4 Lessons from My 4 Years at Meta

Today marks my 4-year anniversary at Meta — a period long enough to earn a degree, and rich enough to learn much more. To celebrate this milestone, I’m reflecting on the four most valuable lessons I’ve gathered.

Embrace ambiguity?

When I joined Meta as the Image Quality DRI for Ray-Ban Stories, I was stepping into uncharted territory. We were building Meta’s first generation of Smart Glasses, defining a product category that didn’t quite exist yet. Questions flooded in: What should be the camera’s key user scenarios? How do we optimize image quality within the constraints of battery life and processing power?

My experience at Apple and Qualcomm had taught me to handle technical complexity and uncertainty with grace. But Meta’s challenges were different—they required me to navigate ambiguity. By leaning into the discomfort, I began to see these challenges as a series of experiments. Together with a talented team, we launched Ray-Ban Stories in 2021, which won the Red Dot Design Best of the Best award. Building on that success, we integrated Meta AI and Livestream features into the 2nd generation, pushing the boundaries of camera experience. In 2023, we achieved even bigger success with the launch of Ray-Ban Meta, redefining Smart Glasses as an industry leader.

Lesson 1:?

• Like scientific discovery, building zero-to-one products involves forming hypotheses, experimenting, and iterating.?
• Uncertainty nurtures discovery. Ambiguity is a resource. Instead of predicting the future, we can build it by imagining possibilities that don’t exist yet.?

Be a cartographer

In 2021, I moved from an IC to a manager role, leading image quality design across all AR/VR product lines. Instantly, the complexity, uncertainty, and ambiguity I faced amplified from one product line to four lines, and I needed to quickly scale my learning system.?

I developed a multi-scale learning system, learning new topics at different depths based on prioritization. By proactively mapping out the product and technology landscape, I identified new opportunities, particularly in MR Passthrough development. Collaborating with feature and UX teams, we built a systematic Passthrough evaluation framework, connecting tech spec to user experience.?

Lesson 2:?

• Like cartography, quickly capture the complexities of the terrain and distill those into simple representations.
• Build a multi-scale learning system. Zoom out for the big picture; zoom in for more texture.?

Be a connector

In 2023, I took a tech lead role, overseeing a diverse portfolio of imaging algorithms. My responsibilities grew from ensuring product delivery to shaping long-term roadmaps. In addition to media quality, I must think at a broader scope on how algorithms improve camera experiences.?

Our biggest challenge is connecting dots across teams and disciplines. I noticed a gap between product definition and technical exploration. To bridge it, I co-organized a Camera Algorithm Roadmap Summit, bringing together over 400 participants from Product, Engineering, and Research. This event fostered collaboration, creating cross-functional alignment and a cohesive vision.

Lesson 3:

• Create a compelling picture of the future that people want to create together. Invent new ways to turn vision into reality.
• Be a connector who bridges worlds and creates opportunities for partners.??

Be a multiplier?

Working at Meta has been an ongoing lesson in the power of community. I’m constantly amazed by the talent intensity around me and often ponder how we can help each other grow.??

As a manager, I noticed that several of my team members were introverted, and their styles sometimes limited the perception of their impact. So, I made conscious efforts to create speaking opportunities, share resources, and coach them on amplifying their voices through writing. One team member later shared that I was the best manager he’d had in 25+ years—a reminder that small actions can make a big impact.

Meta’s culture encouraged me to share my story, too. In 2022, I spoke at the Women In Engineering Annual Event, discussing how to cultivate a "Beginner’s Mind." Earlier this year, I wrote about the resilience of women in my family, and the essay was selected for Meta’s 2024 APIStories event. Meta ’s commitment to DEI creates spaces where stories like mine—and those of my team—can be shared and celebrated.

Lesson 4

• Be a multiplier who brings out and extends the intelligence of the team.?
• Help others find their voice, and create systems where everyone can shine. Your success is amplified when you lift others up.

As I reflect on these four years, I’m grateful for the partners, mentors, and challenges that have shaped my journey. Moving forward, I’ll keep striving to be a cartographer, connector, and multiplier—exploring the unknown and building the future with incredible teams.