From building reliable systems behind the scenes to helping bring our new office space to life, Chris Goodbread approaches IT with a service-first mindset.
In this installment of our Employee Spotlight Series, you’ll learn more about Chris’s journey and perspective on creating dependable, people-centered technology at ID.me. Chris’s story is one of many we are highlighting to recognize the talented team members who help build and maintain our market-leading secure digital identity network.
At ID.me, our mission is to make the world a more trusted place by delivering the highest level of security with the least amount of friction at the lowest possible cost. To accomplish this mission, we are hiring great people who want to make great products. Learn more about our results-driven culture and top-of-market compensation and benefits.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you came into your current role at ID.me.
I’ve always believed that great IT work is invisible when it’s working well. My focus has been on building systems and resources that empower others so they don’t have to worry about the technology behind their work. When things are steady and reliable, people can focus on what actually moves the company forward.
I enjoy working at the intersection of service and systems. My background in customer-facing technical support shaped how I approach IT, with hospitality in mind. Technology should feel supportive, not intimidating. Some of the best improvements I’ve been part of started as passing hallway conversations or quick stops at a whiteboard. There’s an energy in solving problems shoulder-to-shoulder that is hard to replicate. Showing up consistently builds trust, and when you’re present, you hear the small things before they become larger ones.
That mindset carried into helping bring our new office space to life. It was a large, highly visible effort that required coordination across multiple teams and a lot of behind-the-scenes problem solving. Seeing the space come together and watching people settle in without disruption was incredibly rewarding. I’m proud of the work that went into making it ready and excited to see it filled with collaboration, conversation, and momentum.
What motivates you in your work?
What motivates me most is solving the right problem — not just the technical one, but the human one. When we remove friction for someone else, we give them back time and focus. That’s meaningful work.
As we continue evolving as an organization, including our focus on AI and automation, I see new tools the same way I approach most technology. They are force multipliers. Clear thinking and strong processes still matter. The tools simply help us move faster and make better decisions.
What is the best career advice you’ve received?
A mentor once shared the phrase “chop wood, carry water.” The idea stuck with me because it speaks to persistence. Meaningful impact often comes from doing the ordinary things well and doing them consistently. Sometimes the most useful thing you can do is make sure the basics are handled so everyone else can move forward comfortably.
And when something isn’t working, it’s okay to return to it, rethink it, and start again. Progress is rarely dramatic, but it builds over time.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work, when I’m not spending time with my family, you can usually find me tinkering with creative tech projects. I’m naturally curious about how systems can be improved, whether that’s infrastructure, workflows, or storytelling. That curiosity tends to follow me everywhere.
We’re thankful for Chris’s dedication, steady leadership, and service-oriented approach to technology. At ID.me, we’re proud to have team members like Chris who help create the reliable foundation that allows our mission to move forward every day.
Stay tuned for the next feature in the ID.me Employee Spotlight Series, where we’ll spotlight another key member of our team. If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of working at ID.me or applying for open roles, visit ID.me Careers.
