Photo of a young man's face, wearing black round glasses.

Ben Isenstein Resume

Full-Stack++ | Open Source | Developer Experience

Contact

Call and text: 403-477-4176

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benisenstein

Summary

A competent full-stack engineer with five years of experience. Has led the technical implementation of enterprise applications and coordinated across teams. Five years of experience as a freelance musician. Growth-oriented and striving to work across every layer of software delivery.

Systems thinker, with experience building tools for developer teams. Eager to mentor and enable others to do their best work. Able to learn quickly, solve problems effectively, and apply new learnings across domains.

Ambitious team member with a passion for clear communication, collaboration, and accountability. Values interpersonal skills, achievement, and cultural competence with all colleagues/clients.

Over ten years of experience in environments with an emphasis on mentorship (YMCA, Elizabeth Fry, SAIT Summer Camps, Ottawa Youth Jazz Summit).

Education

Full Stack Developer (Evolve Vocational Program) - InceptionU, Calgary (2021)

Bachelor of Music (Jazz Piano Performance, Honors) - University of Toronto (2020)

Professional Development

Complete Python Bootcamp | Zero to Hero in Python - Udemy for Business (2021)
JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures - FreeCodeCamp.org (2021)
SEEDS CONNECTIONS | Building Student Leaders - Cenovus Energy (2014)

Work Experience

Freelance Developer, Software Consultant (2021 - Present)

Software engineer consultant with DevTheory Inc. at Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement Service (OMERS). Building private full-stack applications for financial research, data analysis, dashboarding. Strict security requirements managing pension funds in Ontario, New York, London, Singapore. (Jan 2022-Sep 2024)
Project manager/web developer for UPWEGO.ai, built and styled Shopify storefront for client. (Nov-Dec 2021)

Open Source Software Contributor (2021 - Present)

supabase/supabase - The open-source Firebase alternative.
BenIsenstein/pgonrails - Self-hosted Supabase. Amazing developer experience.
sinonjs/fake-timers - Browser clock APIs for testing. Upstream dependency of Jest.
wilfredinni/python-cheatsheet - All-inclusive Python cheatsheet.

Collaborative Freelance Musician, Canada/Italy (2015 - present)

Performing regularly in Calgary’s local music scene (present)
Engaged in music and dance traditions across South America - Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil (2024-25)
Participant, Siena Jazz International Summer Workshop, Italy (2019)
Member, TD Ottawa Jazz Festival Youth Summit, All-Expenses Paid Residency (2019)
Presented by Youth Jazz Canada in Toronto (2017)
Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Festival (2016, 2017, 2019)
Led an inter-provincial music project at Cafe Resonance, Montreal (May 2018)

Contractor, Tutor Doctor Calgary (September 2020 - April 2021)

Providing student-specific academic tutoring to high school students in Math, Science and English. Maintaining communication with families, planning lessons, submitting invoices.

Camps Leader, SAIT Summer Camps (June - August 2018, August 2019)

Delivered unique, engaging, educational and skill building experiences to youth in grades 4-12 in a safe and fun environment
Six single-week business-oriented camps: Next Great Entrepreneur, Investment Masters, Corporate Creators, Money Masters, Supply Chain of Command, Advertising Adventures
Worked with children who are neuro-diverse and have varying needs
Demonstrated a strong ability to manage stressful situations calmly and effectively
Modelled appropriate behaviors for children and youth

Business Owner/Operator, Flow Custom Kendamas (2012-2014)

Imported over 400 kendamas (Japanese skill toy), resulting in gross sales of ~$10,000
Grew a customer base locally to over 100 people
Promoted community through weekly events, competitions and private functions

Additional Experience

Youth Mentorship Volunteer, Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary (Fall 2020 - Summer 2022)

Received training in understanding the Alberta criminal justice system, issues of immigration, Indigenous perspectives, and mentoring youth dealing with criminal charges.
Attended meet-and-greets with potential mentees, spent time one-on-one, establishing rapport.
Engaged in continual outreach and meetings with matched mentee, encouraging personal growth, finding purpose, and a life outside the criminal legal system.