Shawn Choleva joined ID.me three years ago as a senior frontend engineer. Shawn is now the tech lead for the Channels team, where he works to help ID.me offer additional avenues for members to save money through discounts and cash-back on purchases. As a veteran, Shawn takes great pride in knowing his work at ID.me supports members of the military community who use ID.me to access the benefits they have earned.
In this installment of our ID.me Employee Spotlight Series, Shawn discusses his favorite aspects of working at ID.me, the best career advice he has received, and his passion for empowering his team. Shawn’s dedication to supporting the military community and enhancing identity security makes him a valuable asset to our team.
ID.me’s 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. We are hiring great people who want to make great products with us as we achieve this mission. Learn more about our results-driven culture and top-of-market compensation and benefits.
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What do you enjoy most about working at ID.me?
What I enjoy most about working at ID.me is the rewarding experience of being part of a team that makes a real difference. Having been with the company for almost three years, and as a veteran, I take great pride in knowing that our work supports the military and all members by enhancing identity security and helping save money. Additionally, being surrounded by colleagues who are true experts in their fields makes every day an opportunity to learn and grow.
What is the best career advice you have ever received?
The advice I was given was, “lead a team so well you can’t tell who the leader is,” which resonated deeply with me. In software development, success often hinges on collaboration, creativity, and the collective expertise of team members. When a leader empowers their team to excel autonomously, it creates an environment where everyone feels ownership and responsibility for the team’s goals and outcomes. This approach fosters a mutual respect and trust culture, where each team member’s contributions are valued equally. By blending into the team rather than standing out as the sole authority figure, a leader encourages open communication, diverse perspectives, and innovative problem solving.
Tell us about your team and your current role?
I am the tech lead for the Channels team within our company’s market vertical. Our primary focus is to offer additional avenues for our members to save money through discounts and cash-back on store purchases. One of our current key initiatives involves developing a Chrome browser extension aimed at enhancing user experience and accessibility to these savings opportunities. In my role, I collaborate closely with engineers, leadership, and product teams to steer our projects forward, ensuring alignment with our strategic goals and technical feasibility. Beyond technical oversight, I am dedicated to mentoring our engineers, fostering their growth, and ensuring our team remains innovative and adaptive in delivering value to our members.
How do you envision the team growing over the next 1-3 years?
Looking ahead over the next 1-3 years, I envision significant growth and evolution for our Channels team. We’re focused on expanding not only the scope but also the impact of our work within the company. Our primary goal remains to enhance our members’ savings capabilities, and we plan to achieve this through continuous enhancements to our Chrome browser extension and exploring opportunities to expand onto new devices and platforms. As tech lead, I see us bolstering our engineering capabilities by potentially scaling up our team size to take on ambitious new projects and initiatives. This growth isn’t just about numbers; it’s about deepening our expertise, fostering innovation, and ultimately delivering even greater value to our users and stakeholders alike.
Which is your favorite ID.me value and why?
My favorite company value is “inspire people with your passion,” because it hits home. It’s all about how passion can drive us to do our best work and bring out the best in others. When we’re fired up about what we do, it’s contagious. It sparks creativity, collaboration, and a sense of purpose in everything we tackle.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside work, I enjoy various activities that keep me engaged and relaxed. I love fishing with friends or cruising on a boat down the rivers and lakes. I’m also an avid video game player, which is a great way to unwind. Spending time with my son and teaching him sports is incredibly rewarding. Socializing with friends and family is important to me, but I always find time to nerd out on anything tech related.
What is your favorite leadership principle and why?
“Empowerment and trust” is my favorite leadership principle because it fosters a sense of ownership and accountability among team members, which leads to higher engagement and motivation. By giving individuals the autonomy to make decisions and encouraging their creativity, we not only enhance their professional growth but also drive innovation within the team. Trusting team members to lead their projects builds confidence and cultivates a collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and respected. This principle leads to a more dynamic, productive, and harmonious team, where each member is inspired to contribute their best work.
What impact does your work have for ID.me members?
Our work on the Channels team directly impacts ID.me members by providing tangible opportunities to save money and enhance their overall experience. Through our Chrome browser extension and other initiatives, we aim to make accessing discounts and cash-back offers seamless and rewarding. By continually refining and expanding these savings avenues, we empower our members to make smarter financial decisions and maximize their purchasing power. Our efforts not only enhance member satisfaction and loyalty but also strengthen ID.me’s position as a trusted provider of value-added services in the market.
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At ID.me, we are grateful for Shawn’s leadership on the Channels team and his critical contributions to helping millions of ID.me members access discounts and other perks. We are excited to see all that Shawn and his team achieve as they work to develop and enhance our Chrome browser extension and explore opportunities to expand to new platforms.
Want to join our team? Visit ID.me Careers if you are interested in learning more about the benefits of working at ID.me or applying for open roles.
