Whether she’s ensuring every detail of a team offsite goes off without a hitch or diving into her impressive reading list, Shelby embraces life with the same enthusiasm as a certain swashbuckling hero might approach a “battle of wits.” Read on to learn more about Shelby, her favorite Caliber perks and the story behind her nickname.

Kate: What is your favorite nickname and how did you get it?

Shelby: Mickey! This one goes way back. My grandma would take all of the grandkids to Disneyland when they turned five. When I was about three, and my older brother returned from his trip, I took his mouse ears. My dad saw me wearing them and pretended to call down the hall, “Shelby, come quick! Mickey is here!” I was quick to say I wasn’t the mouse, but I warmed up to it right away. Good thing, too, because my dad has called me “Mickey” ever since.

Kate: Where do you consider “home”? What is special about it?

Shelby: For me, home is Reno, Nevada. I spent 27 years of my life there, and I have family in the area. I love that you can be anywhere in 20 minutes (unless it’s rush hour) and that you can enjoy all four seasons. There’s always something to do no matter the time of year, and the weather is usually pretty mild — except during the dead of winter, which can be long. There’s lots of ice and snow from November and March, so if you’re a snowboard or ski enthusiast, you’re in luck. 

Kate: What non-work activities inspire you?

Shelby: I love to read. Even if I’m reading a work of fiction, I feel like I learn and experience so much through the literary lens. My dad says that reading is the elixir of life and, similarly, George R.R. Martin says, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” I’ve read 65 books this year, and my goal is 75, so I’m nearly there!

Kate: If you had to include one ingredient in every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

Shelby: It would have to be butter. A dollop of butter is a must in just about everything. When in doubt, add a little butter. 

Kate: What’s your favorite movie and/or book?

Shelby: I am terrible at picking favorites, but I’m going to have to go with The Princess Bride. It has everything! My husband and I may have even had the officiant at our wedding use the vows from the movie. The book about the making of the movie, As You Wish by Cary Elwes, who played Westley, is a must-read for any fan. I recommend listening to it on audiobook, as several people involved in the movie contributed chapters and each reads their own. It’s a really fun listen. Another fun fact is that my husband and I met Cary at a convention and asked him to sign our copy of the book. He was lovely.

Kate: What’s one accomplishment from your childhood that you still brag about?

Shelby: I won a medal at a karate competition once. I practiced Wadō-ryū for years before the school closed down. I tried other styles for a while, but never found one I loved as much.

Kate: What’s something your colleagues don’t know about you?

Shelby: I’m a pretty big fan of collecting rocks and crystals. I’ve even taken a pickaxe out into the hills and cracked around a bit to find some fresh specimens. The earth is so amazing, and so many minerals are just stunning. Whether I’m out in the hills, at a rock and mineral show, in a crystal shop, or exploring a creekbed, I’m always admiring the rocks around me. 

Kate: Name one thing that amazes you about fintech or innovation in financial services.

Shelby: The community is so full of fresh, new ideas. I’m constantly amazed by the innovations that are popping up in fintech and financial services every day. It’s so interesting to get a peek at what goes on behind the curtain! 

Kate: What’s your favorite Caliber Perk?

Shelby: I really enjoy the monthly stipend we get toward our quality of life. Home office, gyms, travel — nearly anything is eligible. I use mine for the gym, but I know others have saved up their stipend to buy a plane ticket. That’s pretty cool! 

Kate: What’s your favorite thing about working at Caliber?

Shelby: The leadership team is really something special. They’re incredibly accessible and responsive to everyone at Caliber. They truly make Caliber feel like a community rather than just a company. 

Kate: Looking back, are there any defining moments that helped shape you into the rockstar you are today?

Shelby: Like most young people, I struggled with the “what do I want to do” question. But when I realized that doing what you love doesn’t have to be something big like art, traveling or holding cute animals, it all came together for me. For some people, those things are their calling, and that’s great — I love those things, too. However, for me the happiness ticket is just being helpful, staying organized and making life easier for the people around me. Being helpful makes me happy, and I get to do that every day in so many ways at Caliber.

Kate: You played a key role in planning Caliber’s recent offsite. What was it like seeing it all come together?

Shelby: So much time and care goes into considering every detail of our team offsite to ensure our time together is not only fun, but also collaborative and inspiring. When we’re all there and living out the event that’s taken a year to bring to life, I feel really proud. It can be a bit emotional as well. 

During our offsites, I often pause to look around and admire how happy everyone is — whether we’re at dinner, in a learning session or even just meeting in the hotel lobby. Since we’re a remote-first company, I really treasure those candid moments of togetherness that we share each year.

Want to join Shelby Ecklund at Caliber? Check out our job postings page for open positions! 

The Staff Spotlight Q&A series highlights Caliber team members for the stellar work they do each day and the important part we all play in the company. Read more Staff Spotlight Q&A posts to learn more about our top-tier team.