Mackenzie was raised in and around Orange County, California. She moved to Eugene in 2017 to study Art History and Nonprofit Administration at the University of Oregon. Her responsibilities at The Shedd are split between her work on the research and design team of its Eugene ArtsNews initiative, a community-based arts, entertainment and community life media platform scheduled to launch in the fall of 2023, and her work with Shedd Operations where she oversees its building assistants and volunteer programs. She enjoys making and appreciating art, reading, and writing.