Master’s of Science in Information Systems
2011
I completed a Master’s Degree in a single year: 2011. This was a very new degree at the time. There were only two degrees like it in the country at the time. I took both Business classes and Computer Science classes. The technical skills I learned were focused on how to build a data base, how to write code (Java), how to write an API, Network Security, and I improved my understanding of CSS/HTML. I learned about project management and got certified. I also got a Network+ and Security+ certification at the time. Despite not perusing the career, my favorite class was IT Forensics. We got to do some real investigatory work and it felt like a puzzle.
CPO Accelerator
2021
In 2021 I was accepted to be among ProdUx’s first co-horts to participate in Melissa Perri’s “CPO Accelerator” program. In my opinion, her book “Escaping the Build Trap”, is the best book about the realities of Product Management. There are plenty of great books capturing ideal scenarios, but Melissa’s was the first to address very familiar circumstances and guide the reader on how to navigate more common less ideal scenarios that Product Managers are faced with every day.
SVPG
2021 & 2024
In 2021, I was able to bring SVPG in to train my (100 person)Product Organization at Western Governor’s University. Over a series of days, Chris Jones (author of “Empowered”) lead us through both the “Inspired” and the “Empowered” workshops. In 2024, I was able to attend an early-release Transformation workshop with Marty Cagan before the book was published.
Both of these trainings resonated beautifully with my existing approach and beliefs about Product Management.
Cooper Professional Education
2012
Ahead of it’s time and sometimes called Cooper University®, the UX design firm started by Alan Cooper, used to do these wonderful crash courses in various aspects of UX. I attended two separate week-long workshops: User Research Design & Interaction Design. I took the User Research Workshop shortly after leaving graduate school and it was my first exposure to these techniques. I remember bouncing with delight at learning so much so fast~ it was the moment I knew that I had found the thing that my brain was good at.
This is the first persona I ever worked on.
Bachelor’s Degree in Biology & Psychology
1995-2000
I studied Evolutionary Biology at Northland College, leveraging both the Biology and Psychology courses at the school to develop a custom area of focus. I studied how the mind and body informed each other’s evolution.
Northland is a school that focuses on experiential, outdoor learning. It focuses on Environmental sciences and values. I learned how to lead trips and later used that experience as an assistant professor for Thomas Aquinas college on a semester long trip in Montana.
I also played volleyball for this tiny Division III school. I won several Regional and team awards over my 3 years playing.
