Culture, Code, and Breaking Barriers in Tech  

By Maki Hevia

Maki Hevia, Senior Software Developer, shares how curiosity, collaboration, and inclusion have shaped her journey so far at StellarAlgo from growing her technical skills to finding her voice as a leader in a traditionally male-dominated field.

What brought you to StellarAlgo, and what made you feel like this was the right place to grow as a developer and leader?

When I joined StellarAlgo more than four years ago, I was looking for something different. I had been working at a small tech shop where things felt stagnant- the technology, the processes, and even the opportunities for growth. I wanted to be somewhere that valued learning and innovation, where I could keep developing my skills and contribute to something that was evolving.

I wasn’t sure at first if a startup environment would be the right fit, but StellarAlgo was already in a growth phase, and that balance between stability and forward momentum really appealed to me. A friend who knew the company encouraged me to take a closer look, and from my first conversations, I could tell it was a place where curiosity, collaboration, and progress mattered.

Growing with Change

I started at StellarAlgo as an Intermediate Developer, and those first couple of years were filled with learning. I was challenged every day to stretch my technical skills, think differently, and adapt to change. After some time, I was promoted to Senior Developer, and not long after that, we started bringing on junior developers. That’s when I got the opportunity to mentor others for the first time.

Stepping into that mentorship role was exciting and a little intimidating at first, but it quickly became one of the most rewarding parts of my job. Helping others grow made me a better developer and taught me so much about leadership, communication, and trust.  Our engineering team is still small enough that we can openly discuss everything from ideas to challenges to how we approach new projects. Nothing is dictated from the top down. Everyone’s perspective matters, and that collective problem-solving is one of the things I value most about how we work together. 

Finding My Place as a Woman in Tech

When I joined StellarAlgo, I didn’t realize I would be the first woman on the Software Dev team. I’ll admit that once I found out, it made me a bit nervous. It’s easy to wonder how you’ll fit in or if your voice will be heard. From day one, my teammates made me feel completely respected and included. I’ve never felt any different because I’m a woman, and that speaks volumes about our culture.

One of the moments that really stood out for me was when I was asked to step into a lead role as Senior Software Developer. I hadn’t been aiming for it or advocating for a change, but the promotion came naturally through the work I was already doing. That recognition gave me a huge boost of confidence. It showed me that my contributions were seen and valued, and that leadership at StellarAlgo is recognized through action and impact, not just titles.

 What would you tell other women aspiring to grow into senior technical roles, especially in companies scaling quickly like StellarAlgo? 

If I could give advice to other women who want to grow in senior tech roles, I’d say this: don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back. Everyone has doubts, even the people you look up to. The key is to stay curious and open-minded. You don’t need to know everything; you just need to keep learning, asking questions, and being willing to challenge how things are done.

That mindset of curiosity is something I see reflected across our engineering team. We’re constantly re-evaluating our tech stack, exploring new tools, and thinking about how we can better serve our customers. It’s never about doing things the same way because that’s how they’ve always been done, it’s about finding the best way forward, together. 

What are you most excited about when you think about the future of our platform and the problems we’re solving? 

Right now, we’re in the middle of some exciting changes that will shape the future of our platform. We’re modernizing our technology, tackling complex problems, and building solutions that will make a real impact for our customers. The energy across the team is incredible. Everyone is motivated, collaborative, and genuinely invested in what we’re building.

After four and a half years, I still feel the same excitement I did when I first joined. StellarAlgo has given me space to grow, learn, and lead in ways I didn’t expect. It’s a place where curiosity is celebrated, where inclusion is real, and where every person has the opportunity to shape what comes next. If you’re someone who loves learning, solving challenges, and being part of a team that truly values collaboration and growth, StellarAlgo is a great place to be!

Learn more about working at StellarAlgo on the careers page.  

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