Here at Walker Tracker, we offer services that encourage and empower organizations to build wellness into their cultures and communities. As we’ve grown, we’ve been fortunate to add talented professionals like Sam Skurdahl, one of the newest members of our Dev team.
As our Product Manager, Sam focuses on all things UI (user interface), and in a short time she’s already been our low-key MVP!
If variety is the spice of life, Sam Skurdahl has had a flavorful journey. Sam was born in Portland, but moved to the Lone Star State as a child because her father worked in the oil and gas industry. Sam spent her middle childhood and early teenage years in an environment quite different to the one she was born in. “Houston is very different from Portland. One year, it was hot on Christmas day, so we actually went swimming, and that was very different for my family. We learned about barbecue and Tex-Mex. We’d also go to the alligator park and jump over alligators. I am definitely more of an Oregon girl but it was cool to have experienced life in the South.”
The family returned to Portland, where Sam attended and graduated high school. She then attended college in upstate New York. After obtaining a degree in Business and English, she began her professional career in the Big Apple. During successful stints in marketing, operations, and customer service roles, she found herself working closely with Devs. “After starting in marketing, I didn’t really know that I would end up really technical. As I got my feet wet in my career, I was drawn to that technical side. My favorite part is being able to talk to a client, hear their ideas, understand the scenario, build it, and actually see it have an impact.”
After coming across a posting for a Product Manager position at Walker Tracker, Sam had an opportunity to enhance her skills, make her way back to Portland, and improve the lives of others. “What was really important to me was finding a company whose mission I believed in. When I read about Walker Tracker, I really believed in the work that they were doing. It had an impact on making things better for people.”
Sam is a valued, integral part of our Dev team. Her addition to Walker Tracker has been mutually beneficial. “I can say that this is the best job I’ve ever had. I really believe in the work we’re doing and it’s clear the rest of the team does as well.”
We had a chance to ask Sam about some of her goals, dreams, and favorite activities. Here is what she had to say:
What is the last book you read?
Right now I am making my way through Middlemarch by George Eliot.
What things do you like to do to stay physically active?
I go on a lot of walks with my dog. I also really love spin classes, but you can’t do those right now, so I just purchased a spin bike. So, I have been down in my basement, blaring music, trying to pretend I am at a spin studio!
What are three things on your bucket list?
Go to pastry school in France, publish a cookbook, and make the perfect roasted chicken.
What’s been your favorite place to travel to?
Japan. It was really cool, and I want to go back. My fiancé and I went to Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. We were there for two weeks.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you’d do with the money?
I’d probably go to pastry school in France.
Could you share a fun fact about yourself?
Right after college I had a job screen printing T-shirts and sold them at a craft market. I’ve sold shirts to some celebrities. The most famous celebrity was Melissa McCarthy, who bought 30 t-shirts.