I’m Najla — a corporate hippie helping emerging and experienced engineering leaders bring their work into alignment with who they are to reduce the friction that comes with such positions. Together, we’ll make sure you lead with clarity, confidence, and integrity.

I’m currently a Director of Engineering at Squadformers, where I provide engineering leadership to mission-driven startups, ranging from R&D to executive strategy. Previously at Etsy, I led teams of 50+, drove over $200M in incremental sales, opened an international office, and scaled organizational processes for growth while turning employees into managers, principle engineers, and directors. My technical domain experience includes a broad range across mobile, fullstack, and machine learning. However, my true specialty lies in people-first leadership and building systems that enable teams to do their best work.

I’ve also spoken at conferences, published content, and taken on advisory roles for organizations like LeadDev. My career has taken me across the U.S., Mexico, and Germany, which, in combination with my Middle Eastern roots, gives me a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives. I hold a Master of Engineering in Engineering Management from Cornell University.

Outside of work, you’ll find me writing, wandering outdoors, and doing my best to live a balanced, intentional life. I split my time between New York, Berlin, and Beirut to stay close to the people and places that ground me.