Compa Inclusion & Diversity

Describe your experience as a woman in engineering. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced, and how have you overcome them?

I've been really fortunate to work on an engineering team at Compa that has strong female representation. Throughout my career so far, I haven’t experienced blatant discrimination, which I’m incredibly grateful for. That said, I’ve noticed it’s often harder to form personal connections when you’re different from people around you. It’s human nature to gravitate toward those who are like you. In a field that’s mostly made up of men, that can mean women start out a step behind when it comes to building relationships. And those relationships really matter when it comes to growing your career.

What’s helped me is leading with curiosity. I try to approach everyone I meet with a genuine interest in who they are. I love learning about people’s lives and experiences, especially when they’re different from mine. Instead of focusing on what we have in common, I lean into our differences and ask questions to understand their world better. Walking into a big meeting where I’m the only woman can definitely feel intimidating. But I’ve learned to see that as a strength. Being different means I can bring a fresh perspective to the conversation, and that’s often where the best ideas come from!

What are your professional goals, and how has Compa enabled you to pursue them? What career growth resources/opportunities are available?

I always said that I wanted to be the chief technology officer of my own startup one day. To get there, I knew I needed real-world experience at a startup first, which is what brought me to Compa. I joined as a software engineer nearly straight out of college with a lot to learn.

Since then, my manager, Joe Malandruccolo, Compa’s co-founder and CTO, has been incredibly intentional about helping me grow toward that goal. He’s consistently given me opportunities to build the skills a future CTO would need, even when those challenges felt a bit over my head. About a year in, I got to tech-lead a major project: Compa’s first data product, Offers. From there, I got involved in hiring and built out most of the engineering team. More recently, I’ve moved into management, gaining experience with leadership and people development.

What’s helped me grow the most is being constantly challenged. I’ve learned that the best way to keep growing is to step outside of your comfort zone every single day. At Compa, I get the space and support to do exactly that. A good manager can help you grow at speeds you’d never dream of.

What advice do you have for women in engineering or other technical roles regarding how to identify a company and team that will support their growth and development?

Ask lots of questions during the interview process. It’s your best chance to figure out if a team is the right fit. Don’t hold back; you’re interviewing them just as much as they’re interviewing you.

I’m a little biased toward startups because that’s where I’ve built my experience, but I really believe that they’re the best environment for fast career growth. One year at a startup can feel like five at a larger company. Things move quickly, and you learn a ton. That said, you still need to find the right team.

A good starting point is to look at representation. If women make up a solid percentage of the engineering team or hold leadership roles, even around 25 percent, it’s a good sign that the company supports equal access to growth. Also, look for companies that support non-linear growth. If you ask about career development, and they give rigid timelines like, “You have to spend three years at the junior level before moving up,” that might not be the best environment. People grow at different speeds. The best teams recognize that and reward your progress, even if it happens faster than expected.