About Me
The story behind the code
I'm not just a developer—I'm a storyteller who uses technology as my medium. Every line of code I write is an opportunity to solve a problem, connect people, or make someone's day a little bit easier.
My Journey
The Story So Far
Life is not a straight line. Here are the pivotal moments that shaped who I am today.
The Spark
Growing up in a small town with one library, I learned to make my own adventures. My first computer was a hand-me-down that barely ran, but it was enough to ignite a passion that would define my life. I spent countless hours teaching myself to code, building simple websites and dreaming of bigger things.
The Dark Night of the Soul
I was 25, successful on paper—good job, steady paycheck, impressive title. But something was missing. I found myself crying in my car every morning before walking into the office. The work felt meaningless. I was building products that made money but didn't make a difference. Something had to change.
The Moment Everything Changed
Then my mentor said something that shattered my perspective: "Your fear of being seen is the only thing holding you back." I realized I had been playing it safe, hiding behind corporate jobs instead of pursuing what I truly believed in. That night, I started planning what would become TechForGood Foundation.
Learning to Fail Forward
The next three years were the hardest of my life. My first startup failed. I burned through my savings. I questioned everything. But each failure taught me something invaluable. I learned that resilience isn't about never falling—it's about getting up one more time than you fall down.
Building with Purpose
Now I wake up excited every day. I'm building technology that empowers communities, mentoring the next generation of developers, and proving that you can succeed by doing good. The journey isn't over—it's just beginning. And I want to bring as many people along as I can.
What I Stand For
Core Values & Beliefs
These are the non-negotiable principles that guide my work and life. They shape every decision I make and every relationship I build.
Kindness Over Being Right
In every interaction, I choose to lead with empathy. Being kind doesn't mean being a pushover—it means treating people with dignity even when we disagree.
Curiosity Over Judgment
When I encounter something I don't understand, my first instinct is to ask 'why?' rather than dismiss it. Every perspective has something to teach us.
Community Over Competition
A rising tide lifts all boats. I believe in open source, knowledge sharing, and building ecosystems where everyone can thrive—not just the few.
Action Over Perfection
Done is better than perfect. I'd rather ship something good and iterate than wait forever for something perfect that never arrives.
Radical Honesty
I operate with transparency and authenticity. That means admitting when I'm wrong, sharing my failures, and never pretending to know more than I do.
Impact Over Income
Money is a tool, not a goal. I optimize for meaning and positive change, trusting that sustainable success follows genuine value creation.
People Who Shaped My Thinking
- Brené Brown — for teaching me that vulnerability is strength
- My grandfather — who showed me the dignity of hard work
- Paul Graham — for his clarity of thought on startups and life
- A surfboard shaper named Rick — who taught me patience and craft
- Open source community — for proving that collaboration beats competition
Beyond the Code
The Human Behind the Screen
Because there's more to life than just work. Here's what makes me, well, me.
That's Luna, my 5-year-old rescue. She's my co-pilot for every late-night coding session.
Quick Facts
Things That Make Me Weird
- *I can name every Pixar movie in order of release
- *I have a collection of 50+ houseplants (yes, they all have names)
- *My guilty pleasure is reality TV home renovation shows
- *I've been to 23 countries and counting
- *I still use a mechanical keyboard from 2015 because it 'just feels right'
- *I write all my first drafts in markdown, even grocery lists
Travel Highlight
Six months backpacking through Southeast Asia taught me more about minimalism and resilience than any book ever could. I learned to live out of a 30L backpack, navigate without internet, and find connection across language barriers.
What Others Say
Kind Words from Colleagues
"Working with them was transformative for our organization. They didn't just build software—they understood our mission and built something that truly serves our community."
Sarah Chen
Executive Director, Community First
"One of the most thoughtful developers I've ever collaborated with. They bring both technical excellence and genuine empathy to every project."
Marcus Johnson
CTO, TechStart Inc
"The mentorship I received was life-changing. They didn't just teach me to code—they taught me to think like a problem solver and believe in my potential."
Emily Rodriguez
Former Mentee, Now Software Engineer at Google
Let's Build Something Amazing Together
Whether you have a project in mind, want to collaborate, or just want to say hello— I'd love to hear from you. Let's create something that makes a difference.
Currently available for freelance projects and full-time opportunities.