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Lesley Cordero

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Professional Background

Lesley Cordero is an esteemed Staff Engineer and Tech Lead currently making impactful contributions at The New York Times. With a specialization in observability and reliability, Lesley's role focuses on enhancing the integrity and performance of systems that inform millions of readers. Drawing from a wealth of experience in the edtech domain, Lesley has built a remarkable career dedicated to innovative engineering solutions and team leadership.

Throughout her illustrious career, Lesley has been integral to numerous edtech teams, working with well-known organizations such as Google for Education, where she has honed her technical acumen and leadership skills. Her prior experience includes critical roles that emphasize her expertise in building robust data pipelines, establishing technical strategies, and fostering excellent engineering teams and communities. Lesley's commitment to reliability management is evident through her comprehensive understanding of organizational dynamics and her initiative in setting an organization-wide vision for observability.

Lesley is known for her proactive approach to improving on-call processes and her adoption of chaos engineering practices, which enhance system resilience. She is passionate about building a culture that prioritizes the most vulnerable employees first, allowing her to cultivate environments where everyone can thrive. This focus on inclusivity and accountability is complemented by her friendly demeanor, as she often lightens the mood by treating her colleagues to bubble tea, showcasing her genuine care for her team members.

Lesley's anticipation for upcomingities includes speaking engagements at prominent conferences such as Platform Con 2024, StaffPlus 2024, DevOps Con NY 2024, and DevOps Con Singapore 2024, where she will share her insights on leadership, team building, organizational change, and technical strategies concerning observability and reliability.

Education and Achievements

Lesley Cordero is a proud graduate of Columbia University, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science. Her strong educational foundation laid the groundwork for her successful career in technology and engineering, particularly within the education technology sector.

In addition to her educational achievements, Lesley has cultivated a reputation for excellence during her extensive tenure in various roles across multiple organizations. Before her current position at The New York Times, she made significant strides as a Staff Software Engineer and Tech Lead at Teachers Pay Teachers, where her contributions spanned initiatives that enhanced product quality and improved user experiences.

Earlier in her career, Lesley further sharpened her expertise as a Developer Integrations Lead within Google’s G Suite for Education and Google Classroom. In these roles, she played a pivotal part in developing solutions that facilitate educational experiences for a wide array of users, leveraging technology to bridge gaps and drive engagement.

Moreover, Lesley started her career in data roles, including positions such as Data Engineer at Byte Academy and a pivotal role at Columbia University’s Data Science Institute, where she contributed to research in the Economics and Political Science departments. This early experience as a Data Analyst Intern at QuestBridge also marked the beginnings of her journey into technology and data-oriented solutions.

As a speaker and writer, Lesley is well-respected in her field, continually sharing her knowledge and insights on topics such as leadership, building cohesive teams, and driving organizational change—especially as these principles relate to site reliability engineering and observability.

Achievements

Lesley has a history of notable achievements within the tech industry, evidenced by her rapid progression in roles of escalating responsibility at various prestigious organizations. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated remarkable capabilities in:

  • Building and Scaling Engineering Teams: Understanding the importance of strong team dynamics, Lesley has been unyielding in her commitment to establishing and nurturing engineering teams that not only deliver high-quality work but also emphasize collaboration and community.
  • Technical Leadership: As a consummate professional, Lesley has shaped technical strategies that align with organizational goals, ensuring that team projects not only meet but often exceed expectations. Her strategic insight has been invaluable in her roles at The New York Times and Google.
  • Cultivating Culture and Inclusivity: Lesley approaches her leadership with a unique perspective that considers the needs of all employees, particularly those who might normally be overlooked. This attention to inclusivity fosters a more innovative and harmonious workplace.

In summary, Lesley Cordero's contribution to technology, particularly in building observability and reliability into systems, underscores her dedication to both her profession and her peers. With a robust background in edtech and a wealth of practical experience, Lesley embodies the qualities of a technical leader and community builder, making her a valuable voice in the industry. Her upcoming speaking engagements promise to enrich the tech community significantly, as she continues to inspire others through her knowledge, experience, and generous spirit.

Related Questions

How did Lesley Cordero develop her expertise in building reliable systems at The New York Times?
What specific strategies does Lesley Cordero implement to foster strong engineering teams and communities?
How has Lesley Cordero's educational background at Columbia University influenced her career in technology?
What are some examples of successful projects Lesley Cordero led at Google for Education?
How does Lesley Cordero approach cultivating a culture of inclusivity within technical teams?
What insights does Lesley Cordero share during her talks at various tech conferences?
In what ways does Lesley Cordero integrate chaos engineering practices into her work?
What motivated Lesley Cordero to transition from edtech roles to her position at The New York Times?
How does Lesley Cordero measure success in her projects, particularly regarding reliability management?
What are the key themes Lesley Cordero focuses on when speaking about leadership and team development?
Lesley Cordero
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Location

New York, New York