When a passionate learner becomes a leader, it tends to be beneficial for everyone they lead.
Management roles in most corporate environments are divided into two categorical responsibilities: people management and the business function of the role itself. For Ashley VanderWel, senior director of engineering at The Farmer’s Dog, her function in the business includes oversight of the performance and improvement of the company’s software — which helps customers plan and order nutritious meals for their dogs. Philosophically, however, VanderWel believes that leaders are responsible for cultivating a culture of learning for team members.
“My role isn’t just about ensuring the scalability and performance of our software,” said VanderWel. “It’s about creating an environment and culture where my engineers and managers have the space and support to innovate and grow.”
Aside from investing time into the career development of team members, a learning-focused leadership style has additional benefits related to decision-making and overall team stability. According to reporting from Gallup, leaders with high scores in the “Learner” category of the Clifton Strengths Assessment are more prepared for inevitable challenges where solutions are not immediately available, and leaders who are excited by “not knowing” can enhance transparency and create more room for direct reports to pitch their own ideas.
Built In NYC spoke with VanderWel about her role at The Farmer’s Dog and the leadership philosophy that defines her management style.
The Farmer’s Dog is a pet health and nutrition company that delivers healthy food options for pet owners.
Tell us about your role. What does your day-to-day look like, and what are the biggest priorities you’re focused on addressing?
As the senior director of engineering at The Farmer’s Dog, I focus on empowering engineering leaders to build strong teams and thrive as independent decision-makers. No two days look the same, but you’ll often find me balancing strategic planning, collaborating across teams, offering mentorship and providing technical direction to keep our product vision sharp and our execution on point. I’m dedicated to fostering a culture of transparency, trust and accountability where ownership is encouraged and my teams feel confident being bold, taking initiative and driving results.
Right now, I’m focused on scaling our processes to keep pace with our fast growth, nurturing future engineering leaders and anticipating customer needs with innovative solutions. My priority is helping my team not just succeed but excel while ensuring that the company is set up for long-term success.
What has your career journey looked like so far?
My career has been built around a relentless drive for growth — both for myself and for the teams I lead. I blend deep technical expertise with a passion for leadership development, which I credit to my background as a competitive collegiate athlete. My career began as a software development engineer at Amazon, but I was always drawn to roles where I could impact more than just the code — I wanted to shape the teams behind it. Over the years, I’ve gained a deep understanding of scaling both technology and teams across a variety of business and technical environments.
A core part of my journey has been focused on building autonomous teams, cultivating a culture of ownership and seeking continuous innovation. Joining The Farmer’s Dog has been an exciting opportunity to further accelerate my career and contribute to an organization that’s making a real difference for both people and their dogs. My experiences have given me the tools to seamlessly bridge the gap between technical execution and strategic vision, ensuring that our engineering decisions aren’t just innovative — they’re sustainable, scalable and aligned with the company’s long-term goals.
“A core part of my journey has been focused on building autonomous teams, cultivating a culture of ownership and seeking continuous innovation.”
What are you most excited to accomplish with your team over the next year?
Looking ahead, I’m excited to help my team continue taking bold steps in scaling our technology and processes in ways that keep up with the rapid growth of our business and empower each individual on the team to elevate their performance. I’m especially focused on developing the next generation of engineering leaders, helping them grow into strategic thinkers who can contribute to our broader company vision.
Over the next year, I can’t wait to see our engineering team tackle complex challenges, deliver innovative solutions and collaborate even more closely with other parts of the business. Ultimately, I’m committed to building a culture where innovation thrives, trust is foundational and accountability is a given. And, of course, helping more dogs live long, happy and healthy lives!
