Angela Bates:
Thank you so much for that warm welcome. It’s such a privilege to be here at DevRelCon. I’ve attended many DevRelCon events in the past, but this is my first time speaking on stage. It feels a little nostalgic to be here at this venue. Before joining Discover Financial Services, I worked at IBM for 27 years, where we held IBM Code meetups in this very space until 2019. I have so many fond memories of working with developers here to help them learn and grow.
Today, I’ll be discussing my experiences from the past six months as part of Discover Financial Services, focusing on internal Developer Relations (DevRel) in a highly regulated industry. What stands out most to me in this role is the universal need for DevRel. In today’s world, every company needs Developer Relations, regardless of industry. That’s a message I’m excited to share with you all.
Let’s start by setting the stage with a familiar idea: 'Software is eating the world.' This phrase, coined by Marc Andreessen in 2011, has proven profoundly accurate. Over the years, we’ve seen countless businesses disrupted by tech-driven companies like Amazon, Netflix, Airbnb, and Uber. The role of software as the ultimate disruptor—and enabler of business success—has only solidified. For over two decades, software has been the decisive factor in whether businesses thrive or fail.
Developers are the linchpins of this transformation. They hold the power to reshape industries and drive innovation. If you’re in a tech-centric organisation, like Discover, you’ll know that software coordinates everything: complex payment networks, trillions of daily transactions, customer loyalty, financial management, and even decision-making for leadership. For industrial businesses—automotive manufacturing, for example—software manages production lines, marketing, inventory, and distribution.
Here’s a fundamental truth: If 95% of your operations are driven by software, then your business is a software business. As software becomes more accessible through technologies like cloud computing and artificial intelligence, this reality will only deepen.
This makes developers indispensable. They’re not just building technology; they’re building the future of your business. As competition for developer talent intensifies, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to attract and retain the best. Yet, this is essential to creating the products and services that delight customers and ensure business success.
About Discover Financial Services
Before diving into our initiatives, let me tell you a bit about Discover Financial Services.
Discover began in 1986 as a credit card company serving North America. Today, it’s one of the most recognised financial services brands in the U.S., with offerings that now include digital banking, student loans, home loans, current and savings accounts, and more. We also operate major payments networks like Discover Global Network, Pulse (a leading U.S. ATM and debit network), and Diners Club International.
Discover employs over 8,000 software developers globally. These engineers work in small, agile teams on projects that make a meaningful impact on our customers’ lives—whether it’s helping someone secure a student loan, buy their first home, or manage their finances for a brighter future.
Developer Relations at Discover
At Discover, Developer Relations plays a pivotal role in our digital transformation strategy. I’ll outline three major initiatives that we’ve implemented to place developers at the core of our business:
- Discover Technology Academy (DTA):
The DTA is our crown jewel for internal developer enablement. We support over 60 internal technical communities, helping developers connect, share knowledge, and grow. This includes organising cross-functional events, curating over 400 learning paths, and enabling employees to create internal blogs, videos, and other content.
Additionally, we provide resources for product owners and agile leaders to collaborate with engineers on building better products. The DTA is delivered in physical, virtual, and hybrid formats, ensuring accessibility for all.
- Discover External Eminence Program:
This program spotlights the incredible talent within our organisation, enabling our developers to share their expertise at conferences like this one. Through mentorship and workshops, we help employees refine their public speaking and presentation skills, empowering them to become ambassadors for Discover’s engineering culture.
- Discover Technology Experience (DTE):
This external-facing platform showcases blogs, best practices, and insights from our engineers. It serves as a window into our engineering practices, fostering transparency and collaboration with the broader tech community.
Balancing Freedom and Responsibility
A key theme in our work is balancing the freedom developers need to innovate with the responsibility required to maintain compliance and security. In a regulated industry, this balance is non-negotiable. Our engineers operate within well-defined processes, guided by guilds that establish best practices for compliance. This ensures that while innovation flourishes, we uphold rigorous standards to protect our customers and meet regulatory requirements.
Closing Reflections
Reflecting on my transition from IBM to Discover, I’ve noticed a significant shift in focus. At IBM, our Developer Relations efforts aimed to engage external audiences and promote our products. At Discover, the emphasis is on internal enablement: creating a culture where developers feel valued, supported, and integral to the business’s success.
This inward focus is becoming more common across industries. As businesses increasingly recognise the strategic importance of developers, I predict a growing trend in internal DevRel roles, focused on attracting, retaining, and empowering top talent.
Thank you for your time today, and I hope you found these insights valuable."
[Applause by DevRelCon audience]
This webcast was recorded, produced and published by devrelcon.
