Meet Media Temple: Mary Lowe
A company’s culture often reveals itself in the extremes, like the large events and little knick knacks around the office. To that extent, the person responsible for all that has to be attuned with the whole team, from CS floor to the C-suite. It wouldn’t be much of an exaggeration to state that Mary Lowe carries the torch for each and every employee at Media Temple. One of the most familiar and friendly people in the whole company, she has spent more than two years planning the epic company events while fostering an environment that allows collaboration and cooperation to happen effortlessly.
What do you like the most about what you do?
The people. I enjoy getting to know the whole team so I can better curate a work life that we all can enjoy. They are the inspiration for every snack choice, event proposal, and recognition campaign. I love that I get to play a part in developing our company culture.
How different is Media Temple compared to any previous companies you worked at?
Prior to Media Temple, I worked in hospitality. I loved it, making the transition here a seamless one. Instead of customers, my focus is now on my colleagues and making their work days better.
That said, Media Temple is unlike any place I’ve ever worked. It’s a group of professionals who are working on projects they enjoy, who are so invested in their work that they’ll gladly explain it at the drop of a hat. Between internal education like Tech Talks and Server Jams alongside opportunities to step outside the box and create (like Hackathons), we have a space that encourages employees to maximize their potential. As an employee, I really appreciate that.
What do you do in your free time?
I love sewing. In high school, I got a sewing machine for Christmas. I learned on my Mom’s Kenmore and, whether it was on her machine or mine, I stayed up many nights making my own clothes. I even made my prom dress. I like that it requires dedicated time, making me feel productive but not stressed. The excitement of finishing the final stitches never gets old. I currently have fabric to make a quilt for my husband and another one for my puppy.
What’s been your biggest accomplishment so far?
I’d have to say our office move. There were a lot of moving parts (no pun intended!): Moving us out of a space we had called home for 11 years and working with a construction team, coordinating with building management teams at both offices, and finding movers to get us into a new office was a big project. In the craziness of it all, I love that I got to put a stamp on our current home and create relationships with new vendors to make our space our own.
How has Media Temple helped you pursue your passions?
I feel a freedom to be creative in my work and I hope to continue to build the company culture, employee recognition, and communication avenues as much as I can. I’m passionate about employee experience and I’m thrilled to explore so many different angles of what that means on a day-to-day basis. It’s wonderful to be at a company where I feel valued and can watch my co-workers get enthusiastic by my contributions.
What’s your favorite book or movie?
It’s always hard for me to choose favorites. If I had to choose a favorite book, I’d pick Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. Alfred Hitchcock actually adapted it for a film shortly after. It’s dark and twisted, but it’s a classic.
Which one of Media Temple’s five company values resonates the most with you? Why?
I’d have to say Own Outcomes. Owning Outcomes is more than working hard and taking responsibility for the end result – it’s choosing to invest in others in that process. With a job that’s so people-focused, I get to invest in my co-workers every day, with each smile being the best outcome of all.
