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We sat down with Lidana Taborda, Lead Automation QA Engineer based in Colombia. She shared her path from a curious child fascinated by experiments to a trusted engineering leader and mentor, highlighting her thoughts on teamwork, AI, and empowering women in technology.
Let’s start from the beginning. What did you dream of becoming as a child?
I wanted to be a scientist. I was constantly doing “experiments,” which mostly meant breaking things at home while trying to invent new ones. I was incredibly imaginative, and that curiosity never disappeared. I didn’t become a scientist, but the desire to investigate, improve, and explore the unknown is still a big part of who I am.
If you had become a scientist, what field would you have chosen?
Probably chemistry. I loved mixing everything I could find at home — sometimes even putting it on my skin. My parents weren’t exactly thrilled, but I just couldn’t stop experimenting. Looking back, that desire to discover something new every day says a lot about the way I work now.
How did that curiosity evolve into a career in engineering?
After that phase, I wanted to be an engineer who builds houses. I measured everything — tables, furniture, even my brothers. Eventually, I realized software engineering was the right path for me. I love mathematics, and I believe strong math skills help tremendously when it comes to problem-solving in engineering.
I studied software engineering at university in Colombia, earned a scholarship because of my grades, and started my career right after graduating.
Do you remember the first moment you realized you were good at solving problems?
Yes — when I was about five years old. My older brother was very cautious and afraid of trying new things. My way of helping him was…pushing him — sometimes literally — into new experiences. I just couldn’t stand seeing him hold himself back. Looking back, that was probably my first experience with problem-solving and helping others move forward.
That sounds a lot like mentorship. Is that something that comes naturally to you?
It does. Mentorship feels very natural to me, and it’s something I genuinely enjoy. Helping others grow and overcome challenges is deeply motivating.
Do you remember your first steps at Exadel?
I joined Exadel over three years ago. During my first client interview, I was honest about my skills. I was asked to migrate an automation framework from Java to JavaScript — even though I was new to JavaScript. I said I was eager to learn, and that honesty paid off. I continued training, applied my leadership and technical experience, and the results spoke for themselves. The client trusted me, and that relationship grew stronger over time.
What’s something people often misunderstand about working with QA engineers?
Many people think QAs are there to annoy developers by finding bugs. That’s not true. I care deeply about software quality, and QA is a team effort. We’re not “QA versus developers” — we’re one team working toward the same goal: delivering a great product. That mindset changes how teams collaborate, and it makes a huge difference.
Do you enjoy the result more, or the process?
Definitely the process. Results take time, and if you don’t enjoy the journey, it’s easy to get frustrated. During the process, we learn, help others, and grow — not just professionally, but as people.
What goals do you still want to achieve — inside or outside of work?
Outside of Exadel, I’m very active in the QA community. I enjoy sharing knowledge, giving talks, and helping others learn about new technologies — like AI tools such as GitHub Copilot. At work, I mentor several people as a resource manager, helping them grow, define goals, and overcome challenges. Being helpful matters more to me than simply being “the best.”
What’s your attitude toward AI in tech?
AI is great for increasing productivity and speeding up tasks. What concerns me is when people rely on it too much. We risk losing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and that’s dangerous. AI can hallucinate, and it can be wrong — we can’t depend on it blindly.
Have you faced gender stereotypes in your career?
Yes, unfortunately. Society still pushes girls toward caretaking roles instead of logical or technical ones. That’s deeply unfair. I strongly believe women are just as capable in tech, and I encourage girls to explore it whenever I can. I even give logic toys as gifts instead of dolls. Small things matter.
What do you think helps women strengthen their position in tech?
Confidence and courage. Women in tech have come a long way, and we’re doing amazing work. We need to stop being afraid of societal expectations and use our talent to innovate and create. Ada Lovelace is a perfect reminder of how impactful women have always been in this field.
If your career were a movie, what would the title be?
How to Train Your Dragon. I relate a lot to Hiccup — thinking differently, experimenting, adjusting, and using whatever resources are available to make things work.
