Tallawah's Sixth Interview: Joel Dean, Software Engineer at WordPress.com, WEF Global Shaper

Описание: OVERVIEW
The Tallawah podcast is the product of many musings on the perception of success. How success is typically defined within societies can vary greatly from how an individual perceives success. Tallawah is a venture led by Latoya Wakefield (IG: @latoyawakefield) and Yanique Taylor (IG: @taylored.consulting), entrepreneurs pursuing their own version of success. As Jamaicans, Tallawah is a word used in our culture that means strength or fearlessness. The phrase, "wi likkle but wi tallawah" is used often to acknowledge our fellow Jamaicans locally and internationally who are achieving greatness, especially through their passions. This greatness across many domains is what we are featuring through Tallawah, with the goal to inspire others to seek out and achieve their own passion-fuelled success. We are seeking to help change lives one ear at a time (Shout out to Charles Hyatt, II for the tagline!)

GUEST
Joel Dean, C.E.O. – Nobi Labs Services Limited

A seasoned software architect and device magician, Joel Dean is Jamaica’s very own tech mogul-in-the-making. At 26 years old, he boasts over 10 years of experience building applications for iPhones, Android phones and computers. Joel has built several tech start-ups and lead Android development efforts, providing solutions even in the most remote areas of the world. He has managed one of the world’s largest data collection platforms, deployed to more than 50 countries, in 40 languages, for more than 1.5 million users. His expertise has impacted Google, Facebook, Apple, Red Cross, and the World Health Organization.

Joel is a proud graduate of the Northern Caribbean University and the May Pen High and Preparatory Schools. His unique story of triumph over adversity, lead to a feature interview on the Jamaican talk show Profile, made popular by the late Ian Boyne.

Joel Dean is an active member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers, a community organisation that brings the brightest minds together to solve the world’s toughest problems. He is also the lead organizer for the Google Developers Group in Kingston, Jamaica. His passion for youth development has lead him to become a mentor to young men and women who are interested in pursuing a career in the space of technology. His initiative, “Code for a Cause” sees him going into high schools across Central Jamaica to speak on how technology, when used to its fullest advantage, transforms the expectations and possibilities for our youth, our country, and our future.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
 Developed an app, during a competition sponsored by the World Bank and Jamaican Government, called the Pothole Positioning System which allows persons to use their smartphones to detect potholes while they are driving.
 He calls himself the device magician because “I’m able to push these devices we use every day to the limit to do things that just seem magical”.
 Inspired by his father who was always into maintenance and technical tasks.
 Works extensively with several global companies such as GitHub, Google, Facebook and Twitter based on software he has built.
 “Remote work is really changing the landscape of how talent distribution is able to provide skills and services for companies all over the world without worrying about language barriers, time zones and geographical differences.”
 “There are persons in Canada that have offered me jobs, people in Germany that have offered me jobs as well and several others, but it’s just not my time as yet. Jamaica will always be my home even if I leave for a few years.”
 About his initiative, “Code for a Cause” he says “I’m just breaking down how we can convert from consumers to producers.” This initiative helps to expose youth to the opportunities available through using technology creatively.
 He encourages the local market to support local app developers through the provision of funding and using the applications developed.
 About Jamaica and its development, “We have to take technology more seriously because technology has been one of the greatest catalyst for improving the quality of life for major cities across the world.”


RESOURCES
Email: [email protected]

Site: getnobi.com

Twitter: @sirjoeldean
  / joel-dean-0b624537  
https://github.com/jd-alexander

BE A TALLAWAH TEAMMATE
Thank you for listening! Feel free to email us at [email protected] with your feedback or questions. We appreciate your support, so do let us know how we can ensure your Tallawah experience is “100”. If you know a Jamaican who is dominating, let us know and they may be our next guest!

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