Discuss Employee Spotlight – Amy

The “Discuss Employee Spotlight” is a Q&A series dedicated to showcasing all of the amazing talent at Discuss.

For this month’s profile, we talked with Amy Ramsay, Director of Engineering, who joined the Discuss team in March of 2022 and is based out of Seattle, Washington.

1. Tell our readers a little bit about your role at Discuss.
   As the Engineering Director at Discuss, I lead a diverse and talented group of engineers who are passionate about our mission. My role involves overseeing four engineering teams: Engineering Services, Product Engineering, Quality Engineering, and Platform Engineering. When I first joined Discuss, we had just one engineering team. Over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of helping to grow and diversify our engineering organization.
   
   My role includes technical oversight as well as fostering an environment where engineers can thrive. I love working with people and supporting them in doing what they really enjoy and what makes them happy. Seeing my team members excel and find joy in their work is the most rewarding part of my job.
   
2. Which of Discuss’ core values are most inspired by? (Empathize, Collaborate, Obsess, Out Innovate, Excel)
   Empathize: I believe that when you really work to understand someone’s perspective, you can find the best solutions to problems. Empathy drives us to create better products, work more effectively as a team, and build stronger connections with our users. It’s a core value that resonates deeply with me and guides my approach to leadership and collaboration.
   
3. Tell us about your team and the mindset (and approach) you’re instilling.
   I lead a diverse and talented group of engineers who are passionate about our mission. The mindset I’m instilling in my team is one of intrinsic motivation and continuous learning. I believe that engineers do their best work when they are intrinsically motivated, so I strive to create an environment where each team member feels valued, challenged, and supported.
   
   We prioritize open communication, collaboration, and a willingness to embrace new ideas and technologies. Our approach is to tackle challenges together, learn from our experiences, and always strive for excellence.
   
4. What project or initiative are you most proud of at Discuss?
   I am incredibly proud of the updates we have made to the unmoderated research option, Self Captures, and the development of AI features on our platform. These enhancements drive the company in a new direction with immense potential. I’m also proud of how we’ve added AI features in an intentional way that truly adds value for our users, rather than just following trends.
   
   Additionally, I’m thrilled about the investments we’ve made in the last year in engineering, helping us to realize our full SaaS potential. These efforts have significantly strengthened our technological foundation and opened up new possibilities for innovation. 
   
5. What is something unique about you (a fun fact) that few people know about?
   I am very passionate about the outdoors and wildlife, and have traveled to 29 different countries. I love adventure and exploring. There is so much to learn in the world, and I enjoy every opportunity to discover something new.