Vera Lakmaker

I design, build, and ship AI-powered products that explore how LLMs, RAG pipelines, and user-centered design can create more intuitive digital experiences. This self-driven portfolio combines product strategy, UX, and infrastructure to solve real-world friction points in learning, storytelling, job search, and content curation. 🔹 MythosQuest: A GenAI-powered roleplay engine blending history, narrative structure, and user interaction. Built with FastAPI, LLM streaming, and structured prompt UX. 🔹 XueCodex: A live RAG-driven knowledge platform using FAISS and LangChain for semantic search and contextual responses. 🔹 BittyNews: A summarization pipeline that curates and scores daily AI news using LLMs and heuristic filters. Focused on signal over noise. 🔹 BittyScout: An autonomous job discovery tool using LLM reasoning and scraping agents to surface relevant AI and product roles. 🔹 Spellweaver’s Grimoire: A live prompt playground that teaches LLM prompt patterns through structured experimentation and feedback. Each product has taught me how to translate abstract GenAI capabilities into usable, deployable systems. My work sits at the intersection of applied AI, product design, and fast delivery. I focus on building things that feel practical, usable, and imaginative. 💡 Always open to conversations on AI product strategy, language model UX, agent workflows, and creative applications of GenAI in storytelling, knowledge, or education.

As the Remote Work Champion at Unlock, a company that connects remote teams with extraordinary shared experiences led by world-class creators, I led the internal and external advocacy of remote work, designed team-building activities, supported and provided opportunities for the team to connect and prioritized listening to their needs to help them thrive. My diverse background allowed me to contribute to various aspects of the business, including marketing, research, internal operations, and product development. Key Responsibilities: • Advocated for remote work in various blogs and webinars, providing valuable insights and recommendations on remote strategy, company culture, and loneliness. •Spearheading the internal team times and providing opportunities to connect. (e.g. responsible for new activity design and activity planning). • Updated internal and customer documentation, ensuring that it is current and easily accessible to relevant stakeholders. •Planned and executed successful events, such as a company virtual Christmas party including logistics. • Wrote high-quality content for various platforms including blogs, social media and customer newsletters. • Conducting in-depth research on both product and marketing, providing valuable insights and recommendations to the team

At Gameye, a fully remote company, I played a critical role in fostering a high-performing and enjoyable work environment, as well as cultivating a strong remote work culture. With the challenges of building online connections, I took charge of creating opportunities for employees to connect with one another. Additionally, my technical expertise allowed me to manage and maintain Gameye's server infrastructure while implementing a successful procurement strategy. Key Responsibilities: •Planned, developed and executed a range of virtual events and activities to foster team bonding and collaboration, including gaming sessions, show-and-tells customer spotlights and founders’ meetings. •Developed and implemented an internal community management strategy to keep team members informed and engaged, including creating weekly newsletters and a knowledge base. •Maintained internal documentation to ensure it remained current and accurate, identifying missing documents, researching and updating KIs, and removing obsolete documentation. •Designed and executed personalized employee experience packages to enhance team members' satisfaction and engagement, including personalized gifts and memorable experiences. •Established and maintained an infrastructure database, developing and implementing a procurement strategy to ensure smooth and efficient operations. •Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders and server providers to ensure that Gameye's infrastructure was robust and reliable.

At Proxy Services B.V., a managed service provider specializing in Linux infrastructures based in Rotterdam, I served as a member of the ServiceDesk team. In this role, I provided first-line ICT support through telephone and email communication and took an active role in restructuring the knowledge base and developing internal documentation to ensure the accuracy and currency of critical information. Key Responsibilities: •Providing first-line ICT support through telephone and email communication, resolving first-line tickets, and monitoring progress. •Taking initiative to restructure the knowledge base and develop and maintain internal documentation. •Serving as a contact between suppliers and stakeholders. •Performing first- and second-line system administration tasks. •Organising board game evenings to promote team building and encourage employees to get to know each other through play.

Responsible for technical support the Bravis Employees with the everything related to the workplace. Activities ranged from installing new laptops, patching the network and answering user questions.

Responsible for technical support the Driestar Employees with the everything related to the workplace. Activities: • Installing new laptops and workplaces. • Application Management for BIS, a CRM and HRM management system. • User support • Knowledge Management

OGD is an ICT consultancy. I had the opportunity to work for 2 very interesting clients.