Chris Demwell
About Chris Demwell
Chris Demwell serves as the Vice President of Engineering at Shortcut, bringing over ten years of experience in software engineering and technical operations management. He has held various engineering leadership roles at companies such as Segment, Treasure Data, and Unbounce, and advocates for a collaborative and compassionate workplace culture.
Work at Shortcut
Chris Demwell currently serves as the Vice President of Engineering at Shortcut, a position he has held since 2022. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing engineering operations and driving the company's technical vision. His leadership focuses on fostering an environment that encourages engineers to excel and innovate. Shortcut benefits from his extensive experience in software engineering and technical operations management.
Previous Experience in Engineering Management
Before joining Shortcut, Chris held several significant roles in engineering management. He worked at Segment as an Engineering Manager and Vancouver Site Lead from 2017 to 2018. He also served as the Senior Director of Engineering at Treasure Data for a brief period in 2021, following a two-year tenure as Director of Engineering at the same company from 2019 to 2021. His career includes roles at Unbounce and Indicee Inc., where he contributed to various engineering projects.
Education and Expertise
Chris Demwell studied at Simon Fraser University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computing Science from 1996 to 2003. His educational background laid the foundation for his extensive career in software engineering, system architecture, and technical operations management, spanning over ten years. He is recognized as a devops evangelist and has a strong commitment to building dynamic engineering teams.
Background in Software Development
Chris has a diverse background in software development, having worked in various roles since the late 1990s. His early career included positions such as Web Application Developer at G7 Systems and Peoplesoft Reporting Software Analyst at Simon Fraser University. He also held a role as a Software Developer at SAP in 2011. This breadth of experience has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of software engineering and operations.
Leadership Philosophy
Chris advocates for a compassionate and collaborative workplace culture. He emphasizes the importance of empathy, curiosity, ownership, grit, and rigor within engineering teams. His leadership philosophy centers on the belief that success is a byproduct of continuous learning, which he applies to organizational development. This approach aims to inspire engineers to achieve their best work while fostering a supportive environment.