Melissa Whitehead
About Melissa Whitehead
Melissa Whitehead serves as the Vice President of Engineering and Chief Technology Officer at Kensho Technologies, where she leads the Data Engineering & Infrastructure division. With a background in software engineering from FactSet Research Systems, she has extensive experience in back-end application development and internal tools development.
Work at Kensho Technologies
Melissa Whitehead has been with Kensho Technologies since August 2016, initially joining as a software engineer. She currently holds the position of VP Engineering and Chief Technology Officer. In her role, she heads the Data Engineering & Infrastructure division, overseeing critical projects related to back-end application development. She has led the team responsible for developing internal tools and test infrastructure, contributing to the company's operational efficiency and technical capabilities.
Previous Experience at FactSet Research Systems
Before joining Kensho Technologies, Melissa Whitehead worked at FactSet Research Systems as a Senior Software Engineer. Her tenure lasted from 2004 to 2012, during which she gained substantial experience in software development. This role provided her with a strong foundation in engineering practices and technical skills that she later applied in her leadership positions.
Education and Expertise
Melissa Whitehead earned her Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from the University of Michigan, where she studied from 2000 to 2004. Her educational background has equipped her with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in her engineering roles. Her expertise includes back-end application development, data engineering, and infrastructure management.
Leadership and Team Management
In her capacity as VP Engineering and Chief Technology Officer at Kensho Technologies, Melissa Whitehead has demonstrated leadership in managing technical teams. She served as the Head of Data Engineering and Query Infrastructure, where she guided her team in developing essential internal tools. Her management of the Internal Tools team reflects her commitment to enhancing the company's technological framework.
Personal Interests
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Melissa Whitehead enjoys playing strategy board games with her children. She also engages in amateur bird photography, reflecting her interest in nature and creativity. These personal pursuits contribute to her well-rounded character and provide a balance to her professional life.