Thank You CTD Volunteers - Code the Dream

We rely on your support. From classes to practicum projects, to job readiness skills, to our social enterprise apprenticeship, Code the Dream’s many dedicated volunteers make our innovative program possible. In 2020, dozens of volunteers gave more than 1100 hours of time supporting our students and interns. Thank you so much to all our volunteers! We couldn’t do it without you, and we are so grateful!

Want to join their ranks? Check out our volunteer opportunities and sign up!

Volunteer Hall of Fame

Elliot Thompson (They/He)

Full Stack Dev

Elliot Thompson (They/He)

Full Stack Dev

Multi-disciplined software engineer with experience in UI, UX, and full-stack development. Continuous process improver. Passionate teacher and mentor. Empathetic leader. Focused on crafting a web for everyone.

Jared Siirila

Full Stack Dev

Jared Siirila

Full Stack Dev

Jared is our longest-serving volunteer instructor and a proud Wyoming native. He has lived in the Triangle for over 10 years, working as a front-end developer for tech giants IBM and Lenovo. Currently, Jared works for EBSCO in the NoveList division, developing software for public libraries. Jared is a talented problem solver with a passion for teaching programming in often humorous ways (just ask his students). We at Code the Dream are lucky to have him on our team.

John McGarvey

Back End Dev

John McGarvey

Back End Dev

John spent 33 years as a lead systems software developer and security architect at IBM. Having retired from that position, he is glad to have the opportunity to assist others in learning to code and in practicing the development process, focusing on Ruby and Rails. These technologies were new to him when he joined Code the Dream. He now passes on his old and new skills to those he mentors.

Chris Liu-Beers

Front End / Wordpress Dev

Chris Liu-Beers

Front End / Wordpress Dev

Chris started building websites in 2009 while working in a faith-based nonprofit that advocated for immigrant rights, and he helped create Uniting NC. In 2014, he launched a full-time WordPress design and development shop. Believing in the power of community organizations his company (Tomatillo Design) continues to work almost exclusively with nonprofits. Chris has lived in Durham with his family for more than 15 years.

Class Mentors

Gaetan Siry (He/Him)

Full Stack Dev

Gaetan Siry (He/Him)

Full Stack Dev

I have been in the Software Engineering industry for a long time, but to date, the time in my career that has been the most meaningful is the time that I spent at Code The Dream, mentoring a group of talented and hard working students. Thank you for this opportunity Lori and CTD Team.

Ryan Sheppard (He/Him)

Full Stack Dev

Ryan Sheppard (He/Him)

Full Stack Dev

Sarah Lillian (She/Her)

Back End Dev

Sarah Lillian (She/Her)

Back End Dev

Sarah is a data scientist with a background in ecology and an awesome dog named Sonny.

Cesar Mota

Front End Dev

Cesar Mota

Front End Dev

Daca dreamer turnt software engineer looking to give back to my community.

Jamie Hand (She/Her)

Full Stack Dev

Jamie Hand (She/Her)

Full Stack Dev

I'm a full-stack software engineer at Google, excited for the opportunity to share knowledge and learn from Code the Dream students!

Peter Sherk (He/Him)

Front End Dev

Peter Sherk (He/Him)

Front End Dev

Software Engineer at Bandwidth. Love open-source software and the coding community. Singer for the Concert Singers of Cary

Angelique Nehmzow

Front End Dev

Angelique Nehmzow

Front End Dev

Mary Matthews (She/Her)

Full Stack Dev

Mary Matthews (She/Her)

Full Stack Dev

I started my software engineering career at a nonprofit coding bootcamp, Operation Spark in New Orleans, and am now a senior software engineer at Formation in San Francisco. I love working with Code the Dream and love helping the amazingly talented and passionate students launch their careers.

Stephen Brown-Bourne (He/Him)

Front End Dev

Stephen Brown-Bourne (He/Him)

Front End Dev

Linda Vu (She/Her)

Full Stack Dev

Linda Vu (She/Her)

Full Stack Dev

Krithika Subramaniam

Back End Dev

Krithika Subramaniam

Back End Dev

Marcus Mitchell

Back End Dev

Marcus Mitchell

Back End Dev

I went through Code The Dream's Ruby courses in 2018 and was an intern in 2019. I began working my current job in 2020. I currently use mostly SQL and am learning some JavaScript here and there.

Turner Davis

Back End Dev

Turner Davis

Back End Dev

Singer, Programmer, Fitness Enthusiast. You can catch me on the first rocket to mars

Julia Zolotarev

Full Stack Dev

Julia Zolotarev

Full Stack Dev

I'm a full-stack software developer and really excited to give back to the software engineering community by mentoring students!

Warren Niu

Full Stack Dev

Warren Niu

Full Stack Dev

Warren is a full-stack web developer with a background in healthcare management & partnerships. Based in Brooklyn, NY with his feisty Pomeranian, Nami.

Jallen Messersmith

Back End Dev

Jallen Messersmith

Back End Dev

Demetrio A Lima

Back End Dev

Demetrio A Lima

Back End Dev

I'm a former Pastry Cook turned Software Engineer. Currently freelance and developing personal projects.

David Barriga-Gomez

Back End Dev

David Barriga-Gomez

Back End Dev

Hello my name is David and I live in Denver Colorado. I enjoy the outdoors and the thrill of an adventure. Aside from that I am best known for my dog Foxy!

Rob Jacobson

Full Stack Dev

Rob Jacobson

Full Stack Dev

A "hobbyist coder" since the second grade. Recently followed my passions, quit my day job as a lawyer, and completed a Master's degree in Computer Science. Looking forward to helping others pursue and fulfill their dreams.

Peter Sherk

Full Stack Dev

Peter Sherk

Full Stack Dev

I'm a Software Engineer for Bandwidth in Raleigh, NC. I'm an avid foodie and love cooking and exploring new restaurants. In my free time, I spend time with my girlfriend Meg, dog Moose and cat Ziti. I love to hike, ride my motorcycle, drink (lots) of coffee and code.

Ramandeep Kaur

Front End Dev

Ramandeep Kaur

Front End Dev

A strategic, motivated individual who wants to learn and share the knowledge by building products, providing guidance and learning from the team members.

João Pedro Pianta

Full Stack Dev

João Pedro Pianta

Full Stack Dev

I simply love computer science, since I was little. I believe it has the power to change people and make the world a little better

Daniel Nakolah

Front End Dev

Daniel Nakolah

Front End Dev

I am a Software Engineer with a knack for problem-solving. I love writing code that impacts people's lives in a positive fashion. Also, I love spaghetti but not the code type.