Ashley Willis (McNamara) Profile Banner
Ashley Willis (McNamara) Profile
Ashley Willis (McNamara)

@ashleymcnamara

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677
Following
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Senior Director of Developer Relations @GitHub Prev: @Google , @Microsoft , @Pivotal , & @Rackspace 👩‍💻 She/Her

Seattle, WA
Joined March 2008
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
My kid is gaming with friends so I brought him a snack and he says, "Thanks, Love you" then laughter erupts on the headset and he goes, "What? You don't love your mothers? I'm sad for you." so if you need me I'll just be over here sobbing into my worlds best mom ribbon.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
I don't mean to rub it in (okay I do) but he lets me smoosh his cheeks still too and he's 13...
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
6 years
Work/Life balance starts with your leadership teams. I don’t check my email after 5pm because that’s family time and my boss respects that boundary. I love my job, but I don’t live to work. I work to live. Stop praising people for working 18 hour days. 🙏
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Say mean things about my kid and I’m blocking the shit out of you. Y’all are the reason we can’t have nice things. Don’t be bitter, be better...
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
“That’s how social media works” “Ohhh...” 😂😂😂
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
7 years
I didn’t know I needed a letter board until now.
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
FAQ: He was playing For Honor, His snack was a corn dog, the ribbon is metaphorical, and the “I love yous” are common.
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
2 years
The neighborhood Facebook page is out of control today. 😂
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
I’m in a mood and I’ve been sending him loading screen pictures and he hasn’t caught on... clueless muppet 😂😂😂
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
6 years
“You have a lot of women on your team, is it a diversity thing?” Let me be very clear here, we hired the best in the industry and the best are women. The end. Don’t insult us by assuming it’s a diversity thing. It’s a skill thing.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
It would be cool if more senior engineers would admit that they don’t have everything all figured out so the junior folks didn’t have such unrealistic expectations.
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
3 years
One of the best pieces of career advice I ever received is to never turn down an interview, even if you’re happy where you are, take the interview.
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Me: Clean your room. Kid: Later. Kid: Mom! What happened to the internet?!? Me: Later. 😎
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
8 years
My favorite #SXSW photo today. 😂
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
6 years
"Debugging is like being the detective in a crime drama where you are also the murderer."
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
My 22 year old kid, a college student, who’s studying to be an engineer, tweeted that “tech nerds” should learn soft skills and GROWN ASS MEN in her mentions are shouting that “nerd” is derogatory while also referring to her as a “cunt”
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
7 years
I don't know about you guys, but I'm really loving the whole conference sock trend.
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
One time, after a conference talk, some random dude came up to me with a list of criticisms and @alicegoldfuss saw so she walked up and said, “I don’t remember her asking for feedback” and then looked him dead in his eyes until he walked away and I still think about that a lot.
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Being internet famous at 13 is overwhelming 😂
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Me: Hey bud, I have a dinner tonight with co-workers. Kid: Why do adults do that? It’s like having dinner at school. Me: 😳
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
11 months
What dumb shit did I 3D print this week? I'd love to show you.
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
We did it!!! Mr & Mrs Willis 🥰
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Five years ago a well known person in the tech community & author of books you've probably read, spoke to a group of women just learning to code. She told us that none of us would succeed in tech without a CS degree and all I want to say is, 'Thank you for under estimating me'
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Yeah, sex is cool, but have you ever had a last minute meeting cancellation?
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
So this happened!! ❤️❤️❤️
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Hot take: Emotional intelligence is as important, if not more important than dev skills.
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Twitter fame isn’t real, we’re all just internet weirdos with awkward social habits trying to connect. Nobody is better than anybody here.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
*Salt-N-Pepa’s Shoop comes on the radio* Kid: Mom... Me: 😎 Kid: Mom. Please don’t. Me: *Inhales deeply* Kid: I’m begging you! Me: *raps* Here I go, here I go, here I go again! Girls, what's my weakness? *points* Kid: Men... 🙄
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
OMG 😂😂😂
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
I don’t know who did this, but thank you. 😂
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
3 years
I have had 3 friends end up in the hospital with stroke like symptoms, two ended up with strokes, and one is undiagnosed. Yesterday I went to the hospital with heart attack symptoms & my blood pressure was 194/145. Prolonged stress is killing us. Plz take care of yourselves.
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
@kylie_robison I told him this morning and he goes, “I don’t need fame” 😂
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
2 years
TODAY IS MY FIRST DAY AT GOOGLE!
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
Someone told me that their content doesn’t get respect because it’s beginner content. Do you know how deep your expertise has to be to create great content for a beginner audience? It takes true skill and empathy — I’ll fight anyone who shits on beginner content.
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
3 years
When I was in bootcamp and said I was struggling with python my instructors told me I should just quit and stopped helping me. I didn’t give up and continued to learn on my own. Now I lead a team of engineers at Microsoft. You can do it!
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Someone just posted this on linkedin and I almost threw my computer.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
2 years
I'M HEADED TO @GOOGLE AS HEAD OF DEVELOPER COMMUNITIES!!!
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
6 years
Always work for someone who has your back. I just turned down a speaking gig because the organizer suggested I bring a real developer with me to answer technical questions. I AM A REAL DEVELOPER! Thanks @listonb for always supporting me.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
What better time than a global pandemic?
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
6 years
It's going to be a wonderful friendship. I can feel it. <3
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
3 years
The first question I ask people when they start reporting to me is, “how do you like to be managed?” Your management style should adapt to the individual not the other way around.
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
and I’m done now. Glad this brought some of y’all some joy.
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
2 years
PSA for everyone over 35: Tiktok isn’t for us. I left a comment on a video and the way these young folks are roasting me is so specific it’s hurting my feelings. 😂😭
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
3 years
I… uh… ordered the biggest monitor I’ve ever seen.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Kid: If you could curse your worst enemy what would you do? Me: Thats an odd question, bud. I don’t know... Kid: I’d curse them with damp socks, not wet, just forever damp. Me: 😳 Kid: 😎 I’m raising a monster 😂
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
6 years
My pocket developer showed up today. Isn’t it beautiful?
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
2 years
Had someone explain databases to me like I’m 5 yesterday and when I tried to tell them that I didn’t need an explanation because I used to be an engineer they kept going but would pause every so often to say, in a mocking tone, “but you know because you used to be an engineer” 🙄
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
As a single mother you learn to use all the tools in your toolbox. Like, the screensaver, for instance.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
I woke up from a nap in the middle of actually having a baby! Introducing: Marlowe Dean Willis 😍
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
What’s the best tech talk you’ve ever seen?
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
My boyfriend just tucked me in burrito style, whispered in my ear that I’m the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen, then got up to make us breakfast. I’m glad he didn’t see me drop my phone on my face as soon as he left the room.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
My husband asked me if I wanted hot chocolate and then he brought me this 😍
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
She’s only 53 days old, but it’s 2020.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Hear me out: an edit button, but it expires in one minute so you can't be sneaky later.
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
11 months
Excited to share that, starting next week, you may refer to me as Senior Director of DevRel at @github !
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
3 years
I’m 40 today. I’d like to dedicate this birthday the muscle I pulled getting out of bed this morning.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
My kid made this at school, it doesn’t work or anything, but look at his soldering! I’m dying from cute. 😭😭
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
I’m obsessed with this pin 😂😂😂
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@ashleymcnamara
Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
I treated myself and deleted Facebook from my phone.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
3 years
I’m interested in how COVID has affected us socially because I don’t know about y’all but I have 0 social stamina I miss people, but I also don’t want to see or talk to anyone & if I do then I can only be genuinely interested for about 20 mins before I start looking for the exit
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Hello, Police? Yes, I'd like to report a crime.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
2 years
Today is my last day at Microsoft. Leaving such a great team was a difficult decision, but it’s time for me to move onto something else and make space for new leaders. <3
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Oh, yea, so I got a promotion.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
3 years
Raise your hand if you took a non-traditional path into tech 🤚
@jacquelinebinya
Jacqueline Binya
3 years
@ashleymcnamara What ? You are also took a non traditional path to software development. I am mind blown. Motivated for days. I can do this💪.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
1 year
@iamharaldur This is the kindest, most respectful, fuck around and find out reply I’ve ever seen. I’m rooting for you ❤️
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
3 years
When they’re calling you old but you’re actually so sooo much older *cries in windows 3.1*
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Get a roomba they said, it’ll be fun they said... My dogs had other plans. I’ve had this roomba for, like, 8 hours...
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
Wonder why women leave tech? Wonder why some would want to before they’ve even started? Do better. Y’all are disgusting.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
3 years
I’m... I am VERIFIED
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
7 years
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
When I expressed sadness over my friends not inviting me to their zoom parties I was told, “well, you’re busy with the baby”. Listen, I might not always be able to make it, but being excluded all together is rough. We’re already so isolated. I had a baby. I didn’t fucking die.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
I’m... uhhh... not a morning person. 😬😅
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
Who remembers this?
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Yes! The #AppleEvent is tomorrow! The day where I complain about the lack of innovation and turn right around and give them my life’s savings.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Awww how sad! He blocked me! 😂
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Diggie has a cut on her paw so I wrapped it and now she looks like she has a peg leg 😅
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
It’s TIME! The induction has begun so if you don’t want to hear about all things baby for the next few days then you should probably mute me.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
What this wedding planning process has taught me is that a wedding isn't for you, it's for everyone else, and everyone has an opinion about how you should celebrate YOUR day. I'm turning this car around and eloping.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
Am I the only one not at all bothered by being with my partner 24/7? He hasn’t annoyed me once. 😅
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Too real 😂😂😂
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
3 years
Help! She’s too cute 😭
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
I wish we would normalize failure more. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but all your hero’s have baggage.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
1 year
Yeah, sex is great, but what about when there's a place for everything and everything is in its place?
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
3 years
You ever start replying to a tweet or text but half way through think to yourself, “I’m annoying” and then delete the whole thing? Because I do that all the time. 🥴
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
2 years
When I got hired at Microsoft my dad asked me to send him my offer letter so he could frame it and I thought that was pretty cute, but this is better. 😍
@davidfowl
David Fowler
2 years
When I got a job at Microsoft, there was an article in the local news paper and my parents framed it.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
3 years
I understand the intent of this post and know it’s not malicious, however, learning to code is difficult and this “anyone can code” // “coding isn’t hard” dialogue made me feel dumb as hell when I was new.
@CatMcGeeCode
Cat McGee | catmcgee.eth/lens
3 years
Whenever I meet someone and tell them I’m a programmer, they always immediately assume I’m super smart Guys, can we collectively try to make people understand coding is not difficult? It is literally googling and fixing bugs we caused in the first place Anyone can code
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
OMG! Love the photos @PeterAdamsPhoto took of me during OSCON! I was mad that my hair wasn’t cooperating that day, but I still look fly 💁‍♀️
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
Women have always been at the forefront of technology and we always will be. 😎
@MIT_CSAIL
MIT CSAIL
5 years
Here's the moment when the first black hole image was processed, from the eyes of researcher Katie Bouman. #EHTBlackHole #BlackHoleDay #BlackHole (v/ @dfbarajas )
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
6 years
What I really love to do on the first night of any conference is order room service and not talk to anyone.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
Husband: Do you want me to make you something for breakfast? Me: Nah Husband: *makes himself breakfast* Me: *eats half of his breakfast* 😎
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
1 year
I’m just gonna leave this here
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
7 years
Why I joined @Microsoft
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
6 years
I was poor growing up and one year my parents couldn’t afford Christmas presents, so, my mom got a job as a hotel maid just so they could afford gifts, that’s why I tip my maids, and you should too. Thanks for coming to my Ted talk.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
"Just build something" isn't great advice for someone just starting their coding journey. Knowing what you know now what advice would you give someone just starting out?
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
2 years
Listen, I don’t know why. I want to know as much as you do and if I have to canvas this whole damn city to find out then I will.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
5 years
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
Have y’all checked on your single men in tech friends? How have they been eating without free lunches and meetup pizza? 🤔
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
4 years
Being a career switcher is so interesting. A few times a year I’ll have to remind a family member that I can’t just give them a to-do list to get into tech, but the one I get the most is men in tech who ask me to mentor their wives, like, sir... we have the same job, you do it.
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Ashley Willis (McNamara)
3 years
It’s been awhile since I’ve bragged about how cute my baby is so look at her! 😍
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