Mj Berends

MJ Berends is an accomplished engineering leader with extensive experience in developing data-driven products and AI solutions. Currently serving as a Staff Search Engineer at Yurts since March 2024, MJ previously held several leadership roles at Shopify, including Development Manager for both Sidekick and Storefront Search, where MJ led teams in creating an AI-powered assistant and enhancing search functionalities. At Provi, MJ advanced through multiple titles to Director of Engineering, Data Products, driving innovative search and recommendation algorithms. Prior roles at ActiveCampaign, Jellyvision, Dose Media, Leo Burnett, and Quattrosource demonstrate a strong foundation in software development, data analytics, and project management. MJ holds an M.A. in Linguistics from Northwestern University and a B.A. in Philosophy from Kalamazoo College.