mb Pierce
mb Pierce has never been able to do things the easy way. They’re in their 4th year managing engineering teams at Red Hat where they lean heavily on their professional experiences as a wilderness therapist, full-stack developer, high school/college instructor, quality engineer, logistics manager, small business owner and general troubleshooter/maker.
They believe in building teams on a foundation of psychological safety and trust, striving for a balance of complimentary strengths and struggles across members, where failure is always an acceptable risk as long as you learn from the experience, and where curiosity, empathy and creativity are among the quick-grab tools when faced with challenges.
Associate Engineering Manager
Company or affiliation –Red Hat
Session
This presentation will explore some of the systemic but often hidden barriers faced by folks who don’t fit traditional engineer/developer stereotypes that exist within the tech industry, open source or otherwise. Topics will include the ways in which these inequities manifest, the impact they have on individuals seeking employment, and practical strategies for navigating these challenges.
My goal is to empower attendees to recognize the value of their strengths and experience, and provide them with actionable insights and tools to recognize and dismantle barriers, and ultimately find fulfilling career paths in an industry that may feel out of reach. I will also share real-life examples and stories to illustrate these points and encourage open dialogue.