#TeamAlegeus wants to learn more about you. Tell us a bit about yourself and your role here at Alegeus.
Hi, my name is Javidan Mammadov! 
Originally from Azerbaijan, I moved to the United States to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at UMass Boston. I began my career journey with Alegeus as an intern in 2023 and transitioned to a full-time role by September of that year. Currently, I serve as a Data Associate on the Corporate BI and Data team, where I specialize in converting complex data into valuable insights that propel our business initiatives forward.
What initially attracted you to Alegeus and more importantly, what keeps you coming back for more?
What drew me to Alegeus was the environment of challenge and collaboration. I believe work should be engaging and enjoyable, and at Alegeus, I can immerse myself in my passion for problem-solving. It’s not just the intellectual challenges that excite me; the supportive and inspiring people I work with turn even the toughest obstacles into rewarding achievements. Additionally, the satisfaction of making a tangible impact, like creating a dashboard that saves my peers time and effort, adds a sense of fulfillment. The combination of these challenges, teamwork, and meaningful outcomes makes each day at Alegeus uniquely rewarding for me.
Humble brags welcome. How have you made a meaningful impact in your role as Data Associate?
I stopped humble bragging back in high school, but if you insist! 
One of the projects I am super proud of from my time as an intern was my role in the Corporate Data Warehouse initiative. I had to quickly adapt to working with large databases to effectively contribute to the team’s efforts as we prepared for the release. It was a major endeavor last summer, and I’m proud to say we successfully completed it. A special thanks to the team for their outstanding support; our manager even acknowledged our hard work with a thoughtful gift. This experience not only honed my skills but also highlighted the crucial role of teamwork in achieving success.
Your career at Alegeus started in our internship program. What was the most valuable aspect of your internship experience here and how did it contribute to your professional growth and development?
The real game changer during my internship was working closely with Mark Viola, Senior Manager Business Intelligence. Mark wasn’t just a manager; he was a mentor who dedicated time to get me up to speed, quickly integrating me into tasks like handling Freshdesk tickets and generating ad-hoc reports. His investment in my learning was invaluable, and it wasn’t just him—the entire team was outstanding, patiently answering all my questions then and continuing to do so now. This support accelerated my development and made me feel like a key part of the team from the start. I also had the pleasure of working with an incredible group of interns throughout the summer. Overall, this experience greatly advanced my professional growth in the field.
What do you believe sets Alegeus apart in terms of its culture and approach to innovation?
At Alegeus, mistakes and experimenting with new ideas is embraced. Despite being a sizable company, we are still growing, and a growth mindset is crucial to our culture. Leadership strongly encourages innovation, and this openness is deeply embedded in our work environment. As an intern, I felt empowered to explore new approaches without hesitation. This supportive atmosphere fosters a vibrant culture and inspires us to push our limits in meaningful and impactful ways.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I had to choose eat one food for the rest of my life, it would be dolma, hands down! 
It is a staple classic dish from my home country, Azerbaijan, so cherished that it was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists in 2017. There are many versions of dolma, but my favorite version is stuffed vine leaves. Picture this: a savory filling of minced meat, finely chopped onions, tender rice, peas, and a blend of spices, all neatly wrapped in vine leaves. Whether they are fresh or lightly blanched, those leaves hold the delicious treasure inside. It is enjoyed on special occasions and gatherings and expresses solidarity, respect and hospitality.
What is your favorite book and what makes it so special to you?
My favorite book, also the first non-fiction book that I ever read, was “How to Win Friends & Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. I read it almost 10 years ago, and it made a lasting impact. This book taught me to put my ego on the back burner, become a better listener, and a more thoughtful friend. What makes this book special to me is how it transcends its own title. Yes, it’s about influencing people, but more profoundly, it’s about creating and valuing human connections. It helped me foster relationships that I cherish to this day. It guided me to a way of living that made every interaction meaningful.