$150 / month
2 calls per month (60min/call)
Unlimited Q&A via chat
Expect responses in 2 days
Starts with a free 7-day trial – less commitment than a paid call, cancel anytime.
$150 / month
2 calls per month (60min/call)
Unlimited Q&A via chat
Expect responses in 2 days
$150 / month
2 calls per month (60min/call)
Unlimited Q&A via chat
Expect responses in 2 days
$150 / month
Start free, decide later
I'm a Senior Engineering Manager at Honeycomb, where I lead the App Observability team. Over the past decade, I've built and led engineering teams at companies ranging from pre-seed to Series D, including Zapier, MainStreet, and Endgame, and spent nearly six years as a software engineer and engineering director at Formidable (now NearForm Commerce), shipping projects for clients like Starbucks, Nintendo, and 538.
I've managed through reorgs, layoffs, rapid scaling, and the messy in-between parts of startup engineering leadership that nobody writes blog posts about. I've also gone deep on integrating AI into my own management workflows, from building custom tooling for planning and inbox processing to using AI for meeting prep, team updates, and prioritization. It's the thing I get asked about most.
I work best with engineering managers and senior ICs who are in the middle of something hard. Maybe you just made the jump from IC to manager and the job feels nothing like what you expected. Maybe you're managing through a reorg or layoff and trying to keep your team steady while everything shifts underneath you. Maybe you're a solid manager who wants to actually use AI in your day-to-day instead of just reading about it.
Here's what I bring: practical, specific advice grounded in things I've actually done, not frameworks I read about. I'll share what's worked for me (and what hasn't), help you think through real situations you're navigating, and push you to build systems that stick instead of ones that fall apart in two weeks. I'm direct, I ask a lot of questions, and I care more about what's actually useful to you than what sounds good on paper.
If any of that resonates, send me a message and tell me what you're working through. We'll start with an intro call to make sure we're a good fit, and go from there.
5 out of 5 stars
I sought mentorship from Emma while working through a sensitive career situation. I needed someone who could help me think clearly and explain a difficult recent work experience in a professional, credible way. Emma was thoughtful, helpful, and grounding from the start. Her experience as a manager really showed in how she helped me look at the situation from different angles, not just how I felt about it, but how a hiring manager or founder would see it too. That perspective helped me understand what mattered, what didn’t, and how to talk about the situation clearly. Working with Emma felt personal. She didn’t give generic advice. She listened closely, asked smart questions, and helped me work through real challenges, including how to frame my experience, and prepare for conversations with leadership. I especially appreciated that her guidance was both empathetic and realistic. She understood the human side of the situation while helping me stay professional, strategic, and grounded. The mentorship made a real difference for me. I felt calmer, more prepared, and much more confident about how to move forward. Emma helped me separate emotion from strategy, communicate more clearly, and take the next steps in my career with more confidence. I’d highly recommend Emma to anyone looking for career coaching, interview prep, or support through a nuanced professional transition. Her background as a manager gives her advice a practical insight that’s hard to find.
Standard Plan • 1 month
Mentees who work with a mentor for 3+ months reach their goals 2x faster than those going it alone. Long-term mentorship means fewer false starts, more focused sessions, and support that builds week after week.
97% satisfaction across all mentors
Personalized feedback and growth plans
Trusted by thousands of mentees
Emma Brillhart
Sr. Engineering Manager at Honeycomb.io
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Book a free intro call with Emma
Connect with Emma in a quick call (usually under 30 minutes)
One-off sessions with Emma
One-off sessions are a great option if you're looking for specific advice on a certain topic.
An introductory call is a simple way to get to know a mentor before committing to ongoing mentorship. This session gives you the chance to …
Your resume often decides whether you get the interview or get overlooked. This MentorCruise session is designed to help you strengthen your resume so it …
Whatever doesn't fit the mold: Get 30 minutes with a mentor to discuss your needs. Be it help with some code, discussing through an issue …
What's included in the trial?
Every trial is a little different–here's what Emma says about their trial:
We'll meet for a 20-minute call where we:
- Break the ice and introduce ourselves
- Discuss your goals and how I can support you
- Coordinate logistics like time zones, meeting frequency, and communication methods
