Tonya Makowski has over 15 years experience in web (back when web pages were static!) and database development. She actually enjoys organizing workflows and normalizing data. She splits her time between the roles of database developer and diversity engineer.
Tonya believes that in the spirit of “be the change” it is her calling to positively influence the tech industry. She has helped expand and improve Beezwax’s efforts toward diversity and inclusion in recruiting. Her role as the diversity engineer efforts have brought Beezwax into the Lesbians Who Tech, Women Who Code, Tech Ladies and Trans Tech communities. She volunteers with Techtonica, a tech training bootcamp for women and non-binary adults.
Tonya is also active in the disability and chronic illness communities advocating for accessible spaces and improved patient care. She created ChronicAlly, a chronic illness tracking solution in FileMaker (free for iOS), to bring the power of data into patients’ hands by tracking practitioner, diagnostic, treatment, and symptom data. In her spare time, she loves to explore the world with her son, Landon, doing science experiments, being silly and appreciating the beauty of nature.