Lorena Mireles is an influential force in the BEAM community, known for her work as an Elixir developer and as a dedicated member of the Code BEAM America programme committee. She’s been instrumental in fostering connections and shaping discussions that help drive the future of Elixir.

In this interview, Lorena opens up about her journey with Elixir, her role on the committee, and what makes the BEAM community so unique.

What first drew you to Elixir, and what keeps you hooked?

The community was, without a doubt, the first reason I became interested in Elixir. I had no prior knowledge of Elixir the first time I attended a conference, but I felt very comfortable at the talks. The explanations were clear and interesting, which motivated me to investigate the programming language further.

Also, everyone was very kind and willing to share their knowledge. Over time, I discovered the advantages of this programming language for designing powerful systems. I’m still amazed at how easy it is to create projects with complex technical requirements, all thanks to the way Elixir and BEAM were created, and all the material available to learn about them.

How did you get involved with the Code BEAM America committee, and what’s that experience been like?

I joined the committee at the invitation of the organisers, and I’m very grateful, as I’ve been a part of it for three consecutive editions, and I continue to learn and be surprised each time.

My work focuses primarily on promoting women’s participation at the conference and supporting the diversity program, which has allowed me to meet great women and learn about their projects and experiences. Overall, it’s a great opportunity to get to know the speakers a little better and get involved in the BEAM community.

I also learn about new topics, as seeing the talks they submit also motivates me to explore them.

What were your standout moments from this year’s Code BEAM America? 

 I’ll start with my favourite- reconnecting with the BEAM community. I admire so many people and their work, so Code BEAM America was a great experience to learn more about it. I also loved seeing the new speakers and first-time attendees. I chatted with some of them, and they loved the experience. It was great to get their feedback.

The keynotes were also some of my favourites. Machine Learning and AI were discussed, which seemed very appropriate given the current relevance of these topics. There were also a couple of talks focused on social aspects, which are always necessary to foster continuous improvement in teams.

What excites you most about the future of the BEAM community?

All the projects that will likely be happening this year. At this year’s Code BEAM, I met new speakers and saw new attendees, which means the knowledge continues to expand and the community grows, and that also means new projects and more material about Elixir and BEAM in general.

I’m excited to think about all the new things we’ll see and how we continue to encourage new people to participate because, without a doubt, Elixir is a programming language worth learning.

Final thoughts

Lorena’s experience with Elixir and her role in the BEAM community shows just how powerful collaboration and innovation can be in shaping the ecosystem. Beyond that, her Women in BEAM survey and Women in Elixir webinar are amazing resources she’s put together to foster more inclusivity in the community.