# Gretchen Ward

> Staff Software Engineer

Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Profile: https://flows.cv/gretchen

Frontend Engineer focusing on building wonderful experiences using JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, HTML, and API's. I love merging my design background with programming to problem solve and build efficient scalable projects.

## Work Experience
### Staff Frontend Engineer @ Weave
Jan 2024 – Present

### Principal Frontend Engineer @ Protenus
Jan 2024 – Jan 2024

### Staff Software Engineer @ Protenus
Jan 2022 – Jan 2024
Partner with Design and Product to deliver features that were integral to customer workflows.
Led technical direction specifically on the frontend including refactoring the frontend stack to follow engineering best practices using the latest ES standards ranging from refactoring app architecture, adding type safety, and improving state management tooling to removing deprecated tools and reducing toil with automating tasks.
Taught the ‘why’ behind these decisions by explaining the ideology and technical aspects via peer review and pair programming to more junior engineers.

### Senior Frontend Engineer @ PBS
Jan 2020 – Jan 2022
Built PBS KIDS and PBS General Audience video streaming apps for smart TV
platforms.

Modernized codebase by upgrading to React and implemented best practices by introducing type safety with TypeScript.

Prioritized performance by lazy loading components, optimizing images, strategically using animations, and cutting down on expensive code.

Worked with design team to implement rebrand design work to general audience app. 

Launched both OTT streaming app product on the Vizio platform which included significant performance upgrades in app launch and video playback performance.  

Integrated unit testing into application codebase.

### Senior Web Developer @ ISL (iStrategyLabs)
Jan 2019 – Jan 2020
Worked across the stack to build Alexa Skills, develop utterances and intents with 
DialogFlow for Washington Capitols based queries. 

Built dynamic web and SMS chat assistant for the city of San Jose.

Built generative pattern API to create controlled and random patterns using generative code principles and server-side rendering.  

Led team learning initiatives by creating a mini curriculum and projects centered around Typescript.

### Front End Developer @ agencyQ
Jan 2017 – Jan 2019 | Washington D.C. Metro Area
Integral in developing a relationship with and securing contract for work with NIH.

Consult NCBI, NLM, NIH leadership on best practices and web standards, created a design system, style guide, component library for the organization. 

Developed front-end components using plain JavaScript focusing on reusability, scalability, and flexibility.

### Front End Developer @ Z, INC.
Jan 2016 – Jan 2017
Designed and developed UI components and large scale web apps using large and complex data sets.

Planned app architecture working across the stack using PHP and Oracle SQL. 

Refactored large scale CSS and JavaScript for major applications and pages.

### Web/Graphic Designer and Front End Developer @ The American Society of Landscape Architects
Jan 2013 – Jan 2016
Prioritized performance implementing async code, faster load times, and optimized assets.
 
Transitioned the codebase to Github and introduced version control to projects.	

Implemented a mobile-first design strategy at the organization.

### Volunteer @ The Greater Chicago Food Depository
Jan 2010 – Jan 2012 | Chicago IL
Packed meals for Chicago families.


## Education
### BFA in Visual Communication and Printmedia
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Jan 2008 – Jan 2012

### Resident Advisor


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/gretchen-ward-90645346
- Website: http://www.gretchenward.com

---
Source: https://flows.cv/gretchen
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/gretchen/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-03-22