ENGINEER. FOUNDER. MAKER.
Hi, I'm Wouter.
I build things.
A Dutchie at home in New Orleans, LA. I build software, teams, and the systems behind them. I like making complicated things a little simpler—and building tools that are a pleasure to use.
WHAT I'M WORKING ON CTO & Co-founder at Confida AI that helps people get from contract to agreement.Also the tech guy at Chewbacchus .
BUILT FOR WORK & PLAY
A few things I've made.
Mac apps, Mardi Gras, and a little neighborhood magic.
Davit
Apple's container platform, with a proper Mac app around it. Less wrangling, more building.
Don't Miss
Meeting reminders that actually get your attention. For when you're a little too deep in the work.
Vogon Poetry Transceiver
ESP32 gadgets that send and receive Vogon poetry over the air. Built in Rust and handed out as Chewbacchus parade throws.
Chewbacchus Trading Cards
Trading cards celebrating the SubKrewes and characters of Chewbacchus. A hundred packs, printed to give away at the parade.
Krewe of Arthur Dent
My own Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy-themed SubKrewe of Chewbacchus. A little cosmic absurdity, a lot of community.
NOLA Treat Map
A neighborhood map for Halloween in New Orleans. Find trick-or-treat stops, or put your own house on the map to welcome the candy hunters.
WRITING
How I think about work.
Six personal essays on building teams, making trade-offs, and getting things done. Best read in order.
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My Philosophy on Delivery: The 'Why' Behind Engineering
Balancing timeliness, quality, and sustainability—and creating the environment for all three.
Read the piece -
How to Work With Me
Autonomy, direct communication, honest feedback, and trust. A guide to my working style.
Read the piece -
The Most Powerful Question: "What Are We Optimizing For?"
Making trade-offs explicit—and being just as deliberate about their downsides.
Read the piece -
The Parallel Trap: Why 'Busyness' Isn't Delivery
Why working on everything at once slows delivery, and how teams can finish more by starting less.
Read the piece -
Hiring for Potential: An Investment in Growth
Curiosity and self-awareness matter more than a perfect match for today's skills.
Read the piece -
The PM Trap: Process as a Primitive, Not a Prison
Give people useful building blocks, not a process that gets in their way.
Read the piece
AROUND THE INTERNET