Series: Getting to know the wonderful Continuous Delivery Community
Lisa N. Cao
Pronouns: She/Her/They
Location: San Francisco, CA
Who are you?
I’m a product manager and data engineer in the open source data space. Currently I work with Datastrato where we created and launched the Apache Gravitino project, an end-to-end data and AI catalog for empowering enterprise AI development and DataOps. I also run the DataOps Initiative here at the CDF and OPEA’s Developer Experience Working Group and serve on the LF AI & Data Outreach committee. I think most folks know me as the “connector” between different branches of LF though.
What are your hobbies?
I really enjoy reading and watching science fiction, and try to frequent book clubs when I can and attend Trekkie events. I’ve also built and painted model spaceships but it can be hard to find time these days for such nerdy hobbies! I also really like cycling, golfing, and billiards since they’re semi-social activities that can be done in any city. I’ve also been known to draw and paint people, mostly in traditional mediums like conte and watercolour.
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
A comic book artist! I was obsessed with interning for DC or Darkhorse at one point and wanted to release my own series.
What led you to a career in tech?
Initially I was “that girl who fixes printers” in my psychology department during University, which then snowballed into learning R through RLadies to try and get around wetlab work. The same thing happened when I worked at a women’s center in a rough area that was working on donated computers running Ubuntu, and ended up managing all of them. Like many other IT folks, being “good with computers” can steamroll you unexpectedly, even if it’s just by a hair more than those around you.
Do you remember your first open source contribution?
“Update readme”
How did you get involved in the Continuous Delivery Foundation?
Dadisi Sanyika ended up attending my “Open Source DataOps and MLOps strategies” talk at the 2023 Linux Foundation Member’s Summit, we had an awesome chat and friendship stemmed from that. Later that year, I became a CDF Ambassador.
What is your favorite thing/project/tech to work on?
Of course, Apache Gravitino! The very nature of the project forces you to touch basically everything (event streams, unstructured data, relational stores, generative AI frameworks, security, query processing, etc..). It’s overwhelming and I’m glad I don’t have Jerry Shao’s job (Datastrato CTO & Apache Gravitino release manager), but I love the synergy between our project and the DataOps Initiative.
Tell us about the thing you’re most proud of and why?
I think making it through the pandemic as a caregiver for my very sick dad. Many people might point to a professional accomplishment here but I think the moments that build us are the ones that hit home. 2 jobs, a worldwide shutdown, and elderly caregiving is no joke! Huge respect for anyone who has to take care of family during tough times.
What is your #1 top tip for getting involved in the community?
Go to conferences and working group meetings as often as you can. Community is social by nature so get out there! I’ve been known to drop in randomly on OpenSSF meetings, OPEA meetings, Generative AI Commons, CDF meetings, random project town halls, etc. If your mailing list is open you’re never truly safe! Everyone has always been excited to see a new face and share what they’re working on.
What’s your favourite open source conference?
Open Source Summit NA, hands down! It’s big enough to find your people in as a newbie and the people are amazing. I got started with the Linux Foundation through those Diversity Scholarships that are offered.
Where can we find you?
More from Lisa
Lisa will be hosting a CD Workshop this week about the Fundamentals of DataOps. RSVP to join virtually on March 27.
