Christine Shaw
VP of Engineering, Six Feet Up
📍Louisville, KY, USA
Pledge 1% is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year. What can companies do (or do more of) to have a positive social impact in the next 10 years?
Early in my career, during the .com boom, I often felt like just another cog in the machine — writing code without a clear sense of purpose. I wanted more. That changed when I took on a project for a hospice organization. My code wasn’t just about improving efficiency; it helped caregivers provide better support to patients and their families. That moment reshaped my perspective: even if I’m not on the front lines, I can build the tools that empower those who are.
At Six Feet Up, we carry that mindset forward. We partner with organizations tackling climate change, advancing healthcare, and making data more accessible — helping them scale their impact through technology. The real power of innovation isn’t in the lines of code we write, but in how those solutions are used to create positive change.
Companies have an opportunity to do more. Beyond donating time, talent, or profits, we need to take a step back and ask: Are we building responsibly? Are we creating technology that uplifts, rather than exploits? Are we empowering those solving the world’s biggest challenges?
If more companies took that approach — thoughtfully designing for impact — we wouldn’t just be advancing technology. We’d be shaping a future where innovation serves a greater good.
What’s the legacy you hope to leave for future generations?
I want to be remembered as someone who made it easier for others to do the work they were meant to do. Whether through the systems I’ve built or the teams I’ve led, my goal has always been to remove blockers, create better processes, and give people the freedom to excel in their expertise. If I’ve done that well, then I’ve made a lasting impact.
For me, leadership isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about fostering an environment where others feel trusted, empowered, and supported enough to find the answers themselves. If my team looks back and remembers me as someone who had their backs, cleared the path, and helped them grow, then I know I’ve left the right kind of legacy.
If you could choose one word to define your leadership style, what would it be and why?
Trusting. Trust is the foundation of how I lead. I believe in my team — not just in their skills, but in their ability to take ownership, solve problems, and deliver great work. I don’t micromanage because I don’t have to; I give them the space to thrive, knowing they’ll rise to the challenge. And when they do need me? I’m right there beside them, clearing roadblocks and making sure they have what they need to succeed.
Great teams aren’t built on control — they’re built on confidence, autonomy, and support. That’s the kind of culture I work to foster every day.
Great teams aren’t built on control — they’re built on confidence, autonomy, and support.
That’s the kind of culture I work to foster every day.
If you could give one piece of advice to the next generation of women leaders, what would it be?
Believe in yourself — even when the world tells you not to. I spent years struggling with self-doubt. I went to an engineering school where they made it painfully clear that women weren’t exactly welcome. But I found my place, and you will too. Don’t let anyone make you feel like you don’t belong. You do.
Tech has changed a lot since then, but the challenges haven’t disappeared. There are still moments when you’ll feel like you don’t belong. Ignore them. Keep going. Find the people who do believe in you, and surround yourself with them. You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room to be a leader. You just have to keep showing up.
Looking ahead, what are you most excited about—whether in your professional journey or personal life?
Professionally, I’m excited about growth — both mine and my team’s. At Six Feet Up, we’ve built a solid foundation with strong systems and a great team culture. We’re ready to scale, whether that means doubling, tripling, or tackling new, complex challenges. Knowing we have the right people and processes in place to grow without losing what makes us great — that’s an exciting place to be.
Personally, I’m looking forward to creating more art. My studio is my retreat, a space where there are no deadlines, no pressure — just the freedom to experiment. I combine watercolor and calligraphy, often drawing inspiration from nature. Whether anyone ever sees my work or not doesn’t matter. It’s something I do for me.
At the end of the day, it’s about balance — investing in my team, building meaningful solutions, and making space for creativity and joy.
