Maria (Liz) Balvanera

Associate Software Developer

I have always identified myself as a versatile, multi-disciplinary individual. Throughout the last few years, as I progressed through college, I found myself increasingly disoriented when contemplating my place in the workforce. The options for our future, classically advertised to students, seemed insubstantial and hyper-focused. I strived to work for a place that appreciated diversity and established outside-of the-box challenges. I believe I found it. Michaels does not only allow for integrative development, but it also accepts our common responsibility for an environmentally friendly future. We love that.

Liz joined the Michaels team in June 2023, for a Co-Op position through fall of that year. In December 2023, she moved into the Associate Software Developer role. She graduated the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities in May of 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics and a minor in History.

Liz has a background in engineering and computer science, as well as a wide physical knowledge ranging from thermodynamics to quantum mechanics. She hopes to pursue a master’s degree in Optics in the future, to aid in shaping the technology that helps us and the earth every day. She hopes that energy efficiency, decarbonization, and sustainability continue to be key values in the development of her career.

Hobbies that Liz usually partakes in are cooking, indoor cycling, reading, eating ethnic foods, and walking around. She enjoys the outdoors especially during the early fall!