I am an accomplished engineering & design leader with over 15 years of experience in tech in NYC. I most recently worked in engineering leadership at Adobe, building and maintaining cloud infrastructure to enable artists across the world. In 2023, I left big tech to focus on AI and related projects. Since then, I’ve been making art, writing, and making apps with friends.
The best piece of career advice I've ever received
Follow your curiosity and keep your eyes open for opportunities -- sometimes the best career moves come when you least expect them.
Robert Bertanga
MIT Sloan — MBA Candidate
Mentored projects from schools in:Brooklyn, NY
About
Robert is an MBA Candidate and MIT Sloan studying Entrepreneurship and Finance. Previously, he worked in Product & Strategy at Comply f/k/a RIA in a Box and earned his Bachelor's in Applied Math from Harvard College.
Darlene Bowman, a distinguished educator, specializes in teaching students with Autism. A NYC Teaching Fellow and English Prof. at the College Of Staten Island, she's dedicated 20+ years to empowering people with disabilities through computer science education. Now retired, Darlene serves as President of the Computer Science Teacher Association, Staten Island Chapter, and continues her work through AusomeTech & CUNY Creative Exchange Program, enriching the lives of students and educators alike.
I build software that helps other engineers safely make changes to the giant computer systems that power websites and apps. It is behind-the-scenes computer work making sure changes happen at the right time, in the right order, without breaking anything for users.
About
I grew up in New Jersey, and software engineering was nowhere on my radar for a long time. Before this career I was a garbage collector, worked fast food, served in the military, and eventually landed at Best Buy, which turned out to be my introduction to the tech world. A friend from Best Buy referred me a nonprofit program that trains military veterans and under-served candidates. The program taught me HTML, Java and SQL and placed me at Prudential, which was my first real software job. From there I kept learning, and now I'm a Senior Software Engineer at Amazon working on systems that keep Amazon.com running safely. Outside of work I enjoy running, smoking chicken on my pellet smoker, and mowing the lawn (yes, really). I love that engineering lets you build things thousands of people rely on every day without ever knowing your name.
A gif that represents what I love the most about my job
A gif that represents my career path so far
The best piece of career advice I've ever received
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time
Niamh Claffey
ADP — Senior Product Designer
About
Niamh Claffey is a Senior Product Designer based in NYC with 10 years of experience creating intuitive, user-centered digital products. At ADP, she leads design for complex B2B tools, focusing on usability, accessibility, and scalable systems. She’s passionate about simplifying complexity, mentoring designers, and collaborating cross-functionally. Originally from Ireland, Niamh brings a global perspective and a thoughtful, strategic approach to every project.
Keri is a former Emoti-Con 2013 participant, an experience that fostered her love for creativity in tech. She went on to receive a degree in Information Science from Cornell, with concentrations in Digital Culture & Production and UX. She has spent the past several years applying human centered design principles to various areas of marketing & advertising. She is currently a Senior Insights Analyst at a deep learning advertising platform, assessing the performance of AI in programmatic media.
I'm Steffi Gogoi, a Senior UX Designer at ADP working with the Data solutions team. With a master’s in Human-Computer Interaction from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, my childhood love for art led me to blend design with technology, all while retaining my technical background.
Con Edison — Scrum Master / Change Management Lead
About
I am a computer science engineer with a passion for empowering teams and resolving conflicts. With extensive experience in leadership, particularly in remote multicultural teams, I enjoy fostering collaboration and driving positive outcomes. With expertise that extends to data, metrics, analytics, also known for adding a touch of fun to remote meetings with my expertly curated backgrounds. Whether it’s agile methodologies or cross-functional environments I am dedicated to promoting useful results to end users.
The best piece of career advice I've ever received
Don't be afraid of making mistakes.
Janet Kim Howlader
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Hrishikesh Jadhav
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Elisa Jara
Steinway & Sons — Project Manager
About
I have a background in Ind Design, Design Mgnt & Org. Change Mgnt This mix gave me skills to be a strong creative project manager & design strategist, balancing the managerial and creative aspects in various projects. Started working in the textile industry for home goods, but have now switched to furniture and music manufacturing and working at Steinway & Sons. My role is to manage several special piano projects from design, engineering, and manufacture, and assist in the marketing details.
Aurelia Kare
Freelance — UX Designer
About
Aurelia is a NYC-based UX designer, ex-Capital One, currently freelancing. After pivoting from a long career in graphic design, she currently uses her experience to work in the space where technology and humans meet. Aurelia is an enthusiastic champion for: the thrill of collaboration, the challenge of aligning stakeholder & user goals, data-driven problem solving and most importantly, leveraging design for social and environmental change.
Ashley Kim
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Jennifer Klopp
Gotham Gives — Executive Director
What I do all day at work?
As the executive director (and sole employee) of Gotham Gives, I spend my day managing the grants that we give to organizations in New York City. I also manage our finances and communications. I love learning about all the good work that organizations and institutions are doing to make our city stronger and more equitable.
About
I have spent my career working for non-profits that support the well-being and education of children and provide opportunities for vulnerable, overlooked, and under-resourced communities. Before Gotham Gives, I worked at international development and humanitarian organizations. I believe that lasting change is most often achieved by innovating with partners and by listening to, collaborating with, and empowering beneficiaries.
The best piece of career advice I've ever received
Do something that makes you happy.
Nathalie Lafaurie (Churchill)
Dell — Product Operations Principal Engineer
What I do all day at work?
I launch new Hardware products globally for Dell. I lead an extended team located all around the world from product concept to launch
About
Product Operations Principal Engineer Global Operations Engineering in DELL, Massachusetts, USA.
When Dell Technologies launches new game-changing products into the global market, Product Operations Engineering has a vital role to play. I lead an extended team for all the operational activities that enable products to be introduced and sustained successfully.
