We exist to provide

Jaime de Venecia

Lead Engineering Instructor

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 a Lead 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.

Samuel Lee

Engineering Mentor

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

Marselena Sequoia

Lead Engineering Instructor

Marselena is a Lead Engineering Instructor 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.

Sam LaRiviere

Engineering Mentor

Hi everyone! Before Codesmith, I worked as a professional ballet dancer, actor, and tradesperson—careers that all taught me the value of discipline, teamwork, and creative problem-solving. I found my way to software engineering through a love of building things and a curiosity about how technology works under the hood. Being part of the Codesmith team has been incredibly fulfilling—I love helping residents grow in confidence, break through tough concepts, and realize just how much they’re capable of. Outside of coding, I enjoy running, cooking, and a good excuse to take something apart and fix it.

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.

Alex Stewart

Engineering Fellow & Technical Content Creator

Born in Sacramento, I spent a decade in NYC as a professional ballet dancer and stage actor, even performing on Broadway. As the demands of performing took a toll, a conversation with my friend Chloe (a Google Cloud Developer Advocate) sparked a career shift. I discovered Developer Advocacy and began my journey in software development—dragging my best friend, Sam LaRiviere, along with me (which has been the best part). Inspired by four fellow actors- turned-engineers who were ALL Codesmith Alumni, I started with CSX and never looked back. Now, I work at Codesmith as a Technical Content Creator and Engineering Fellow, blending creativity and tech—writing content, interviewing alumni, hosting talent shows, giving lectures, and shaping curriculum. I love the balance of creative freedom and technical depth. Fun fact: I’ve never had a cavity!

Roshumba Llewellyn

Engineering Fellow

A former big-tech marketer and design entrepreneur, I am thrilled to continue growing my creative problem-solving ability and developing empowering tools at Codesmith. I was personally transformed by the immersive program, so I deeply resonate with the rigorous, edifying, and multiplicitous paths it takes residents on, and I am grateful for the opportunity to lend support. Away from the keyboard, I enjoy diving into good books, studying international films, and strolling between the trees, as often as I can find them.

Lucas Contreras

Engineering Fellow

After a few years working in Marketing and Business Intelligence, I pursued my long-standing interest in software engineering. I joined Codesmith as an Engineering Fellow after graduating from their immersive program, where I now contribute to tools that enhance the learning experience for residents. I thrive on solving problems with software solutions, whether improving user experiences or building tools to make processes more efficient. In my role at Codesmith, I collaborate with many teams, mentor residents, and help shape software engineers. Outside of work, I enjoy playing sports and listening to podcasts!

Eric Shankman

Engineering Fellow

Hello All! I have spent the past 20 years in various sales, sales management, and operations management roles, which all had me on the road quite a bit as I could be traveling anywhere from 2 weeks a month to an entire month at a time. When I was looking for a second career I remembered a conversation I had with a family friend about her experience at Codesmith and I started to dig into what opportunities would be available and how this could compliment my previous career. Quickly, I fell in love with the community and the people which is where my journey began. I recently finished the FTRI (Full Time Immersive Program) and have begun a Fellowship with Codesmith. This opportunity is allowing me to give back to students and assist them in every aspect of the program. When not working, I enjoy spending time with friends and family playing board games, card games, etc. and watching new movies or tv shows.

Eric DiMarzio

Faculty Lecturer

As a Faculty Lecturer, Eric is advising and instructing residents as they navigate the program. Before Codesmith, he 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!

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!

Kim Spicer

Prep Program Instructor

Hey there! I'm Kim, a JavaScript for Beginners instructor who proudly graduated from Codesmith's remote immersive program in 2021. I found Codesmith through some top-tier sleuthing (aka word of mouth and Google), and it ended up being one of the best decisions I've ever made. My time there not only made me a better engineer but also set the foundation for the work I do today as an instructor. Fun fact: I'm double-jointed! While it doesn’t exactly help me code faster, it does make for some great party tricks. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone and mentoring budding engineers!

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.

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.

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!

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.

Dina Naphor

Student Support Specialist

Hi everyone! Before joining Codesmith, I worked at the intersection of education, research, and DEI—supporting mission-driven initiatives in both academic and corporate spaces. I’ve been a teacher and a researcher, and I've always been passionate about helping people grow through learning. When I discovered Codesmith, I saw an exciting opportunity to merge my love of education, community-building, and tech. It’s been incredibly rewarding to support learners on their coding journey and to work at a place so committed to empowerment and transformation. Outside of work, I love traveling, jogging, hiking, and playing with my adorable dog: Gita.

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.

Rory James

Content Creator

Rory brings his background as a journalist to Codesmith where he produces video and written content.

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.

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.