ELC South Bay / Silicon Valley Meetup - Lead with clarity and confidence in the age of AI

AI isn't just changing how we build software — it's reshaping how we lead teams. From the tools we use day-to-day to the expectations placed on our engineers, the pace of transformation is unlike anything we've navigated before. This will be a peer-led, interactive session focused on one core question: how do we lead with clarity and confidence in the age of AI?Come ready to share what's working, what's not, and what you're still figuring out.

Agenda

1. 6:00–6:30 — Networking & informal conversations
2. 6:30 — Kickoff & overview
3. 6:30–6:45 — Topic selection & voting
4. 6:45–7:15 — Roundtable #1
5. 7:15–7:45 — Roundtable #2 (rotate tables)
6. 7:45–8:00 — Closing reflections & wrap-up

How it works: Each roundtable is a small-group discussion

1. Quick intros (name, role, + 1 challenge on your mind)
2. Align on a topic as a group
3. Dive into real examples + lessons learned
4. Wrap with 1–2 key takeaways

Example themes (only if helpful)

1. Leading your team through AI-driven transformation
2. AI tools that are actually making you a better manager
3. Redefining engineer roles & expectations in an AI-first world
4. Vibe coding vs. engineering rigor — where do you draw the line?
5. Keeping team morale & identity strong when AI changes the job
6. How to evaluate, adopt, and govern AI tools on your team
7. Communicating AI strategy upward — translating vision to execs

Goal:

Candid discussion, real experiences, practical takeaways. Looking forward to seeing everyone in Mountain View!

Hosts

1. Bill Lin — Manager, Software Engineering, DoorDash
2. James Tyack — Senior Engineering Manager, Coursera
3. Tony Leung — Senior Director of Engineering, Bill.com