I moved around quite a bit growing up, having lived in a few different states and several different homes by the time I graduated from high school at seventeen. The opportunity to experience so many different environments, landscapes, and cultural influences gave me an appreciation for exploring and experiencing new things at an early age. I've lived in rural areas, small towns, and more urban environments, and grew up with exposure to livestock, wide-open spaces, and the outdoors. I think that variety helped shape my curiosity, adaptability, and interest in learning about the world around me.
I studied Programming at Westmoreland County Community College in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, completing coursework toward an Associate in Applied Science. My studies included programming languages and database technologies such as SQL, Visual Basic, and Java, providing a technical foundation that I was able to build upon throughout my career.
Much of my professional education, however, has come through hands-on experience, independent learning, and a willingness to explore new technologies and approaches. I've always enjoyed learning how things work, understanding the systems behind them, and finding opportunities to apply that knowledge to solve practical problems.
My professional background is a combination of technology, administration, database development, software implementation, training, and quality assurance. I've worked in a variety of environments, including three different state universities, manufacturing facilities, and nonprofit social service organizations. Throughout those experiences, I frequently found myself becoming the person colleagues turned to for help with technology, software, and troubleshooting. What began as an interest in helping people use their tools more effectively gradually evolved into database reporting, designing small databases to address organizational needs, and eventually working professionally in database administration and software implementation.
My experience in software implementations brought me to InterProse, where I've had the opportunity to continue expanding my technical and professional knowledge. Over time, my work has evolved into quality assurance and release management. Today, I focus on manual software testing, evaluating the impacts of application changes, coordinating release readiness, and leading and supporting a small team that includes a technical writer and QA analyst. Together, we support the documentation, testing, and release processes that help ensure our software is delivered with quality and consistency. It's a role that brings together many of the skills I've developed throughout my career: technical problem-solving, communication, process improvement, documentation, and collaboration.
I was initially drawn to InterProse because the opportunity aligned well with my experience in software implementation and my interest in helping organizations successfully adopt and use technology. I was looking for an opportunity where I could put my technical, problem-solving, and communication skills to work while continuing to learn and grow professionally.
Meeting the team and learning more about the company's culture during the interview process really solidified my interest. I was particularly drawn to the company's use of the Rockefeller Habits and its emphasis on organizational alignment, accountability, communication, and continuous improvement. It felt like an environment where people were invested in both the work they did and the success of the organization. I left that experience knowing it was a company I wanted to be part of.
Writing and photography are two of my favorite creative pursuits. I enjoy the opportunity to tell stories, capture interesting moments, and look at the world from different perspectives. I'm also someone who enjoys domestic and international travel, exploring the outdoors, and experiencing new places and environments.
My husband and I also enjoy being involved in our local community. We have volunteered in the county and believe it's important to support the economic vitality of the small community where we live. Whether through creative projects, travel, or community involvement, I enjoy opportunities to learn, contribute, and experience something new.
I believe my greatest contribution is bringing a broad perspective on how software changes affect the people who depend on our products, both the customers who use our software and the internal teams who support them. Quality assurance isn't simply about determining whether a feature works as intended or identifying defects. It's also about understanding the broader implications of a change, anticipating potential challenges, and considering how those changes affect workflows, communication, documentation, and ultimately the customer experience. I consistently try to look beyond the immediate functionality being tested to understand the upstream and downstream impacts of what we're delivering.
I also believe that sharing knowledge and identifying opportunities for improvement are important parts of that responsibility. I encourage those around me to keep learning, exploring new tools, and looking for ways to improve our processes. Ultimately, I want the work we do in QA and release management to help ensure that changes are not only technically sound, but thoughtfully delivered in a way that supports our teams and creates a better experience for our customers.