22-25 April 2026

Amy Abel

Amy Abel is a Senior Consultant at Straight Path with a background in Database Administration, Site and Database Reliability . She has experience supporting critical, high-transactional healthcare systems and specializes in automating complex processes, reducing toil, and resolving database challenges. Amy is passionate about automation, database reliability, SQL challenges, and continuous learning. She inspires others through speaking, blogging, and mentoring. She is completing her Master’s degree at the University of Denver and holds two degrees in computer science from Weber State University. Outside of work, Amy enjoys hiking, off-roading in her Jeep, traveling, trying new food, and writing about technology.

Sessions for 2026

7 Simple Strategies to Combat Imposter Syndrome
 

Do you feel like a fraud? You are not alone. In this session, we will identify the signs of imposter syndrome and how it impacts professionals in tech. Join me to learn the specific strategies that helped me overcome self-doubt so you can do the same.

Creative GitHub Strategies for the Modern Database Professional
 

Unlock GitHub's hidden potential with Amy Abel and Rob Volk. Move beyond version control and turn the platform into a creative workspace. Learn to handle operational oddities and manage database tasks in ways you never imagined.

DBA Horror Stories and Practical Advice for Surviving Your Worst Day
 

Hear real production horror stories from Ben Miller, Kellyn Gorman, Rob Volk, and Eric Peterson. Learn to identify red flags and build a good defensive strategy. You may not experience the same incident, but one day, you will recognize the moment.

Evaluating New Database Tech Before You Commit
 

Don't let the latest database hype compromise your reliability or budget. Whether you are looking at vector stores or Cassandra, we will explore the hidden costs of operations, security, and maintenance that often get overlooked. Join us to learn how to build a vetting scorecard ensuring you only say yes to technology that is truly production ready.

How to Recognize and Overcome a Toxic Work Environment
 

Toxic workplaces ruin careers and mental health. Learn to spot the signs, from gaslighting to burnout. This session provides actionable strategies to set boundaries, protect your peace, and move from surviving to thriving in a better role.

Reactive DBA to Proactive DBRE, From Burnout to Buy-In
 

Buried in firefighting? Amy Abel shares the framework she used as a Tech Lead to turn a reactive DBA team into a proactive DBRE unit. Learn to quantify toil, gain management buy-in, and build a strategic roadmap out of burnout.

Previous Sessions