A strong community can promote new ideas and ensure accountability. It can also act as motivation, support, and even provide a little friendly competition. The power of community is undeniable and the Okanagan tech community is no exception.
Our community is strong and growing with record speed and maintaining connection through a period of growth like this can be a challenge. Nobody panic, we’ve got a plan.
Introducing, The Faces of #OKGNtech. A showcase of Okanagan tech entrepreneurs, partners, supporters, and cheerleaders designed to fuel more connection, more growth, and more excitement. Follow along (on the blog and on Instagram @OKGNtech) to learn more about our growing community and what makes them awesome.
Meet Jackie. Jackie Goode is the People & Culture Manager at Data Nerds. When Jackie isn’t managing the needs of the Data Nerds team, you’ll find her working out at the YMCA or volunteering for a local charity called All Are Family Outreach. And on weekend you’ll find her with her daughter and husband picknicking, paddle boarding, or exploring the Okanagan. We recently caught up with Jackie to learn more about who inspires her and what she loves about OKGNtech.
What do you enjoy about working at Data Nerds?
“Data Nerds is unlike any other place I have ever worked before. It has a unique and dynamic culture which is really cool, and it sounds cliche but we work hard, and we play hard too. Our aim is to make Data Nerds the best place our employees have ever worked.”
“Before starting at Data Nerds, I was looking for a really big change, and I was being really picky about the jobs I was applying for. I wanted to work for an organization with a message and culture that I could get behind. When I saw the job listing for People & Culture Manager everything just kind of lined up. I’ve been here now for eight months, and I love it”
What do you love about OKGNtech?
“I really like that Kelowna is widely known across the country as a tech hub. We recently hired a junior software engineer, and he moved here from Edmonton for just that reasons. There are just so many tech opportunities here.”
“I previously worked at a software company, but working for Data Nerds has been my first real step into OKGNtech and it has been really neat to see this whole other world in Kelowna. In my interview with them, I asked why they weren’t located in the Landmark buildings because that’s what I associated tech with. I was kind of blind to the industry before and now that I am in it I’ve realised that tech is everywhere.”
Do you have a piece of advice you could share?
“Looking back to when I got out of high school, I was like “10 years from now I am going to have a really solid plan as to where I am going to be” and that’s not always the case. It’s a good life lesson to know, you can change things as you decide what you like and find out where you shine and that’s okay!”
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
“I was an elephant owner for a day in Thailand, years ago. It was in an elephant sanctuary, and we got to ride our elephants, clean them, feed them, and swim with them. That was definitely one of the highlights of my life.”
Who inspires you?
“There are two kinds of avenues that stick out when I think of inspiration. First, those who have the most difficult jobs on the planet, saving lives. I have the utmost respect for those people because I could never do those jobs and they are so important. And then secondly, those who have overcome extreme difficulties in life. Whether it’s overcoming poverty or losing a loved one at a young age, those are tough things to go through in life, and it’s amazing when people come out of those situations better and stronger than they were before.”
What is one word you would use to describe yourself and why?
“Can I use two? I would describe myself as super organized. When you have a lot happening you really have to keep things organized or things will fall through the cracks. I still have a physical paper planner, like a little one I keep in my purse, my husband laughs at me, but he still gets me one every year for Christmas.”
Connect with Jackie. Learn more about Data Nerds. Hungry for more? Meet Thuy.
Have you seen the rest of the OKGNtech faces? Follow us on Instagram.
