Jelena Riley’s journey from mathematics student in Serbia to Technical Manager at Viator isn’t your typical tech story – and that’s precisely what makes it so valuable for anyone forging their own path in the industry.
What happens when you combine mathematical aptitude with bold initiative? For Jelena, it meant knocking on a software company’s door and asking to volunteer after graduation. This seemingly simple act launched a remarkable career spanning continents and technologies. Her story demolishes the myth that you need a computer science degree or childhood coding experience to succeed in tech.
Transitioning between radically different technology environments – from Windows to web, internal to external customers, and completely different programming languages and databases – Jelena candidly shares how she battled imposter syndrome while adapting to TripAdvisor’s ecosystem as a new parent. Her perseverance during this challenging period offers valuable lessons about resilience and the importance of supportive workplace cultures.
Throughout her nearly decade-long tenure at TripAdvisor and Viator, Jelena has witnessed and guided teams through transformative technological shifts: on-premise to cloud, monolithic to microservices, scheduled releases to continuous deployment. Her leadership philosophy centres on helping teams embrace change through empathy, transparency about benefits, and creating psychological safety where concerns can be openly discussed.
Perhaps most inspiring is Jelena’s commitment to creating opportunities for others with non-traditional backgrounds. The rotational program she helped establish at Viator proves that enthusiasm and aptitude can trump formal credentials, bringing diverse perspectives that enrich the entire organisation. As she looks toward AI-enhanced futures, her optimism about technology augmenting rather than replacing human work reflects the same adaptive mindset that has defined her career.
