Mandy grew up in Colby, Kansas. As an elementary student, she was blessed to attend Sacred Heart Elementary before continuing her education with the Colby Public Schools. Her Catholic School experience in Colby was incredibly formative for her faith and future.
Mandy received an associate degree from Colby Community College and both a bachelor’s and master's degree in education from Fort Hays State University. Mandy has been in education her entire professional life starting as a kindergarten teacher for 15 years before becoming the principal at Sacred Heart Elementary in Colby and now serving in that same position at Holy Family in Hays.
Mandy has also served her parish as a CYO sponsor, junior CYO sponsor, and director of religious education for the last seven years. Her husband Bill is the director of the offices of Family Life, Youth Ministry, and Religious Education for the Salina Diocese and the head boy's basketball coach at Thomas More Prep-Marian. Together they have three children Thomas, Andrew, and Emma. All three of their kids attend the Hays Catholic Schools.