About Me

I'm co-founder of LanguaTalk, an AI-powered language learning platform with human tutors and conversational AI. After 6.5 years as a software engineering manager at Google, I'm now focused full-time on building products that solve real problems and helping language learners connect across cultures.

My Journey

My path has been anything but linear. After graduating from Georgia Tech with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, I started in management consulting at a Big 4 firm. While successful on paper, I felt unfulfilled pushing spreadsheets for large corporations.

Everything changed when my brother Darren and I built Body Boss, a fitness app. Those late nights teaching myself to code transformed my career trajectory. I pivoted from consultant to engineer, joining Big Nerd Ranch as a lead software engineer, then founding Kevy (successfully exited), before spending 6.5 years at Google as a software engineering manager.

In 2021, I co-founded LanguaTalk while still at Google. What began as a side project and tutoring marketplace has evolved into a comprehensive AI language learning platform. When Langua, our AI conversation partner, started generating significant revenue, I made the decision to leave Google in October 2025 to focus full-time on LanguaTalk. Langua provides human-like conversations with AI tutors - helping learners practice naturally, just as children acquire language through immersion rather than rigid exercises.

Current Chapter

Today, I'm focused full-time on LanguaTalk and Langua. After leaving Google in October 2025, I get to wake up every day building something I truly believe in while being present for my four kids. The skills from my time at Google - building products at scale, developing teams, making technical decisions with impact - now channel directly into growing LanguaTalk.

We've grown from a tutoring marketplace to a comprehensive AI language learning platform. We now offer both human tutors and Langua, our AI conversation partner that provides unlimited practice. Langua has transformed from an experiment into our fastest-growing product, and it's incredibly fulfilling to build something that helps thousands of people break down language barriers and connect across cultures.

Community & Mentorship

Growing up in a working-class neighborhood outside Atlanta, I learned the importance of community from people like Dennis, my barber, who created a space where young Black men could see possibilities beyond their circumstances. That experience drives my passion for mentoring engineers and entrepreneurs, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds who might not see themselves reflected in tech leadership.

I've spoken at conferences and meetups about technical topics, but I'm equally passionate about the human side of technology - how we can build more inclusive teams and products that serve everyone.

Personal Life

I live in Atlanta with my amazing wife Katerina and our four wonderful children - Damian, Dahlia, Zoe, and Alexia. Katerina has been my partner through every entrepreneurial adventure, late-night coding session, and career pivot. Her support and wisdom have been instrumental in both our family's journey and my professional growth.

When I'm not building LanguaTalk, you'll find me on the soccer field, learning new languages, or mentoring other engineers. Family time is sacred to us - whether it's weekend adventures around Atlanta or simply being present for the daily moments that matter.

What Drives Me

I'm motivated by the intersection of technology and human impact. Whether it's helping language learners connect across cultures through LanguaTalk and Langua, or simply being present for my children as they navigate their own questions about identity and belonging in the world.

I believe in direct communication, learning from failure, and using whatever platform or privilege I have to make things a little better for the next person coming up behind me.