Mandy's passion for the environment, its health and history, and how humans interact with it, stems from her childhood spending time at Mammoth Cave National Park. She went on to study Anthropology, Archaeology, Geosciences, and Urban Restoration at the University of Cincinnati and New Jersey City University.

After graduation she began seasonal work at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island NM as a Park Ranger for the National Park Service for two consecutive seasons where she conducted extensive historical research and gave tours daily. This led to working for the non-profit Save Ellis Island giving and developing public tours for the abandoned hospital complex on Ellis Island. Most recently she spent the 2016 season as a Park Ranger at Governors Island National Monument and will be there again in the coming 2017 season. She has spent countless hours volunteering with Liberty State Park, NY/NJ Baykeeper, and the National Park Service. Focusing most of her attention on New York Harbor. She is currently a member on the board of directors of The Friends of Liberty State Park, and volunteer with Breezy Point Historical Society.