Get to know our FY27 Q2 Magic Maker winners

The best recognition comes from the people who see you in action every day. Every quarter, we celebrate five employees whose peers recognized their dedication, impact, and commitment to The Smartsheet Way. Join us in celebrating these amazing winners. 

Sinduja is being recognized for the defining role she played in bringing our MCP Server to life – one of the most successful launches of 2026. What began with writing the product brief in July 2025 grew into something far larger than anyone anticipated, ultimately expanding the scope of her role by 100% as the opportunity took shape. Through every phase of development, Sinduja brought sharp product and technical expertise to the table, paired with a relentless energy that didn’t stop at launch. The scale of what she took on speaks to her adaptability, determination, and impact – delivering something that helped move the business forward. That’s what it means to Picture the win. 

What Sinduja’s colleagues say:

“Sinduja has been fundamental in the definition and delivery of Smartsheet's MCP Server, arguably one of our most successful launches of 2026!”

“She leveraged her excellent product and technical knowledge every MCP day and has kept relentless energy to continue to drive success post-launch.”

Sinduja, what does this award mean to you?

“I am humbled and grateful. There is so much incredible talent at Smartsheet, so being recognised among that company means a lot. But honestly, this belongs as much to the engineers and cross-functional partners I work with every day. Product is a team sport, and none of what I've shipped exists without people who care deeply about the craft. What makes me proud isn't just that the work shipped, it's that it landed. That's not something you do alone.”

Rachael is being honored for the exceptional impact she made as a recruiting partner during a high-velocity hiring period across multiple teams. In just one quarter, she helped one hiring manager bring on seven new team members, while simultaneously supporting other teams in their own searches. For a first-time hiring manager, Rachael struck exactly the right balance: teaching the process without slowing it down, adapting to each team’s unique needs, and eliminating friction that would have stood between great candidates and fast decisions. Through it all, her upbeat attitude and commitment to positive outcomes never wavered. Rachael’s work is a prime example of what it means to Make it happen. 

What Rachael’s colleagues say:

“Even when logistics got complicated, Rachael’s upbeat attitude and unwavering commitment to a positive outcome never wavered. She smoothed every bump in the road and made a massive impact on our team's growth."

“Rather than wait on a routine approval, Rachael realized the approver was in the office that day, tracked them down in person, and got the sign-off on the spot. That kind of hustle got offers out to strong candidates faster than I've seen before at Smartsheet.”

Rachael, what does this award mean to you?

“This award means everything to me. It's recognition that the work I'm doing matters and makes a real difference. I show up for my customers, my team, and my colleagues with kindness and integrity. I work hard, I do the right thing, and I get things done the right way. That's not just how I work, that's who I am. This award validates that mentality and reminds me that when you bring the right attitude and effort to the journey, you get there.”

Manxue is being celebrated for the extraordinary role she played in shaping our AI design vision  at one of the most pivotal moments in the company's history. As the principal design lead for Smart Assist, she served as the connective tissue across dozens of feature teams – aligning everyone on a consistent, coherent AI experience even as the roadmap shifted. She created a Claude project that gave every team their own “Manxue” to consult: a way to reason through AI design requirements that scaled her expertise across teams. Through it all, Manxue brought a rare combination of visual craft, deep customer empathy, and collaboration. Her work is a testament to what it means to Push past limits: not just stretching what’s possible, but bringing the whole organization with her.  

What Manxue’s colleagues say:

“Manxue has had a broad impact on the UX vision and execution at Smartsheet. She outpaces obstacles, outflanks competition, and never settles. In summary, Manxue is EPIC.” 

“Manxue did not just execute on what was asked, she elevated the thinking around her and made the people and work around her better. She is exactly the kind of designer who makes a program like this possible.” 

Manxue, what does this award mean to you?

“It was honestly a complete surprise, and I was really excited when I found out. To me, pushing past limits is about being willing to step into uncertainty, question the obvious answer, and keep exploring what might be possible. I’m also really grateful to my teammates, their support, trust, and willingness to challenge ideas and figure things out together are a big thing that makes this work possible.”

Varun is being recognized for the quiet, consistent excellence he brings to some of the most complex technical challenges. As a critical force in ensuring systems are architected so data and process flow seamlessly, his work underpins the kind of cross-functional collaboration that keeps the business moving. What sets Varun apart isn’t just his technical depth, but the way he shows up: listening carefully to stakeholder needs, asking the right questions, and crafting solutions that work for everyone rather than taking the path of least resistance. He’s the person that teammates turn to when things get hard – and when something goes wrong, he’s already there, calm under pressure and focused on resolving issues fast. Reliable, approachable, and always willing to think beyond the playbook, Varun embodies what it means to Own the outcome. 

What Varun’s colleagues say:

“Varun’s a standout technically, but what really sets him apart is his approachability and willingness to think beyond the playbook. He prioritizes solving problems over following processes, and his sense of ownership is truly exceptional.” 

“Varun is Mr. Reliable. He's smart, responsive and always brings receipts when addressing problems. He's calm under pressure, knows system design well and is generally great to work with.” 

Varun, what does this award mean to you?

“What means the most is that this recognition came from the people I work alongside every day saying they see that ownership. That feels genuine. At the same time, I want to acknowledge that this isn't just about me. I wouldn't be in a position to own these outcomes if my team weren't stepping up alongside me. Whether it's solving problems, supporting each other, or staying committed to delivering, this award is really a reflection of what we do together.”

Fernanda is being honored for turning her own prospecting success into something the entire team could benefit from. After developing an outreach sequence that landed her 40+ meetings and closed key deals, she voluntarily led a session to share her exact framework – the sequence, target list, and first-touch email – with her teammates. The results were immediate: colleagues began booking 20+ meetings each using her approach, creating a repeatable, proven motion that strengthened the team’s pipeline and transformed the culture from cold outreach to genuine customer engagement. Fernanda didn’t have to share any of it, but she chose to, because she saw an opportunity to make the whole team better. That’s what it means to Champion every success: celebrating what works, bringing others along, and lifting the team’s confidence and performance heading into the second half of the year. 

What Fernanda’s colleagues say:

“By structuring [her new] outreach around creating genuine 1:1 conversations with customers, Fernanda helped the team shift from cold outreach to warm engagement — more pipeline, better quality opportunities, and a team that feels more confident going into the second half of the year. She didn't have to share any of this. She chose to, and the team is better for it."

“That's the thing about Fer, she wins, and then she makes sure you can win, too. "

Fernanda, what does this award mean to you?

“This is a testament to the incredible work environment and kindness that I've received from my team and others in the organization. It truly is a privilege to be working at an organization such as Smartsheet that values teamwork and views anyone's growth not as competition but as something to celebrate. I'm excited to keep growing, learning, and passing on this feeling to new teammates!”

A massive congratulations to this quarter's winners — thank you for the example you set and the impact you make every day. Their stories are a reminder of what’s possible when people bring their full selves to work. If you’re inspired and looking for what’s next, we’d love to meet you. Explore our open roles and create magic with us.