About Me
Hello! In 2019 I made the jump from sailboat building to a digital skillset and healthier lifestyle. In 2023 I’m upskilling again, leaning into proactive work with more opportunity to flex my analytical and dev chops. I’m incredibly fond of working with people from around the world and all walks of life. I thrive on learning the goals of others and finding ways to get them there. Digital work is a lot like building sailboats - we pull lines out of thin air and make them real with any tool available, many improvised or built specifically for the task.
I bring practical experience and knowledge in;
- GraphQL and REST API
- Some SQL and Python, node.js, React (stoked to grow in these ELI5)
- HTML, CSS, Liquid, YAML, Markdown, TLDR
- Mode, Splunk, Datadog, Zendesk, Slack, Okta, TIL
- Netlify, Git (Lab and Hub), Digital Ocean, AWS, NTA
- Have worked fully remote since 2019
- Linux, Winblows 3.1, MacOS, ChromeOS, Android, Potato
I bring well-traveled wisdom and values from;
- Freelance writing and static web design
- Sailboat custom build and repair
- Tiny-home construction
- Pretty darn good busker/musician
- Managed several meditation center kitchens
- Permaculture farming
- Teaching ESL abroad
Shopify Partner Support Specialist
Permanent Full-time
Third-Party Dev Support
Feb 2022 - present
My current lead will say;
- I routinely crush output metrics and QA scores and my Impact is high!
- I learn specialized tools without much guidance because I like them
- We support third-party app, theme, and front-end devs (also Merchants/end-users)
- We work with API deprecation cycles and product updates as they impact Partners
- We work adjacent to teams like Incident Response, Governance, API Support, App Review/Audit, Enterprise & Strategic
- I’m strong with tech issues and tricky human interactions
- I show up and advocate with intensity, honesty, patience and persistance
Shopify Core Support
Permanent Full-time
Support Advisor
Dec 2021 - Jan 2022
Moving up in this company;
- Embracing diversity and change
- Deep-dive issues and specialized tools
- Improvising is my jam
- Improving life for merchants and everyone else
- Flexing my creativity and values
Shopify JSA Program
Nine Month Gauntlet
Junior Support Advisor
Feb - Nov 2021
My former lead will say;
- I’m self-aware and empathetic
- I question process a lot and enjoy doing it
- I show up for my team and connect 1-on-1 with courage and honesty
- I reflect deeply on my work, growth, energy levels and opportunities
- I keep my values up front and find meaning in my work
- I manage my time and projects well
- I make mistakes! And own them!
Trades Experience
Boat Building
Self-employed/contract/freelance
2009 - present
- 3 year apprenticeship under catamaran designer Richard Woods
- 9 years contracting, custom fabrication and repair all over western Canada and beyond
- Build and refit sailboats, yachts, work boats, research vessels
- Hire crews as needed, deal with all aspects of business
Volunteering
Vipassana Meditation Centers - Canada & US
Kitchen Co-ordinator/Manager
2005 - 2015 (intermittent)
- Train and manage up to 20 new volunteers in 12 day rotations
- Food and supply orders
- Maintain FoodSafe protocols and practices
- Routine maintenance and repairs
- Cook amazing food for starving meditators!
AYNI Peru
ESL Teacher/Care Aide
2002 - 2003
- Daily lesson planning for grades 2 - 5
- Work with staff and clients of inpatient care home
- Distribute donations and organize international channels for same
A Little More About Me
I spend my downtime surfing, picking wild edibles, playing chess, and MTB’ing the beautiful trails and hotsprings of the Kootenays with my dog. I’m passionate about reading, healthy living, the environment, and social issues. I’m a tangent learner and I love growth-oriented challenges. I have a certificate in Mental Health First-Aid as well as Crisis Intervention, I’ve hitchhiked most of North-America, I’ve done stand-up comedy, and I love writing elevator pitches!