Leo Thesen - Solutions Architect
I am a solutions architect working with digital startups based in web and native applications. Coming from a background in electro-mechanical engineering, I pivoted into the software world due to a life long interest in coding. I began to lead teams early on in my career. Continuing to develop my leadership skills has led me to co-managing the MOHARA South African hub of over 50 employees. My skillset is comprised of technical skills in modern software development, with a speciality in designing simple, robust and evolutionary architectures. And accompanied by strong emotional intelligence which allows me to create and grow high-performing teams.
Work Experience
Solutions Architect
MOHARA, South Africa | 2019 - Now
- Co-managing director of MOHARA South Africa
- Leading out the Solution Design function within MOHARA
- Technical lead on multiple projects
- Client management
I have progressed at MOHARA from Junior Engineer to Solutions Architect and co-manager of the South African hub; with over 50 employees. I have been involved in the business and technical strategy of the company, partaking in leadership traction meetings and sitting on “engineering steering” which oversees the engineering function as a whole.
I have honed both my leadership and technical skills and have led many of the most critical projects - usually in fintech. I thrive in a team environment, with some of my best work being mentoring and teaching other engineers.
Technical lead
ekko, South Africa | 2022 - 2024
- Designed several new products
- Individual contributions to the codebases
- Interfacing with founders
- Team leadership
I took over technical leadership of ekko after they had released their initial application, the customer facing eco-banking application. I led planning and development of new features on that codebase, as well as maintenance of the codebase. The team size ranged from 2 to 13 engineers.
ekko launched several new products, mostly B2B API based applications, that I also designed and led the development on.
ekko has recently raised $2.5M.
Technical lead
Kikapay, South Africa | 2020 - 2022
- Designed architecture
- Individual contributions to the codebases
- Interfacing with founders
- Team leadership
I led Kikapay through the full project lifecycle from initiation to closure: designing the initial architecture, development, new feature design development, monitoring and maintenance. I led a team ranging from 3 to 12 engineers.
Kikapay was an early adopter of the Open Banking specification and we developed applications that were not yet available to the world. It was a fast paced environment with much uncertainty around user’s needs.
Certifications and awards
Golden Key International Honours Society
2016
”Golden Key is the world's largest collegiate honor society. Membership into the Society is by invitation only and applies to the top 15% of college and university sophomores, juniors and seniors, as well as top-performing graduate students in all fields of study, based solely on their academic achievements. As an international honor society with more than 400 chapters at colleges and universities around the world, Golden Key is committed to a high standard of scholastic achievement, and an ethos of integrity, innovation, respect, collaboration and diversity.”
Class Medal for Computer Programming in Matlab - University of Cape Town
2016
”Received the top mark in the class (97%)”
Dean's Merit List - University of Cape Town
2013 - 2016
”The Dean's Merit List, which is published annually, contains the names of students whose academic performance over the year is meritorious and hence worthy of recognition.”
Paul van Niekerk award - Oakhill School
”This is the most prestigious award at Oakhill. It goes to a learner who generally and for a length of time has represented all that Oakhill stands for”
Education
Bachelor of Science in Engineering - BSc (Eng)
University of Cape Town | 2013 - 2016
University of Cape Town description of Electro-mechanical Engineering:
In today's computerised world, industry welcomes our graduates who understand both the mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines and can design, build, control, and maintain a wide range of engineering products and processes. Examples of these include: motor-cars and aeroplanes (where computers control the engines and ensure that the engines are working efficiently); production machine tools such as automated lathes and milling machines; artificial hearts, and many other products used in the world of medicine; robots that are increasingly used in industry and medicine; even the humble washing machine which is now computer controlled.
Electro-Mechanical Engineering entails the study of mathematics, physics, chemistry, materials, basic electrical engineering, basic mechanical engineering, and the integration of these in carefully structured design courses.
Awards:
Golden Key Honors Society Member 2016, Top Student: MAM2082F Programming in MATLAB, Dean's Merit List 2013-2016
School
Oakhill School | 2001 - 2012
Grade 81% average
Awards:
• Paul van Niekerk award – “this is the most prestigious award at Oakhill. It goes to a learner who generally and for a length of time has represented all that Oakhill stands for.”
• Head of House 2012