Celebrating Shari Carlson: A True Commons Hero!

We are thrilled to announce the first-ever Commons Hero, Shari Carlson ! WOOOO! Wait, before I dive right into this, let’s take a step back...

First off, what’s the Commons?

The Salesforce.org Commons Program brings the community together to identify, prioritize, and build solutions that make using Salesforce technology easier for nonprofits and schools. We bring the community together at “Community Sprints” (these events are kinda like hackathons!) to collaborate with like-minded organizations to build solutions to address everyday challenges.

Now, what’s a Commons Hero?

At the latest Community Sprint in NYC (April 26, 2024), we introduced a new recognition: a “Commons Hero” awarded to Shari Carlson . CONGRATS, SHARI! This is a new way we are recognizing those who consistently give back to our Commons Community. Shari Carlson has been participating in the Commons program for YEARS, was a co-leader of the original Commons project Outbound Funds, and currently leads and participates on numerous active projects. Shari is a mentor, a leader, and consistently goes above and beyond to support our community. She continues to proactively contribute to building solutions that address challenges our nonprofit community faces. YOU’RE AMAZING, SHARI! Thank you for all you do!

Let’s take a look at our new Commons’ Hero responses to how and why she participates in the community. Responses from Shari Carlson:

How do you participate in the Commons Community?

“I have co-led the Declarative Lookup Rollup Summaries (DLRS) commons team since 2022. Before that, I co-led the Outbound Funds community team (starting in 2019) and I was part of the team since the inception and creation of the app in 2017. I also currently contribute to the Membership and Nonprofit Cloud Best Practices teams. I love leading a team, but it is also fantastic to be on a team where I can simply write documentation or contribute my project and app experience without leading.”

Why is sprinting/the Commons important to you? What motivates you to contribute?

“Sprinting/the Commons is important to me because of the community of people I have met and collaborated with as a part of the program. It provides a place to connect with others in a unique way - by working and creating with people who share the same commitment to mission-based organizations.

Also being able to provide something useful and supportive to the nonprofit world is important to me especially because the needs of the community are at the center of anything that is worked on at a sprint or in the commons. It’s not about revenue or recognition - it is about what is best for the organizations in the community and the ideas come from the community.

I am also motivated by what sprinting has given me - a place to grow and learn about leading and collaboration and a connection to a group of people who I respect and enjoy. And I want to share that experience with others and that motivates me to lead teams and invite others to join. The Commons and Sprinting is a uniquely open, accepting environment where ideas are shared and actual progress is made."

Is there one moment that stands out about your time in the community?

“There are so many! I haven’t laughed harder than playing mini-golf in San Francisco or felt more proud than when we demoed the first version of Outbound Funds, but also there are small moments like the conversations you have while working - like learning Australian slang while creating some of the most helpful documentation DLRS has ever had and realizing how similar the SF and nonprofit community is across the globe or when a member of the data gen team came over and helped with general Apex questions during the Chicago sprint - just because they had the knowledge and could. I could name hundreds of moments where the community created something better because we did it together.

Sprinting for me is about several tiny moments that create the magic of sprinting, where what a group of people can accomplish together is so much greater and fuller than what they can accomplish on their own. It is always about the bigger goal and the wider community.

To go back to the beginning - I remember when Marc Baizman ?? spoke to me as I hovered near the door unsure if I belonged. I’ve never spoken to him again, but he is the reason I stepped into the room for the first sprint. Also, that first sprint I remember after the idea generation exercise when 6 of us gathered and I realized that it wasn’t just me that cared deeply about creating a grantmaking solution in Salesforce. Then, over the next 2 days, we passionately and respectively debated with each other and created Outbound Funds. Until that day, I had never experienced a team of people working together in such a productive, collaborative way. My experience at that first spirit and with the OFM team is what I try to bring to every sprint and every group I lead. I have a million other stories - but I will stop now.“

A heartfelt thank you to Shari Carlson, our inaugural Commons Hero, for your invaluable contributions and dedication to our community!

As we celebrate Shari Carlson's exceptional commitment, we're delighted to share that the Commons Hero Award will become a quarterly tradition. We will continue to honor those in our community who demonstrate extraordinary dedication and drive.

Stay tuned for upcoming nominations and join us in honoring the incredible individuals who are the backbone of the Commons Program.

Who will be the next Commons Hero? It could be you...!

- The Commons Team (Lizzy, Cori O'Brien , Kristiane Kindle )

Want to learn more?

• Browse the Commons Program overview
• Stay in the loop and see upcoming Commons Events (Sprints, networking Breakfasts, etc): Commons & Sprint Events group in the Trailblazer Community