What is your professional background and what led you to start Morty?
I have always been drawn towards work that has a social mission, so immediately after college I jumped into the non-profit sector. I loved the work I was doing, but was frustrated by my inability to track the needs and progress of my clients or to gain macro level insights. I wanted to apply technology to the work I was doing in order to amplify the impact. This was the main impetus for me to go back to school for my Masters in computer science, and has influenced where and how I have worked as an engineer since.
In 2016, we co-founded Morty with the mission to empower homebuyers to make smarter financial decisions. Beyond the mission, it was the staggering size and potential impact of our product that excited me. Mortgage is two thirds of all household debt—home ownership is an extremely powerful financial vehicle that can either be the foundation of someone’s financial health or the start of its descent. Talk about impact!
As a female engineer, what is one piece of advice you can give to new starting female engineers?
Engineers make mistakes and break things, that’s part of the territory, but it’s your ability to recover from those mistakes and learn from them that will set you apart. Instead of being embarrassed or hiding your mistakes, use them to make more informed decisions every day.
How do you stay energized and motivated for your company and colleagues?
It starts with having a mission that you believe in passionately. But it’s my team that really keeps me motivated! We’ve hired an amazing and talented group of people who make it fun, challenging, and educational to come to work every day.
Who is someone that has been influential in your career and why?
My co-founders who have always believed in me and pushed me to take on more in my ever-expanding role.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career thus far, and how have you overcome it?
Feeling comfortable and confident in a new role, one that’s full of challenges and decisions that I have never personally encountered before. It can be scary, but the trick is to ask for help and advice from people who have done it before. Utilize all of the resources that are made available to you. You’ll be wiser, and hopefully make a few less mistakes along the way.
Reach out to Nora on LinkedIn.