Employee Spotlight with Nicola Riker, Senior Software Engineer

As a mission driven organization, our team members' talent and passion are at the center of our success! Meet Nicola Riker, a Senior Software Engineer whose work in enhancing our platform’s user experience has been pivotal. Discover what inspires Nicola and how her contributions help advance our mission of putting caregivers at the center of an equitable and effective healthcare ecosystem.

Q: What inspired you to join the team here?

Nicola: I was inspired to join CareAcademy because its mission directly addresses the real challenges that everyday Americans face today, particularly as the demographics of our key users continue to evolve. I saw an opportunity to contribute by enhancing the user interface to ensure that our solution remains impactful and accessible for the long term. The challenge of improving the UI for sustained usability felt like the perfect fit for me.

Q: What's something you're proud to have worked on?

Nicola: I'm proud to have worked on CareAcademy’s very first design system component library. Before this, our UI was challenging to use and required significant front-end development effort from engineers primarily focused on functionality and APIs. My work on the design system has streamlined the development process, freeing up our team’s time and enabling us to explore new verticals with a consistent and cohesive user interface.

Q: What does a day in the life of a Software Engineer look like?

Nicola: A day in the life of a Software Engineer at CareAcademy is dynamic and full of creativity. My day typically starts with some code review to see what my fellow co-workers have checked in, and then we begin with a team stand-up meeting where we sync up on our progress, share insights, and align on priorities. From there, I dive into front-end development, whether it's refining user interfaces, optimizing performance, or implementing new features to enhance our design system.

I’m passionate about crafting seamless user experiences and constantly exploring new technologies and approaches to make our applications more intuitive and accessible. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, brainstorming creative solutions, and seeing the impact of our work on real users keeps me motivated and excited to innovate every day.

Q: What is it like being apart of the Software Engineering team

Nicola: Being part of the Software Engineering team at CareAcademy feels like crafting a mosaic, where each piece represents a line of code, a design element, or a creative solution. It’s a place where diverse talents come together, each contributing a unique hue to a shared vision. There’s a rhythm to our collaboration — a dance between logic and creativity, where ideas flow freely and challenges become opportunities for growth.

Every day, we build more than just software; we build connections, both with each other and with the people who will use our products. It’s a space where curiosity is celebrated, innovation is encouraged, and every contribution adds to the story we’re writing together.

Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Nicola: Outside of work, I love diving into the worlds of Brandon Sanderson’s fantasy books or getting lost in video games. Sometimes, I enjoy games that let me manage a street, city, or civilization, while other times, I immerse myself in story-driven adventures like Baldur's Gate 3. It’s a great balance between relaxation and exploration.

Q: What’s a fun fact about you?

Nicola: I have a passion for cooking dishes from different cultures, often from scratch. I believe that great ingredients and timeless techniques are a universal way to bring people together and share meaningful moments with loved ones.

Q: What is the CareAcademy value that most resonates with you?

Nicola: For me, the value that resonates most is Adaptable. In a world that never stops changing, being adaptable means embracing every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow. It’s about remaining open to new ideas, agile in the face of uncertainty, and ready to pivot when needed, all while keeping our mission at the core of what we do. At CareAcademy, adaptability allows us to innovate with purpose and stay ahead of the curve, ensuring we’re always moving forward, no matter what comes our way.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working here?

Nicola: What I love most about working at CareAcademy is the people. They are the heartbeat of our work — a team of brilliant, passionate individuals who inspire me daily. It’s the camaraderie, the shared laughs, the collective drive to make a difference that makes each day feel meaningful. Our diverse perspectives and unique strengths come together like pieces of a puzzle, creating something bigger than any one of us could achieve alone. It’s a joy to be part of such a vibrant, supportive community.

Stay tuned for more spotlights on our amazing team and check out our careers page - we’re hiring!