Get to know F&S: Mandy Yip
By supporting the systems staff use every day, Business and Data Analyst Mandy Yip helps F&S teams respond faster, plan better and keep campus running smoothly.
Every day, the Facilities & Services (F&S) team works diligently to repair, maintain and enhance the St. George campus, work that is tracked and managed through a variety of digital systems.
As part of the systems and operational development team, Mandy Yip supports many of these platforms, which are essential for front-line staff as they improve physical spaces and equipment across campus. With a background in mathematics and computing, she’s passionate about using data to solve problems, simplify processes and help colleagues serve the U of T community as effectively as possible.
From locksmiths to carpenters, technicians to property managers, F&S staff rely on a central database that details every space and piece of equipment the department oversees. This tool, the SAP Plant Maintenance system, includes everything from lecture halls and washrooms to heating systems and electrical substations. It also provides a history of past issues and how they were resolved, so response teams have the information they need to act quickly and effectively should new issues arise.
Working quietly behind-the-scenes, Mandy helps keep these systems running smoothly — providing technical assistance, resolving data quality issues and training new staff. She also identifies opportunities for improvement to make it easier for staff in the field to view assignments and log detailed notes while on site.
“I really enjoy working directly with users to troubleshoot problems and improve how our systems work,” she says. “It’s rewarding to see the tangible impact our solutions can have.”
One area where Mandy’s expertise is particularly valuable is in data and reporting. Working with teams across U of T, she built a dashboard to track overdue service orders, helping teams understand how many requests are outstanding and where delays may be occurring. This makes it easier to plan and prioritize, helping teams respond faster and make informed decisions.
“It was a collaborative and iterative process,” she explains. “We worked hard to make sure the dashboard was accurate, user-friendly and truly valuable to those using it.”
A typical day for Mandy begins with triaging emails, messages and service tickets — some quick fixes, others requiring hours of investigation. Once immediate issues are addressed, she turns to project work, preparing datasets for dashboards and offering technical input on preventative maintenance planning. When she can, she carves out time for online software development courses, continuously building on her skills.
Colleagues might be surprised by just how collaborative Mandy’s work is. “A lot of people think of tech roles as solitary, but my job involves a lot of teamwork, communication and problem-solving,” she says. “It’s really about understanding user needs and creating solutions that support them.”
What Mandy values most about her role is the opportunity to grow professionally and be part of a supportive, knowledgeable team. “We share a lot of laughs and celebrate each other’s wins. There’s a strong culture of learning here. I learn so much from my teammates, they’re generous with their knowledge and always willing to help.”
Outside of work, Mandy enjoys running, reformer Pilates and reading as part of a small book club with friends.