We exist to provide

Carly Jackson

Lead Engineering Instructor

Hi everyone! I’m Carly and I’m the Lead Engineering Instructor for the Future Code x Codesmith program. My road to finding Codesmith was pretty fun! I was living in Chicago during COVID and then decided to move abroad and start looking into more remote career options. I moved to Barbados, worked remotely, and lived there for 11 months. While I was there, I started the Codesmith prep programs and applied to the immersive program. I actually took the Codesmith immersive interviews from Thailand! Eventually I moved to Harlem, NYC to be with my partner and have lived here for the past few years. I have really enjoyed growing as an engineer throughout my time at Codesmith and I love the residents and team that I work with.

Chandler Charity

Engineering Mentor

Chandler Charity is an engineering mentor with the Future Code program at Codesmith. Prior to their pivot into software engineering, Chandler spent just under a decade in nonprofit management. Most notably, they developed a mentorship program for undergraduate students from marginalized communities pursuing STEM studies, which they credit for inspiring their own career shift. Now at Codesmith, Chandler aims to combine technical skills with a commitment to social impact within the tech community. Outside of Codesmith, Chandler has a passion for fiber arts, reading, and being in nature, specifically a lush forest or beautiful beach.

Jaime de Venecia

Engineering Mentor

After years of being a professional musician, I pivoted into software engineering to feed my desire to learn how to build applications myself and contribute to problem-solving tech. I love exercising the left side of my brain as a complement to my creative endeavors!At Codesmith, I am an engineering instructor. I’m extremely passionate about teaching, and love sharing my enthusiasm for TypeScript, JavaScript, and related technologies with our incredible, curious residents.Outside of coding and making music, I am an avid traveler, food & beverage enjoyer, skateboarder, and rock climber. I can also solve a Rubik’s Cube in about 30 seconds.

James Laff

Sr. Curriculum Manager

James is lead engineer and senior curriculum manager at Codesmith, building out cutting-edge content on AI/ML, DevOps, MLOps, SSR, TypeScript, and system architecture. His engineering work focuses on driving development of Codesmith’s internal and public-facing applications, and he's especially passionate about using containers to maintain and scale microservices independently. James is deeply committed to Codesmith’s ethos: setting a positive tone, welcoming new residents, and making people feel less uncomfortable about not knowing the answer (yet!). When he’s not coding, James enjoys spending time with his new baby, home renovations, and road trips across America.

Jared Lewis

Lead Engineering Instructor

Jared is an Instructor and Software Engineer at Codesmith. When he’s not teaching Data Structures or Express.js Servers, he’s working behind the scenes to drive engineering efforts. He finds fulfillment in helping residents develop the skills needed to tackle the complex technical challenges they’ll face in their careers. A fun fact about Jared: his love for meeting new people while traveling abroad once led to an unexpected evening of cheese and prosecco with the Mayor of Siena, Italy, during a weekend trip through Tuscany.

Marselena Sequoia

Engineering Mentor

Marselena is an Engineering Mentor at Codesmith, where she’s able to combine a lifelong commitment to teaching and a deep love for listening to herself talk. As an engineer, she’s passionate about open-source tools for local community and designing software that’s both beautiful and useful. As a teacher, she believes that we can learn more through collaboration than we can through competition. She also loves birdwatching, reading fantasy novels, settling into a good puzzle game, sitting under a big tree, cooking Puerto Rican food, and taking a deep breath - although you can usually just find her on a walk to the library. She lives with her dog Chico in Lenapehoking.

Aissata Nutzel

Engineering Fellow

Before Codesmith, I worked as a structural engineer, designing schools, commercial spaces, and residential buildings. Seeking a career change, I decided to pursue my long-time interest in coding and discovered Codesmith, drawn by its incredible culture and supportive community. Now, I’m an engineering fellow for the Future Code immersive program, an exciting initiative in partnership with NYC to increase diversity in software engineering. Fun fact: I once spent a week at a surf camp in Bali—it was an amazing experience!

Ali McNamara

Engineering Fellow

Before transitioning to Codesmith, I spent several years as a middle school special education teacher, where I thrived on the creativity and problem-solving aspects of my work. However, I was eager to challenge myself further and pursue a career that offered both intellectual growth and a better work-life balance. Codesmith has provided that opportunity, and I’ve loved every moment of it. As an engineering fellow, I’ve been able to refine my technical skills, boost my confidence as an engineer, and support others on their journeys. Outside of coding, I’m passionate about hands-on projects like puzzles, crocheting, and more!

Kim Cuomo

Engineering Fellow

Kim Cuomo is a Lead Fellow for the FTRI campus, bringing a unique blend of creativity, collaboration, and technical expertise to the Codesmith community. With a background in product management and a former career as an actor, Kim was drawn to Codesmith for its ethos of empathetic engineering and the confidence it instills to tackle any challenge. Originally from a small beach town in Massachusetts, Kim is happiest near the ocean, but ultimately calls NYC home. If you want to talk to her in the morning, you'll have to wait until she's completed the NYT “Hard” Sudoku with her coffee.

Eric DiMarzio

Engineering Fellow

As an engineering fellow Eric works closely with the Full Immersive program, advising and instructing residents as they navigate the program. Before Codesmith, Eric enjoyed a career as a music teacher before transitioning into software engineering. He enjoys staying active, traveling, and has visited 40 US national parks.

Cam Greer

Prep Program Instructor

Transitioning from a career in accounting and finance, I joined Codesmith to pursue my passion for software engineering. As a Prep Programs Instructor, I guide aspiring engineers through foundational coding concepts, preparing them for the challenges of our immersive program. It's incredibly rewarding to witness students transform their skills and confidence as they embark on their coding journeys.Outside of work, I enjoy going for long runs and skateboarding to clear my mind and stay active.

Cindy Chau

Prep Program Instructor

Hi I’m Cindy and I’m a prep instructor here at Codesmith. I joined the Codesmith team because I wanted to help other people who were in my shoes become software engineers! Fun fact, I was a JSB and CSPrep student when I was trying to get into Codesmith and I love teaching these classes as it’s a full circle moment!

Daryl Foster

Prep Program Instructor

I joined Codesmith to empower others to stretch themselves and pursue their dream careers. As an instructor for JSB and CS Prep, I encourage everyone bring the best of themselves into their reasoning and apply their unique world views through code. I also love to sail the high seas.

Helen Regula

Prep Program Instructor

Hi, I'm Helen! I'm currently a Senior Full Stack Web Developer at BigID and a CSPrep Instructor at Codesmith. Back in 2020, I made a big career switch from being a Musical Theater artist. I didn’t know what my path was until I found Codesmith. I instantly fell in love with the community and support at Codesmith, and now I love helping future developers find their footing. Fun fact: As a kid, I learned multiple Polish folk songs and would travel around performing them with my sister. I still remember them, but I have no idea what I’m saying since I learned them all phonetically! So, I apologize in advance if I end up singing something offensive!

Alexander Infante

Career Support Engineer

I went through Codesmith in early 2020, and we were the last in-person cohort on the West Coast. It was a wonderful learning experience and was incredibly transformative in my capabilities- beyond the technical learning, also in my self confidence and learning how to learn more effectively. I love teaching, anything from helping people through resume writing, behavioral interview prep, system design prep, and learning about Generative AI on AWS with modern IaC tooling. I really enjoy keeping track of helping people, and I’ve spoken with over 150+ Codesmith grads who are now in amazing roles!

Blake Myrick

Career Support Engineer

As a Data Structures and Algorithms Career Support Engineer at Codesmith, I am passionate about empowering individuals to achieve their career goals. My journey to Codesmith was driven by a desire to use my interviewing experience to help others in navigating the technical interview process and landing their dream jobs in tech. In my role, I provide mock interviews, learning strategies, and learning roadmaps to help engineers excel in data structures and algorithms interviews. Fun fact: When I’m not demystifying technical interviews, you can find me boxing, hiking, skiing or going to stand-up comedy shows!

Cara Dibdin

Career Support Engineer

Cara is a staff software engineer at NBC Universal working on Generative AI and emerging platforms. In her spare time she loves gaming, singing, acting and hanging out with her husband and 2 cats.

Jinsung Park

Career Support Engineer

I graduated from Codesmith’s NY9 cohort in 2019 and have since held four software engineering roles, including my current position at Netflix, where I work daily with TypeScript and JavaScript. Coming from a non-technical background, I mastered data structures and algorithms through perseverance and countless lessons during my job searches. The Codesmith alumni network has been instrumental in my journey, and now I’m passionate about giving back to help others achieve their dreams. Fun fact: my cat Nyli has been my loyal sidekick since my Codesmith days, making every milestone even sweeter.

Kyle Bell

Resume Fellow

I’m Kyle. I am originally from Delaware and I currently reside in Brooklyn, NY with my fiancee. I elected to attend Codesmith after spending hours learning to code independently. While on my own, I realized how creative I could be in the software engineering process. From building websites to solving complex backend logic issues, software problem-solving is a unique task, and I love that there is always going to be something new to learn. Outside of Software Engineering, I love music and movies. I was a touring musician for a long time. I still play when I can and still love writing new tunes!

Sam Pyo

Resume Fellow

The search for a better work life balance while still wanting to continue building led me to Codesmith. Currently, I am the Lead Resume Fellow and my job is to help residents craft impactful resumes to help stand out in this job market, which includes workshops, resume reviews and meetings with the team to continuously update and revise resume guidelines and best practices. Fun fact: I built the Harry Potter Store in my “previous” life.

Sohum Dalal

Resume Fellow

Sohum (he/him) is a principle-driven engineer who believes in the power of fundamentals to create innovative products. Currently working in the ed-tech space, Sohum brings his expertise in web development and software engineering to design and deliver engaging learning experiences. Outside of work, his love for craftsmanship and attention to detail continues to show in his hobbies and personal interests. He is passionate about mechanical watches, sourdough bread baking, and enjoys improving on his awful tennis skills. 

Alex McPhail

Alumni Advisor

I owned and operated an organic flower farm for 10 years prior to attending Codesmith. I decided my sore back needed a rest and here I am. Now I build UI's for interacting with autonomous drones -- you know, that classic career path…

Angelo Quail

Technical Interview Fellow

I am a professional software engineer and musician living in Washington, D.C. I first discovered Codesmith in the winter of 2020 and immediately fell in love with its community, from the quality of instruction I received in free workshops to the culture of openness, collaboration, growth, and support. I attended the Engineering Immersive in 2021 and stayed on as an Engineering Fellow. As a Codesmith team member, I hope to continue to help others progress in their engineering journeys. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, running, tennis, music, and my endless quest to brew the perfect cup of espresso.

Cody Schexnider

Alumni Advisor

I pursued software engineering because I enjoy tackling complex problems and building solutions that make an impact. I chose Codesmith because of its reputation for being one of the most challenging programs with the best outcomes. As an alumni advisor, I work with prospective students, sharing insights from my own experience and helping them prepare for the program. A fun fact about me: I built a DIY home automation system using an Arduino, complete with a custom dog treat dispenser for my pup.

Chris Kulaczkowski

Community Ambassador

I'm Chris K., a software engineer specializing in developing scalable web applications and optimizing web performance, and a Community Ambassador at Codesmith. I discovered my passion for coding through the inspiring community at Codesmith, where I host online Study Buddy sessions and mentor aspiring developers, solidifying my love for collaborative learning. My professional journey started with C#, and today I work primarily with Ruby, focusing on creating robust solutions while staying up-to-date with the evolving JavaScript ecosystem. Fun fact: During my first tech interview, I found myself googling 'what is C#' - a memory that still makes me smile and fuels my commitment to continuous growth.

Jehovany Cruz

Prep Program Mentor

My name is Jehovany, or Jeho (gio) for short! I was born and raised in the great state of New York (go Yankees!). I came to Codesmith in 2020 as a student looking for a new career change after being burnt out in marketing for 7 years. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. I completed the trifecta of Javascript for Beginner, CS Prep, and the Full-time Immersive program, then finally became a fellow. I now work full-time as a front-end engineer working remotely. This allowed me to move to Los Angeles where I currently live and enjoy the change of pace. I saw an opportunity to continue helping out Codesmith by working with them as a Prep Program Mentor. I love helping students in the scary first phases of learning to code and encouraging them to pursue their dreams. If I can do it, you can too - hope to see you in JSB and/or CS Prep office hours!

Joan Manto

Code Review Engineer

Joan Manto is a former CPA who transitioned into the tech industry after attending Codesmith. After completing her residency and fellowship at Codesmith, she moved into a Code Review Engineer role, where she provides detailed feedback on residents' assessments and helps them navigate technical challenges. She also works full-time as a software engineer at a SaaS company, where she focuses on building and improving software products. With a blend of analytical and technical skills, Joan thrives on tackling complex problems and supporting others in their growth. Outside of work, Joan has an interesting food quirk—she doesn't eat fruits with the word "berry" in their name!

Kara Chisholm

Alumni Advisor

I pivoted to software engineering because I wanted to be creative and build things in a fast-paced, dynamic field. Before that, I was as an urban planner for local and federal governments. I chose Codesmith to help me make the switch because it provides lifetime career support and a better education than alternative programs. As an alumni advisor, I talk with prospective students about how Codesmith works, what it’s like to switch careers, and my tips for learning software engineering from scratch. Fun fact about me: I love walking tours – I’m at 20 and counting for NYC alone!

Kelvin Van

Code Review Engineer

My name is Kelvin, and I am a code review engineer at Codesmith. I am responsible for reviewing resident code and providing feedback to help them as they go through their journey as a software engineer. I also help out by providing one-on-one sessions with current residents when needed. Since completing my role as a lead fellow, I have returned to Codesmith as I am interested in the computer science education sphere and helping others along their engineering journeys. A fun fact about me is that I enjoy building custom mechanical keyboards for myself and others in my free time.

Matthew Lapeer

Code Review Engineer

The opportunity to share and gain new perspectives on common engineering challenges is what brought me to Codesmith. As someone who likes to tinker and figure out how things work, I love getting to see new engineering approaches. In my role, I provide feedback on code and conduct one-on-one code review sessions to ensure quality and foster technical growth. A fun fact about myself is that I did a 6 month stint as an intern on Capitol Hill.

Myounghan Chae

Prep Program Mentor

Hi, I’m Han, a prep program mentor at Codesmith. I joined Codesmith with a deep passion for helping individuals navigate their coding journey. I believe in providing the kind of guidance and mentorship that empowers students to grow, build confidence, and unlock their full potential. Coding can be complex, but with the right support, it becomes an exciting and rewarding challenge. My goal is to be that trusted mentor for our students—someone they can rely on for thoughtful advice and encouragement as they take the next steps in their careers.

Nestor Caynan

Alumni Advisor

I needed to make moves for my family and CodeSmith helped me do exactly that. When I’m not spending my time with my family or working you can usually find me playing board games. Recent favorites are Dune Imperium Uprising and Age of Innovation. When I turned four, my parents hired a clown for my birthday. During face painting I requested my face to be painted as a lion. Later in the day when I went to the bathroom I looked in the mirror, for really scared and started crying. Still not sure why there was a lion in the bathroom.

Rodrigo Calderon

Code Review Engineer

As a Code Review Engineer at Codesmith, I provide engineering mentorship to residents going through the Engineering Immersive. After brief stints in management consulting at EY-Parthenon and as Chief of Staff to the CEO of Lactolac, I decided to pursue my passion for building products and solving technical challenges. When not mentoring or building products, you can find me meditating.

Samuel Lee

Technical Interview Fellow

Hey there, I’m Sam!I’ve been fortunate to have been a part of the Codesmith community as an Engineering Faculty Lecturer and Code Review Engineer. By day, I'm a full stack software engineer at a startup and a masters student at UPenn, but my true passion lies in helping aspiring developers find their footing in the tech world. There's nothing more rewarding than being a small part of the journey of future engineers

Erica Oh

Technical Interview Fellow

I used to teach English at schools in Japan before I started coding. I loved that I could bring in my teaching expertise to hold workshops and provide mentorship to aspiring software engineers at Codesmith. Some of the most brilliant and dedicated people I have ever met or worked with were part of the Codesmith community, and it’s this amazing community that brought me back to work here. A random fact about me is that even though I’ve done ballet and pilates and also danced for a long time, I still can’t do the splits for the life of me.