Meet Shelly, the newest member of the GatherDC team! Shelly recently joined Gather as our Salesforce Manager (Mazel)! She loves data and community and is excited to bring those passions to work. Keep reading to find out more about our incredible new team member’s perfect day!
GatherDC: What brings you to the Gather team/what led you to this role?
Shelly: I have recently transitioned from the education field into the technology field. I have been working steadily with data-driven information technology for a while and wanted a place to use my skills with a cause that I could get behind. Gather fit perfectly! I love being able to support a group of amazing people whose purpose is to make connections happen for members of the Jewish community!
GatherDC:What’s something you’re excited for in your new role?
Shelly: I am really looking forward to making everything run smoothly for the team at Gather. I would rather the team members focus on meeting community members and making those relationships and connections rather than worry about the data entry hassles that may arise. I want to make everything painless while helping Gather make meaningful experiences based on the interests and needs of the community.
GatherDC: A little birdie told us you live in Florida! We’d love to know what your dream day is like in your hometown!
Shelly: My dream day would be waking up and getting some morning cuddles from my 7-year-old. Then my family and I would get ready for a fun-filled day at Universal Studios. It would be 75 degrees and have very few people at the park (because it’s my dream world). We would spend the day doing spells in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley Alley, riding along with The Cat in the Hat and helping the Men in Black defend the planet. My teenager and the little one would, of course, not fight or irritate each other along the way (haha if only). Then we would head home and play some Switch Sports or Splatoon.
GatherDC:What do you do to relax or for fun at the end of a long week?
Shelly: At the end of a long week, I enjoy spending time with what we call the “framily”. We are a group of close friends who love to get our families together for afternoons of kids playing, some adults playing board games, while other adults drink tea and talk.
GatherDC:What’s the one thing you can’t get through the day without?
Shelly: Coffee. It’s not only to wake me up (although that definitely helps) but also a comforting drink. [editor’s note: Love coffee? Get one on us!]
GatherDC:What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
Shelly: Since my husband’s family had people from different religious backgrounds and struggled to get together over the winter holidays, they made their own holiday. It’s called Thanksmas! Bartholomew the Penguin visits the night before Thanskmas to deliver gifts under the tree and fill the kids’ stockings. It’s now become a family tradition!
GatherDC: We heard you’re a pro-crafter. Can you tell us more about how you got into this hobby, and what you love to create?
I enjoy sewing bags of all shapes and sizes! I actually made the purse I carry around every day. The bag’s design usually has some fantasy material on them like my favorites: DC Universe, Marvel, and Harry Potter. I also enjoy using my Cricut to make shirts for my family and me.
GatherDC:If time and money were no object what would you be doing right now?
Shelly: I’d take my family on a trip to Japan to show my kids where my husband and I worked and lived for a bit! (I definitely need another trip ASAP).
GatherDC:What’s something about Jewish life/Judaism that you’re excited to learn more about?
Shelly: Everything! I can’t wait to learn all I can about the Jewish culture. There is such a rich history and so many unique aspects that I don’t even have a clue about yet.
GatherDC:Complete this sentence – When Jews of DC Gather…
Shelly: It is an amazing, fun, and meaningful experience!
