Hi, I’m Wally.

I’m a Staff Engineer based in Ontario, Canada, working at Wattpad, which is part of NAVER. My work focuses on building and evolving large-scale web products, with an emphasis on creating systems that are both technically solid and genuinely useful for the people who use them.

Over the course of my career, I’ve worked across the full web stack, particularly within the JavaScript and PHP ecosystems. While I still enjoy writing code every day, a big part of my role now involves technical leadership, helping teams make good architectural decisions, improving the developer experience, and connecting engineering work to product outcomes.

I’m especially interested in the intersection of engineering and product: building systems that scale, but also making sure the right problems are being solved in the first place. That often means collaborating closely with product managers, designers, and other engineers to find practical solutions that balance long-term maintainability with shipping real value to users.

Like most developers, I still enjoy experimenting with new technologies and ideas when time allows. Side projects and small experiments are often where the most interesting learning happens.

Outside of work, I spend most of my time with my family, usually around my kids’ sports (I’m currently coaching two highly-competitive Rep hockey teams). I also enjoy getting outdoors, travelling, photography, and perfecting the art of grilling a great steak.

I originally created this site as a place to share things I’ve learned along the way. When I started my career, it wasn’t always clear whether I was approaching problems the right way. I’m still learning every day, but if something here helps another developer think through a problem a little faster, then it’s served its purpose.

If you notice something I’ve gotten wrong, or just have thoughts to share,  free to reach out.

Cheers,
Wally