Mandi Ford Argo

About Mandi Ford Argo

I build high-performance communities that drive growth, engagement, and measurable outcomes.Over the past 13+ years, I’ve designed and led programs, fellowships, and ecosystems that help founders, operators, and community leaders move from idea → execution → scale.My work sits at the intersection of:• community• growth• program design• and ecosystem buildingI’ve partnered with organizations like Google, Watson Institute, Techstars, universities, and nonprofit ecosystems to:→ build founder and talent pipelines → increase participation, retention, and engagement → launch and scale new programs and markets → turn communities into engines for opportunity and economic mobility What makes my work different:I don’t just “run programs” or “build community.” I design systems where:• community → drives growth • engagement → drives outcomes • people → actually move forward That means:• stronger cohorts • higher retention • more meaningful participation • and real-world results Right now, I’m:→ Leading Oklahoma recruitment for the Google Data Center Community AI Fellowship (via Watson Institute) → Designing and running accelerator and fellowship programs → Advising organizations on how to use community as a growth lever I’m especially interested in the future of:• AI + human connection • community as infrastructure • entrepreneurship as a path to agency and economic mobility If you\'re building something that relies on people — not just product — we should probably talk.

Experience

1. Search Lead

   Watson Institute

   Mar 2026 — Present · Tulsa, OK, US

   Lead regional recruitment and growth strategy for the Google AI Data Center Community Impact Fellowship across Oklahoma (Pryor, Muskogee, Stillwater)• Build partner-driven pipelines through ecosystem relationships, nominations, and community activation• Position fellowship as a high-impact opportunity for leaders using AI and technology for community outcomes

Education

• The LBJ School of Public Affairs

  Master's degree, Public Affairs, Executive Master's in Public Leadership

  2017 — 2018

• The University of Texas at Austin

  Bachelor's degree, Philosophy

• The University of Texas at Austin

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Philosophy

  2006 — 2010

Skills

• Microsoft Office
• Event Planning
• Social Media Marketing
• Hospitality
• Research
• Leadership
• Higher Education
• Training
• Event Management
• Community Outreach
• Time Management
• Human Resources
• Social Networking
• Survey Design
• Interviews
• Leadership Development
• Customer Service
• Recruiting
• Logical Thinker
• Public Speaking
• Social Media