Disney Lam honours her father’s legacy by encouraging the next generation of female software engineers
Disney Lam’s (BMath ’14) father supported her love of technology from a young age, giving her tasks like setting up computer networks in the family’s home. He inspired her to build a successful career in software engineering, creating technical systems to drive business outcomes at tech giants like Google and NVIDIA.
Disney Lam (BMath ’14)
Director, AI infrastructure engineering
But in 2022, Lam found herself working desperately to establish a remote connection to a hospital room 3,000 miles away so she could see her father one last time before he died.
“I thought, ‘This is the last time I'll do tech support for my dad and it’s to send him on his way. It feels so strange. It's like life has come full circle.”
Two years later, that circle looped around again.
Lam established the Tung Lam Women in Computer Science Scholarship to honour her father, whose support, business acumen and kindness shaped her life and career. This endowed award provides $5,000 each to two female-identifying students in Waterloo computer science programs where women are underrepresented.
“I’m hoping to meet the scholarship recipients, these up-and-coming women, and be part of their journey too.”
— Disney Lam (BMath ’14)
Although she’s made a name for herself in computer science, Lam began her studies at Waterloo in the Math and Business Double Degree program.
“I was always interested in computer science courses, but back then I didn't really think of computer science as something I could major in,” she said.
That changed when Lam entered the co-op program, where she explored a variety of roles and industries.
“I realized that even though I was a business student, I was really good in tech. I started writing code to automate manual processes during my co-op terms. Then, I wanted to learn how to build systems that would automate the writing of that code.”
Lam took a computer networking course during one of her co-op work terms. She did so well that she switched her major to computer science in her third year.
For a while, Lam thought she might pursue a research career. However, after a year as a PhD candidate at Princeton University, she returned to industry, drawn by the opportunity to directly impact how companies are run.
Starting as a junior software engineer, her career path included stints at Google, Facebook (now Meta) and Cruise, taking on roles of increasing scope and responsibility. Lam currently works at NVIDIA, a company that makes graphics processors and is helping drive the AI revolution.
At Facebook, Lam met software engineer and Waterloo alum Rico Mariani (BMath ’88). He became an ally and mentor, helping her navigate and thrive in a male-dominated industry.
Mariani told her, “It doesn’t matter what software you write. It’s all about the people.” That statement, echoing her father’s consideration for others, resonated with Lam.
“I believe that technology is what changes the world,” she said. “I like being able to influence business decisions and drive outcomes through the systems that I build. But the part of my job that I enjoy the most is coaching my team and working with them daily.”
It’s that personal connection Lam hopes she’ll be able to foster through the scholarships she’s created. She’s not satisfied with merely providing financial support. She hopes to mentor other women — just as Mariani and her father did.
“I think in tech you sometimes lose the human element,” she said. “I want to understand what people want to do in their careers and where they want to grow. I’m hoping to meet the scholarship recipients, these up-and-coming women, and be part of their journey too.”
