Code the Dream is proud to announce three new staff members: Product/Project Manager Shaya Lyon, Senior Public Benefits Analyst Louise Pocock, and Program Assistant Caitlin Gross. By way of introduction, each of them participated in a short Q&A to illustrate who they are and some — but not all! — of the reasons why they are such welcome additions.
Shaya Lyon
Product/Project Manager
Shaya’s diversity of experience is as expansive as her enthusiasm for her work. She has worked nights at a newspaper, founded a non-profit tech company, and moonlights as a portrait photographer. Since writing her first spec at Answers.com in the days before Git, Shaya has been committed to designing technology that supports community building, resource sharing, and creative collaboration.
What were you doing before Code the Dream?
Before joining Code the Dream, I was working as a photographer. After seven years in tech, and another eight years running a nonprofit, I was curious to spend more of my time making art. Photography took me to interesting places! I photographed a neuroscientist in her lab at the University of Washington, a knowledge repatriation project in the storage rooms of the Brooklyn Museum, and the 100th-anniversary performance of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue in the same spot where it was performed for the very first time.
What brought you to Code the Dream?
In my free time, I lead a team of volunteer software developers for an arts nonprofit called the Live Music Project. It’s very similar to Code the Dream Labs, in that most of the developers are in their first or second year after learning to code. Last winter, one of the devs on my team sent me the CTD job description. The window for applications had already closed, but I was so excited about the role that I applied anyway. And here I am!
What are you looking forward to in your role at Code the Dream?
In the short term, I look forward to tomorrow. I never know which new interesting problem I’ll get to work on with the team, which user question will land in my inbox, what super kind thing I’ll hear in a discussion, team meeting, or code review. I know that whatever transpires, it will be met with compassion and creativity, and that’s a beautiful thing to have in my day, every day.
In the long term, I look forward to working on new tools that will amplify the impact of – and lighten the load for – our partner organizations. This summer, I had the opportunity to ride along on a farmworker outreach visit near Seattle. I saw firsthand how CTD’s Vamos Outreach app is integral to outreach work, and also saw that there is more we can do to support outreach teams.
It feels unusual, in tech, to head to your desk each morning with a mandate to make the world a kinder, safer, healthier place for others. I’m excited that this impact is a north star for our work at Code the Dream.
Louise Pocock
Senior Public Benefits Analyst
Louise has devoted her career to ensuring people can access the health care and economic support they need. After earning her undergraduate degree in Urban Studies from Columbia University she returned to her home state and earned her JD from the University of New Mexico’s School of Law. Louise worked in New Mexico, North and South Carolina, and Washington, DC, before joining Code the Dream.
What were you doing before Code the Dream?
Prior to coming to Code the Dream I was working with the state of Virginia’s Office of New Americans to draft and implement a comprehensive statewide strategy supporting the integration of immigrants in the state, including sharing information about immigrant eligibility for publicly funded programs and services with agencies and the public.
What brought you to Code the Dream?
What brought me to Code the Dream was the opportunity to work with an awesome team to help build tech tools that unlock information about, and access to, public benefits.
What are you looking forward to in your role at Code the Dream?
I’m looking forward to continuing to work with all the great people here to support Code the Dream’s mission to diversify tech development and to help ensure that the tools CTD creates serve our most vulnerable communities.
Caitlin Gross
Program Assistant
After studying Environmental Sciences at UNC-Chapel Hill, Caitlin moved to Durham and held various administrative and communications roles at the EPA, Triangle Ultimate, and UNC-Chapel Hill. Throughout the years, she has also worked and taught at science museums in the area, and she also served as an AmeriCorps Up2Us coach where she had the opportunity to coach and mentor kids in low-income communities.
What were you doing before Code the Dream?
Before Code the Dream, I had most recently been working in communications at UNC, which was a really neat role for me because I had not formally worked in communications before — it was something I became interested in through volunteer work and exploring different hobbies. Prior to this, I also spent some time working at different museums in the Triangle area (I used to lead skywatching tours at Morehead Planetarium!), and I coached ultimate frisbee at various middle schools and community programs.
What brought you to Code the Dream?
I came to Code the Dream because I saw the opening for a role that touched on many areas of my background – administration, operations, and communications. My biggest career priority has always been to work with an organization with a mission that aligns with my values, and Code the Dream’s mission absolutely does.
What are you looking forward to in your role at Code the Dream?
I am looking forward to getting to apply my skills and contribute to the meaningful work that Code the Dream is doing. I’m also excited to collaborate more with the CTD team – everyone has been so nice, supportive, and fun to work with!
