At Fullscript, engineering is more than building scalable systems and writing great code – it’s…

At Fullscript, engineering is more than building scalable systems and writing great code – it’s about showing up with grit, leading with authenticity, contributing to a strong community, and taking meaningful ownership of outcomes.

On International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), we’re celebrating the women who innovate, lead, and mentor across our teams – and the many ways they help shape a better, more inclusive future in tech. We invited our team to share stories of what they’ve learned from working with women in engineering. What came through weren’t just moments of appreciation – they were reflections on initiative, empathy, technical mastery, and leadership that challenge and expand our understanding of what engineering excellence truly looks like.

This post is a tribute to the women who don’t just move the work forward – they move us all forward. And in doing so, they model the very values we strive to uphold as an engineering organization. We’re proud to learn from them. We’re better because of them.

💡 Initiative: Leading Without Being Asked

It was a Friday in December, and our team was wrapping up a major milestone – the new Megamenu was complete, a celebratory testing party was scheduled, and the team was feeling the end-of-year momentum. But the next big feature, the Explore Page, hadn’t even begun.

That’s when a Slack message arrived from Kylie, just before she signed off for her holiday break:

“I did the preliminary work for the Explore Page, to help out for when I’m away next week. Hopefully from here it won’t be too much work.”

Opening her MR revealed 26 files changed. She had scoped, architected, and laid the groundwork for a major new feature, ensuring the team could continue without delay. It wasn’t about credit. It was about care for the work and for the people behind it.

Alex also exemplifies this kind of Initiative. During a recent open-ended project in an unfamiliar space to the team , she didn’t wait for clarity – she created it. With a sharp eye for detail and a deep commitment to engineering excellence, she proactively engaged infrastructure stakeholders, led key conversations, and organized follow-ups that brought structure and direction to the entire team. She didn’t just keep things on track – she elevated the work and everyone involved.

💞 Empathy: Creating Space for Others to Grow

When teammates describe Mayuri, one theme echoes again and again: presence. Whether mentoring new hires, collaborating across teams, or solving complex bugs, Mayuri brings calm, intention, and deep listening to every interaction.

“She doesn’t just jump in with advice – she listens, asks thoughtful follow-ups, and makes sure she understands what you’re really asking.”

Empathy like that isn’t just kind – it’s strategic. It builds psychological safety, accelerates learning, and fosters trust across teams.

🧠 Technical Mastery: Owning Complexity and Enabling Others

Some engineers lift others, not just with their code, but by making the hardest work more accessible. Shelley is one of them. Her deep expertise in warehouse logistics – specifically HighJump/WMS – has enabled countless teammates to contribute confidently in a high-stakes, high-complexity space.

Others, like Amanda, are known as go-to sources for data structure questions, patiently bridging gaps and empowering others with context. Nicole, praised for her fearless ability to jump into unfamiliar territory, consistently delivers with impact and optimism. Chantal understands the complexity of her domain, her cross-functional thinking and dependability – she is someone who sees the big picture, fills the gaps, and ensures no detail is missed.

And then there’s Catherine, a senior developer whose attention to both present challenges and future possibilities sets the tone for engineering excellence. She leads the development of complex, high-impact features while also setting a gold standard for documentation and process. Her ability to balance innovation with thoughtful execution has made our Design System, Aviary, stronger and more sustainable, and her presence as a role model for other women in tech continues to ripple across the organization.

These engineers don’t just understand the systems – they raise the bar for how we all engage with them.

🧭 Leadership: Guiding Through Complexity, Building Community

Leadership showed up in countless forms – mentorship, clarity, advocacy, and strategic thinking.

Steph leads with intention – and perhaps more importantly, with care. She’s one of the most visible people at Fullscript, not because she seeks the spotlight, but because of the way she shows up: grounded, self-aware, and committed to growth. Steph’s leadership reminds us that being real is a strength – and that visibility, when paired with authenticity, creates space for others to lead too.

And then there’s Mariko. Her leadership goes far beyond code. At RubyKaigi, she created meaningful moments of connection, introducing teammates to people in the global Ruby community and making intimidating spaces feel open and welcoming. She also edited and published “Overseas and On the Record,” a book compiling first-hand experiences from women in tech across North America to help others – especially women from Japan – consider what it’s like to pursue a tech career abroad. Her work is thoughtful, generous, and transformative.

As I was gathering these stories, I was surprised – honestly, a little caught off guard – to find myself among them.

I am a woman. I’m in engineering. I’m in a leadership role. It makes sense that someone might share a story about me… and still, I had to pause to absorb what I read.

Teammate Addendum

We had to add this in, as the great author of this post, Des, is far too humble to put it in herself. Des is an extraordinary leader whose influence resonates across every corner of our engineering organization. As a Director, she oversees an incredible number of teams, each benefiting daily from her clear vision, deep care, and unwavering dedication. Her ability to lead with both strategic clarity and human empathy makes her an anchor for the teams she supports!

What truly sets Des apart is her passion for championing women in engineering and making this post a reality. She not only advocates fiercely for equity and representation but also creates tangible opportunities for growth, mentorship, and visibility. Her leadership is not just impactful – it’s transformative, as Des stands as a powerful role model, showing what’s possible when brilliance is paired with heart. For many of us, especially the women across our teams, her guidance is a source of motivation and passion every day!

Now back over to Des…

“I didn’t realize my impact had such a ripple effect.”

These stories reminded me that the way we show up – through our actions, presence, and intention – can leave a lasting mark, even when we don’t immediately see the ripple effects. They reminded me that our work is not only in the systems we build, but in the relationships we tend, the voices we lift, and the space we make for others. These stories showcase that engineering excellence isn’t a narrow lane – it’s expansive.

It’s technical clarity paired with human insight. It’s leading by example, building trust, and bringing people along.

To all the women who help shape engineering at Fullscript: Thank you 🙏

You don’t just move the work forward – you build the foundation that lets others rise with you.

Your impact isn’t quiet. It’s lasting, visible, and deeply felt. 💚