumping ground. My manager left, wasn’t replaced, and suddenly I was juggling offshore contractors, local teams, and early-morning meetings with folks in Israel—all while raising a young son and navigating personal loss.
So when a friend I’d worked with before said, “They’re looking for a QA person at Leverege. I know you can do this,” I decided to stick my neck out. I met with Hannah and Dani, and what they described (building out a QA process from the ground up) was exactly the kind of challenge I was craving.
Creating Something From Nothing
When I joined Leverege, testing was being done from a spreadsheet. No centralized test cases, no integration with Jira, no version control. I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was until I started building the system we use now and saw how much it helped not just in QA, but also in training, onboarding, and aligning across the team.
At first, I was overwhelmed. I was in my 40s, stepping into a new industry, working remotely with incredibly smart people fresh out of college. It triggered all my insecurities. I remember crying to Hannah, saying, “Are y’all going to fire me?” But no one ever made me feel less-than. In fact, Hannah and Dani constantly reminded me, “We don’t even know what to expect. We just want you to help us make this better.”
With that support, I found my rhythm. I stopped comparing myself to others, and started owning what I brought to the table. Now, I’m not just writing and executing test cases - I’m managing and mentoring the next generation of QA analysts, and I absolutely love it.
My Day-to-Day: Quality, Mentorship, and Impact
These days, my role includes a healthy mix of testing, writing test cases, and syncing with product and development teams to make sure what we deliver matches what the customer actually wants. I manage release cycles, track blockers, and most importantly, I support and train my teammate Brianna, helping her grow her skills and confidence in QA.
One of the most rewarding parts of my job is unblocking people. Whether it’s helping Brianna or answering a question from another team, I love being that person who can help someone move forward. And I’m excited for the future - bringing on more junior QAs, instilling best practices, and continuing to hold the line on quality.
A Culture That Feels Like Home
Here’s the thing about Leverege: it’s not just smart people working on cool tech. It’s good people. Genuine people. I’ve worked in environments where climbing the ladder meant stepping on others. Here, it’s the opposite. People help each other. Dani, for example, used to help me test late into the night during crunch times. She’d stay up, do her own job, and then tackle test cases just to lighten my load. That kind of selflessness is rare, and it’s not just her. It’s the culture here.
And while I’m often the oldest person in the room (and the only mom) I never feel out of place. No one has ever made me feel like “the old one.” That was in my own head. Everyone just treats each other like equals, and that’s not something I take for granted.
Remote Work, Real Flexibility
Being fully remote is a huge part of why this job works for me. I have an 8-year-old son, and being present for him (school events, sports, life) is everything. At Leverege, I don’t have to choose between being a good parent and being a good employee. I can be both.
We’re remote, but not disconnected. Our weekly all-hands meetings, transparency from leadership, and the trust we’re given to work independently make a huge difference. You’re trusted to get your work done, and that trust empowers you to do your best work.
Why Leverege Might Be Right For You
If you’re someone who wants to work hard, take pride in your craft, and be part of something meaningful, Leverege could be the place for you. But if you’re looking to just coast or need someone watching over your shoulder to stay on track, this probably isn’t your jam.
You’ll be given autonomy, support, and the chance to make a real impact - if you’re ready to own it.
~ Quick Facts ~
- My Leverege Shoutout: Dani is my Leverege hero. From day one, she’s been in the trenches with me, helping test, offering support, and growing into a truly incredible leader. Watching her evolve has been one of the best parts of my time here.
- Life Outside of Work: My 8-year-old son Winston keeps me on my toes! He’s into everything, especially flips on the trampoline and ninja-style activities. Between him and supporting my husband’s recovery from a recent injury, life is busy, but I’m grateful I can be present through it all.
- Content Recommendation: If you’re considering a QA role, watch Groundhog Day. It perfectly captures the repetition we live through as testers. Also, check out any content about demolition sports - you’ll learn to love breaking things in the best way possible.
- Could Give a TED Talk About: Quality. I care deeply about doing things right the first time and teaching others to value that too. QA is the gatekeeper of quality, and I believe in holding the line so customers get the best experience possible.
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