Hey all! I’m Mandy, your new Community Engagement Program Manager here at Databricks, which means I get to do one of my favorite things: help people connect, collaborate, and feel like they belong somewhere on the internet.
I’ve been building communities for a while now, from early web forums to big enterprise platforms. Most recently, I was Head of Community for a kids AI startup, and before that I led community and product programs at Atlassian. I also have a background in technical program management, which means I’ve spent many hours herding cats while juggling flaming backlogs🔥.
At Databricks, I’m here with my partner @Sujitha and our moderators @Advika and @Rishabh_Tiwari to help grow a community that reflects the brilliance of our users. I want this space to be your home base for sharing insights, asking questions, showing off cool projects, or bragging about your latest certification. We can't wait to collaborate with you!
But enough about the work stuff! Let’s get to the fun bits...
I live on 88 acres of mossy forest near Mt. Rainier halfway between Portland and Seattle in a tiny town called Morton (pop. 1200 and home to the legendary Logger’s Jubilee, where people compete in woodcutting tricks that appear to be/are incredibly dangerous). I share this forest with my husband, four cats, three dogs, and the occasional bear, mountain lion, coyote and bobcat. My two grown stepkids, who are delightful humans, visit often, mostly to be fed.
When I’m not working, I’m likely mushroom hunting, painting (oil and watercolor), knitting, growing all the vegetables, or hosting over-the-top dinner parties where I make way too much food. I also enjoy inventing new recipes, so if I invite you over be prepared to keep an open mind!
Don’t be a stranger. Say hi. Tell me what you want to see more of. Or just drop a mushroom emoji so I know you're one of my fellow forest people. 🍄
