Agility on the soccer field and at work

The Slickdeals “Bring It Home” series showcases a team member each month during our company-wide town hall meeting. This month, we spoke with Kelsey Hilliard, Agile Project Manager, who just recently hit her one year anniversary at Slickdeals.?

Can you tell us how long have you been at Slickdeals and what your title is?

I joined almost a year ago; last week was my one year anniversary. I started the week of Big Zoom, so that was fun. I’m an Agile Project Manager supporting three of our development teams including Wallaby, Puffolution and Brave Mountain.

I see you play soccer with the Slickdeals folks, do you have fun?

Always! I love playing with that group of people, they’re a blast. Myles or Matt (two Slickdeals team members) probably give me the most competition so I always hope that at least one of them is on my team.?

I’m curious to know, what brought you to Slickdeals, how did you hear about the company?

Through a weird connection; my sister knows Rob Cox (Senior Engineering Manager at Slickdeals) from a previous role. As I was looking around, I knew that there was something open because she had heard about it and Rob just raved about how amazing this place is. So I gave it a whirl and I think I just barely swooped in under the wire in terms of timing because I think they were interviewing other folks. I’m happy I made it.

Can you tell us about your background? What did you do before you came to Slickdeals?

Yes, I’ve been in project management for a while at a variety of companies. Prior to Slickdeals, I was doing this for a casino gaming company here in Vegas. Before that I lived in Seattle; I was there at a nonprofit, I was doing consulting for Microsoft and I was at Boeing as well. It was a variety of different industries, but manufacturing tracking throughout it all.?

We see that you worked at a nonprofit cancer center analyzing data?

I worked at a company called Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.

The group I was in analyzed clinical data coming in from clinical trials researching HIV vaccines and prevention. It was amazing, it was challenging, but it all felt like you were actually doing something to help, to make things better, and to contribute. I really loved it and I loved the challenge that it brought. There were just so many amazing people there who were incredibly smart so it was a joy to be around.

Did you like Seattle, did you like the weather?

No…I miss Seattle and I miss the food there.?

Oh right, the coffee there!

I don’t drink coffee. I’ve been reprimanded by a few people on my team for this.?

But I definitely don’t miss the weather. I love living in Vegas where there is sun all the time.

We know you have a dog, what is your dog’s name?

Her name is Indiana Bones. Everyone on my team has heard her bark at least once. She’s very cute, but also very crazy. I call her a tiny velociraptor.?

Now that you’ve hit your one year, are we going to see her at the office?

No, she is not as well-trained as Mac or Zoe or any of the other really good dogs that come to the office, so I think she would be kicked out very quickly. She’s cute though, so she’s got that going for her.?

What are some personal goals at Slickdeals and how can we help?

I’m here to learn. I’m learning as much as I can. I’ve been here a year and it feels like I still have so much to learn.

I’m working with three of the different Dev pods, and I love my teams; I love helping them out however I can. I’m also trying to expand my knowledge and get a better understanding of Slickdeals Development as a whole and how I can help assist there.

The people I get to work with are very smart so they are the real heroes. I just continue to learn from them every day.?

We love having you here, good luck on the soccer field, don’t let them take you for granted, I know you have some really great soccer moves.?

And Kelsey’s the only woman on the team.?

If any SlickChicks (Slickdeals Employee Resource Group) want to join me, I would love to see you out there.?

Sidebar in Zoom chat: “I played after big Zoom and I think I couldn’t walk for three days after.”

Thanks for taking the time to chat with us for the "Bring It Home" chat!?

Our "Bring It Home" chat is hosted by our People team. Read more about them and our Slickdeals culture here: https://www.builtinla.com/2022/03/28/slickdeals-company-culture-celebrates-winning-together