My tech career has focused on making tools that help people be their best, from Design Systems that support engineers building UIs to personal style. I've built products in code and no-code, created component libraries, written technical documentation, created and given hundreds of hours of workshops and trainings, owned product for a Design System used by 150+ projects, built a business solo, and been first product and engineer at a startup.
Not all skills are visible on a resume. Here's me at my best, explained via my StrengthsFinder Top 5.
I make things happen by turning thoughts into action. I'm a catalyst, and my enthusiasm is contagious.
I'm a visionary. My powerful visions and explanations of what could be helps others turn aspirations into reality.
I intuit and create alternative ways. I anticipate relevant patterns, making me an agile decision-maker.
I accumulate information, ideas, and relationships that help me make credible and well-informed decisions.
My ability to find words for my (and your) thoughts and feelings helps me make meaningful connections.
FRONT END DESIGN CONF · ST. PETERSBURG, FL · APRIL 2024
CSSCONF EU · BERLIN, GERMANY · JUNE 2019
CLARITYCONF · SAN FRANCISCO, CA · NOVEMBER 2017
“One of those great ones: masterfully weaving two topics, astronomy and
web development, with an impeccable presentation, purposeful analogies,
valuable insight and captivating stories.”
CONVERGE SE · COLUMBIA, SC · APRIL 2015
KEYNOTE CSSCONF OAKLAND · OAKLAND, CA · DECEMBER 2014
FRONT END DESIGN CONF · ST. PETERSBURG, FL · JULY 2014
“Unequivocally my favourite session—an eloquent and raw talk that
spoke directly to the soul of everyone there.”
40+ HOURS TRAINING CONTENT, INTERNAL FOR INDEED · AUSTIN, TX & TOKYO, JAPAN · 2017–2018
“Elyse does a great job making an abstract concept very relatable. Rather than talk about high level best practices, she found relevant real life examples. Her workshop felt more collaborative then just a one-way lecture.”
SASSCONF · AUSTIN, TX · 2015
Created and ran call for proposal and speaker selection process, including a speaker mentorship program to help speakers prepare, refine, and practice their talks. Improved submission rate from underrepresented groups in tech from 5% to 48%, including international, women, trans and LGTBQ+, and non-white speakers.
Created and fundraised for attendee scholarship program. Through corporate and attendee scholarship donations, we funded five full-ride scholarships for women/non-binary attendees from three countries. This program also inspired other conferences to create full-fledged scholarships.
"Conf scholarships aren't about diversity numbers; they can be life-changing. Thanks for the reminder @elyseholladay. —Una Kravets, on her experience with SassConf's scholarship program
SASSCONF · NEW YORK CITY, NY · OCTOBER 2014 · in collaboration with Jina Anne
