Life before Atlassian
I grew up in Florida, studied English, and came into technology through a less traditional route. Before software, my experience included healthcare, government, and blue-collar work. I brought an interest in words and people with me, then learned the technical side by asking questions and getting my hands dirty.
At my first software job, I volunteered to help configure Jira and Confluence. At the next, that experience made me the unofficial Atlassian administrator. Reading documentation, trying things, and asking for help became a way forward.
A journey to Australia
That path led to an offer from Atlassian—and a move to Sydney, Australia, with my family. An English degree and a willingness to figure things out had opened a door on the other side of the world.
Australia is a major chapter in my story. My career later took me to the San Francisco Bay Area, and I’ve written about the value of bringing an outside perspective into tech. You can read more in my essay about nontraditional paths into technology.
Stories beyond the day job
Creative writing gives me room to follow a thought wherever it goes. I’m interested in stories about identity, culture, and the lives people build between different worlds. Fiction, personal essays, and family stories all give me something different to explore.
I like the process as much as the finished piece: noticing something, collecting fragments, and finding the thread that makes them belong together. Some of those threads become blog posts. Others are still taking shape.
Finding the funny
I put a lot of work into creating, practicing, and delivering presentations, including finding the right moments for a joke. Getting laughs at tech conferences inspired me to try stand-up.
Now I’m exploring another side of storytelling: shaping a setup, refining a punchline, and practicing how to deliver it.
A little dirt under my nails
Gardening gives my curiosity somewhere else to go. I enjoy growing things, learning about plants, and working through the questions that come with keeping them healthy.
It’s satisfying to spend time on something you can watch change. There’s always another plant to learn about, another experiment to try, and another reason to get outside.
Football, soccer, and a reason to play
Sports have been part of my life since childhood. Football and soccer are the big ones: I enjoy watching them, talking about them, and getting out to play.
I’ve been to games around the world, including the World Cup, and spent years coaching my kids. Sports have given me a way to explore new places and share something I love with my family.
I’m always happy to talk sports—or hear about something new I should try.