Trish Mandes grew up in Atlanta, Georgia.  She graduated from Bryn Mawr College  with a degree in Mediaeval History. She has lived in Fairfax Station for more than 30 years with her husband, Evans, a professor and administrator at George Mason University.  
Over the years, they have raised three children and a multitude of dogs, horses, and  cats.
Trish received a M.Ed. in Reading from George Mason, a degree which ushered her into a career with Fairfax County Public Schools.  There she was a Reading Specialist, a Learning Disabilities resource teacher, and a curriculum writer for Elementary Language Arts and the English as a Second Language Program.
She was one of the first Master Teachers recognized by the school system.
Trish was a Girl Scout leader for seven years at Clifton, Fairview, and Union Mill Elementary Schools and at Robinson Secondary.
She was a member of the Board of Director of the Virginia Quarter Horse Association for 10 years and the Youth Director for the VA Quarter Horse Youth Association for three years. During that time, she and a group of friends developed and incorporated the East Coast Championship Show, which became one of the top 15 nationally ranked AQHA shows in size.
 Trish has written articles and columns for the VQHA newsletter, the "Virginia Horse Journal, "The South County Chronicle," and "The Fairfax Chronicle."