Meet the Team

Name: Mary-Ann Johnson

Job Role: Product Owner

Length of service: 1 Year 

What attracted you to Muddy Boots?
Having moved to Hereford, I was looking for a local Product Owner job in a company that has a positive impact on the world. Muddy Boots' work in sustainability and enabling better decisions through data was very appealing!

Tell us a bit about you and your work history?
I've worked in software for over 20 years, mostly at DisplayLink, who make USB docking stations. I've been in agile software leadership roles for the last decade, helping teams work effectively, and deliver great value to customers.

What does your typical working day look like?
It starts with several short catch ups, particularly with the teams I work with, to keep in sync on the new things we all discover day-to-day in our work. After that you'll probably find me talking to stakeholders, both across the business units, and at customer sites, or working with the teams to plan their work together.

What's an interesting fact about you?
Until we moved, I ran the local village magazine for 10 years.

Who would be your ideal dinner party guest and why?
Ideally, some of my close friends who I haven't seen enough of during Covid times! But for someone I haven't met before, it'd be fascinating to talk to David Marquet, the author of "Turn the Shop Around" and "Leadership is Language" - two game-changing books for me on leadership.

What's your favourite food?
Moussaka is pretty high up there - and I'm the queen of puddings for dessert.

What makes you passionate about food / farming?
It's so fundamental to our very existence on the planet! I love the idea that my work can contribute to building a sustainable future.

Any skills or talents that people don’t know about?
I love local folk music & dance and I've just joined a local border Morris dance group. Lots of clashing sticks and upbeat music!

What advice do you wish you’d been given early in your career?
Everyone is doing the best with what they have available. Don't get annoyed with individuals - look for ways to improve the systems for everyone!

Finish this sentence: on Sunday mornings you usually find me...
at church with my family, sometimes playing flute in the band.

What’s one item you can’t leave your house or apartment without?
I prefer to travel light, so just keys/phone/wallet and lots of warm clothes, especially at this time of year!

Describe yourself in three words...
Curious, optimistic, systematic.

What publications do you regularly read or what book are you reading now?
I'm currently reading "Thinking, fast and slow" by Dan Kahneman - but that's a slow read, so I'm also revisiting "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries.