Background

I was once described as a "Swiss Army Knife," and it stuck. For the past 25 years, I've had my hands in a bit of everything across diverse industries and roles from startups to Fortune 10. I am an initiator and integrator. As the Strengthsfinder assessment summed up, I am the Equalizer and Energizer - I bring balance to chaos. This is why people call on me. I see the big picture and am able solve complex problems that involve the combination of people, technology, processes, and business - taking strategy to planning, execution, operationalizing, and continuously improving. I see broadly and can go deep, bridging the technical and business divide. I'm a "change maker" with a "people first" attitude. You can have a great idea or product, but the most successful, profitable, and sustainable organizations are built on their people, culture and values.

Job experience

• November 2022 - present
  Chief Operating Officer
  22nd Century by Design Solutions - Impact Investment Fund "stealth mode"
  

  Hybrid

  At the forefront of an Impact Investment Fund in 'stealth mode' with Sullivan Global, I'm helping to lead a mission to revolutionize sustainability and environmental stewardship. Our ambition is monumental: to harness groundbreaking technologies that not only combat climate change but also pioneer the removal of harmful PFAS, adhere to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, and establish new benchmarks for safe, clean, non-toxic solutions.
  
  We're not just investors; we're catalysts for change. Our portfolio is a tapestry of innovative endeavors aimed at sculpting a sustainable future. We channel our investments into ventures that are not just profitable, but also purposeful – setting new paradigms in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. From trailblazing ESG technology platforms and intelligent emergency management systems to pioneering salt battery technologies that offer an eco-friendly alternative to lithium, our commitment is unwavering.
  
  Our vision extends to diverse, yet interconnected sectors. We're fueling the growth of Waste-to-Energy initiatives, championing regenerative farming techniques, and backing the creation of plant-based furniture. Our interest also lies in revolutionizing consumer household products with non-toxic, effective cleaning and odor solutions. In healthcare, we're investing in hospital-grade, non-toxic wound care and disinfectant products that promise safety without compromise.
  
  Additionally, we're pioneering sustainable innovation centers, encouraging a culture of impactful creativity. Each investment symbolizes a step toward a sustainable, regenerative world.
  
  In this role, my mission is to not only invest in these transformative projects but also to nurture and guide them towards scalable success - setting a gold standard in the realm of impact investing and sustainable innovation, backed by our optimized and scalable internal processes and platforms.

• March 2015 - present
  MBA Communications Professor | Student Coach
  UCLA Anderson School of Management
  

  Los Angeles, CA, USA

  • Lecturer and 1:1 coaching using an Executive Coaching model for the Communication Development for Leaders course (previous)
  • Leadership Development and student coaching program adviser (current)

• 2008 - present
  Managing Partner / Co-founder
  Sullivan Global Consulting
  

  At Sullivan Global Consulting (SGC) we don't just consult; we immerse ourselves in your world. Our team is a dynamic tapestry of international insights, executive acumen, and seasoned leadership. What sets us apart? It's our ability to view complex challenges through a kaleidoscope of diverse and global perspectives, bringing unparalleled depth to our coaching and consulting endeavors.
  🌟 C-Level Consulting:
  We delve into the heart of organizational integration, harmonizing people, culture, processes, systems, and technologies. Our expertise extends to process refinement, agile transformation, comprehensive PMO strategies, and crafting user-centric strategies. We're not just advisors; we're architects of change.
  🌍 Strategic Planning Across Borders: Specializing in the US, LATAM, and Europe, we tailor business strategies that resonate across cultures and demographics. We're your bridge to unexplored and expanded opportunities.
  🔍 In-Depth Assessments:
  Our toolbox includes Everything DiSC, Emotional Intelligence, Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team, OCI/OEI (culture), and Strengthscope. We don't just assess; we unveil insights that catalyze growth.
  🚀 Leadership Development and Executive Coaching Redefined:
  Our leadership development workshops and coaching styles stem from our own executive leadership and professional athlete experience, and our areas are diverse - from Executive & Founder Leadership Development to Cross-Cultural Challenges. We don't just develop leaders; we cultivate individuals to be trailblazers in their fields and to courageously embrace their potential - with a special focus on Women Leaders, High-potential Leaders, Technical/IC to Leadership Role Transitions, Crucial Conversations, Emotional Intelligence, and Health/Work/Life Alignment.
  
  • Clients: The Honest Company (CFO and founder) | Chevron | Intersteel | iFactory | Prison of Peace | Habitat for Humanity | RSC Development | Xala | VC’s | Xperi | Perceive | Curology | Providence Health

• 2013 - 2014
  Chief Operating Officer | President | HR Technology | Salesforce.com Leads Technology
  Reppify
  

  San Francisco, CA, USA

  As COO, I played a pivotal role in transforming HR & Sales technology, through our innovative Salesforce.com AppExchange platform. We harnessed LinkedIn's power to enable businesses to access vast talent and sales networks through the power of Referrals.
  My time at Reppify was defined by strategic growth, organizational development, and technological innovation setting a new standard in the HR technology space.
  
  • Strategic Leadership: led product strategy, targeted significant revenue and market expansion. Intricately building our internal organization from the ground up, including onshore and offshore teams.
  • Customer Relationship Management: fostered relationships with high-profile clients like Accenture, NEC, and Capital One, providing custom Global Talent Acquisition Referral Recommendation platforms.
  Partner Relationship Management: established strategic collaborations with industry leaders such as Salesforce.com, UST Global, and Oracle, vital for our growth and expansion.
  • Venture Capital and Networking: Collaborating with our CEO, engaged in venture capital presentations and represented Reppify at various trade shows and events.
  
  Key initiatives:
  • Organizational Development: established an Employee Development Plan Process with quarterly evaluations, integrated with Officevibe.com, and introduced Recognition, Rewards, and Volunteer Programs; regular Professional Development Sessions.
  • Sales Enhancement: developed a comprehensive sales strategy, incorporating Salesforce.com tools and established clear metrics and processes.
  • Marketing Innovation: created a robust product positioning strategy, complemented by content, social media, and PR initiatives. Conducted competitive analysis and implemented the Act-On marketing automation solution.
  • Technology Advancements: transitioned to Agile methodologies, optimized development processes and JIRA tools. Efforts extended to DevOps practices, QA automation, infrastructure management on AWS, and established a robust technical and customer support system.

• December 2011 - May 2013
  Technology Director | Member of Sr. Leadership team | Pharmacy Information Systems
  Kaiser Permanente
  

  Los Angeles, CA, USA

  Playing a Director-level role at the helm of the Care Delivery Business Information Office, I led the ambitious Outpatient Pharmacy Replacement Program. This groundbreaking initiative aimed to revolutionize Kaiser's pharmaceutical systems and services by transitioning from 450 disparate legacy systems (PIMS) to a unified, integrated platform across all regions.
  
  Key achievements:
  • Strategically developed an IT Project Management Office (PMO) to synergize with the business PMO, ensuring cohesive and efficient project progression.
  • Led a diverse team of 300 professionals across 10 departments, transforming a compartmentalized structure into a dynamic, integrated ecosystem. Departments under my purview included Systems Integration, Infrastructure, Application Support, Release Management, ESB Development/Architecture, Point-of-Sale Development, Data Conversion, Patient Benefits Providers, and Performance & Scalability.
  • Facilitated improved collaboration between onshore, offshore, and managed service teams from TCS, Accenture, Infogain, and CSC. I was responsible for overseeing Agile process governance and the implementation of the Rally platform.
  • Acted as a pivotal conduit between IT, Senior Leadership, Informatics Business and Product Owners, Pharmacy Operations, Compliance, PMO (both Deloitte and internal teams), Training department, PIMS vendors, and external interfaces. My role was instrumental in ensuring alignment and clarity across all stakeholders.
  • Provided mentorship and strategic guidance in areas of resource allocation, budget forecasting, and long-term financial planning, adeptly managing multi-million dollar budgets over multiple years.
  
  My role was not just about managing a massive technological transition; it was about creating a culture of collaboration, innovation, and strategic foresight, laying the foundation for a more efficient, integrated future in healthcare and pharmacy technology.

• 2007 - 2008
  General Manager | Digital Entertainment | Organizational Transformation
  MUZU.TV
  

  Dublin, Ireland

  • Reporting to the co-founders, built the entire organization and oversaw all employees, overall company operations, strategy, and deliverables across Product, IT, Digital Media, Online Advertising, Marketing, Creative, Content Acquisition, Engineering, QA, Operations, Finance, Support, and forged relationships with leading creative and advertising agencies for a rapidly expanding start-up, interactive social media video and music-orientated company.
  • Spearheaded a formal program management methodology, collaborating with C-level management, investors, internal and external stakeholders. Oversaw Sony BMG content acquisition project.
  • Accountability for entire the Product Launch Life Cycle, which included alignment of corporate and product roadmaps.
  • Involved in oversight of product positioning, competitive intelligence, marketing strategy, brand identity, messaging, marketing campaigns, promotions, surveys, usability, and consumer rights protection.
  • Direct management of the Advertising team overseeing advertising operations, trafficking, and sales process; ensured product alignment with advertising platform. Advertising technologies utilized: Google AdWords, AdSense, DoubleClick, DART; Fivia AdFront.
  • Organizational transformation through applying a change management approach focusing on human capital in the areas of adoption, utilization and proficiency. High performing teams were created through placing and developing individuals into roles based on skill sets and development plans, physically reorganizing the office, and cross-team collaboration that were non-existent upon joining the company. Resulted in increased productivity, morale, and a renewed sense of purpose.
  • Led the selection of MUZU’s content delivery network, digital encoding infrastructure, CRM, advertising, revenue tracking, customer support, and SharePoint systems. Collaboration with CFO and Controller to define payment strategy to record labels and artists.

• 2004 - 2007
  Global Business Transformation Programs Manager | Product Management | Enterprise Content Management
  Intel Corporation
  

  Portland, OR, USA

  Sales & Marketing Group | S&M Operations
  Oregon, USA / Mexico
  • Managed parallel enterprise programs and a product with competing priorities, respected leader, internal consultant, change agent, cross-team/cultural collaborator, for multi-divisional business units across ASMO, EMEA, APAC, IJKK and external creative agencies.
  • Global Website Health Program Management as part of Business Transformation Programs strategic management team for Intel’s globally public-facing web content. Intel’s point of contact for vendor and contract management for IBM’s WebXM managed service product; data integration with web analytics, eBI, and performance systems; KPI's and MBO’s; spearheaded intel.com quality, privacy, and operational process improvements; presented external “industry expert” webinars; operational indicator reviews with cross-vertical teams and senior management. Grew capability and user adoption by over 60% in one year.
  • Program management for a multi-year enterprise initiative to migrate from disparate platforms (TeamSite) on 275 servers to the implementation of a standardized enterprise content management system (ECM) on Documentum. A major change initiative impacting thousands of users and was a shift from being IT to business-driven, and from being compartmentalized to an integrated product-centric process.
  • Annual Planning to determine multi-million dollar budgets for programs, initiatives, resourcing, and operations
  • Management of One Web roll-out training strategy.
  • Project management and CMMI process coaching.
  
  Intel Software Network
  • Management of Intel Software Product group’s web content migration project. Migrated English and Localized content to an enterprise content management (ECM) platform; utilized automated migration and content cleanup tools (Kapow), streamlined user experience, and drove business process re-engineering.
  • Virtual team and stakeholder management from Mexico for teams in the USA, Guam, Ireland, Singapore, and India.

• 1996 - 1997
  Software Developer | Application Automation | Global Team
  Dow Chemical
  

  • Application development in Visual Basic and technical documentation for controlling mainframe emulation software to measure mainframe application response times and availability for end-user measurements within a Global project team (contractor).

• 1992 - 1996
  Technical Intern | Application Development Lead | Employee Training | Environmental Regulations
  Dow Corning
  

  Midland, MI, USA

  Departments – Environmental Services Regulatory Division; Employee Education, Assessment & Training
  • Developed employee training tracking system for corporate headquarters, project coordination of multiple projects, budgets, and employee training in compliance with ISO, OSHA and corporate standards.
  • Manifest administration of hazardous and non-hazardous waste, communications with regulatory agencies - DEQ, EPA, etc., safety inspections, PPE, RCRA, emergency response planning.

Education

• MIT - Sloan School of Management
  Executive Certificate in Digital Business
  

  2024 - present

  Hybrid program
  Courses:
  - Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy
  - Digital Business Strategy: Harnessing Our Digital Future
  - Strategies for Sustainable Business
  - Organizational Design for Digital Transformation
• University of San Diego
  MSc in International Business & Organizational Leadership
  

  - 2010

  Executive format Master of Science program focusing on the global leadership and ethical aspects within international business settings.
  Activities and societies:
  • National Society of Collegiate Scholars • Featured “Successful, Interesting, and Inspiring MSGL Grad” on university website
  
  Courses: international business | international strategic management | global leadership | business ethics | global marketing | international finance | international negotiations | international law | operations management | supply chain management | cross-cultural management | organizational theory & design | strong emphasis on organizational and strategic management.
  
  • Study abroad: Strategic Management | Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Capstone project: Key presenter to Taylor-Dunn company executives regarding recommended market entry strategies into North Africa.
  • Guest lecturer: Strategic Management graduate course on the topics of "leading and working with global teams and abroad" and "women in leadership"
  • Panelist: alumni "Life After MSGL"
  • Speaking: Commencement Guest Alumni Speaker | December 2011
• University of Michigan
  BS in Earth & Natural Resource Science
  

  - 1997

  • Natural and Physical sciences: geomorphology | geohydrology | remote sensing | GIS | cartography | meteorology | geography | physical science | environmental science.
  • Management & Regulatory: Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) | natural disaster planning and management | water resource policy | landscape architecture | urban sociology | urban planning | occupational health & safety | environmental law.
• Davenport University
  Computer Information Technology
  

  - 1994

  - Transferred to University of Michigan
  - Computer programming, Networking, Computer logic, Advanced database
  - Nominated for Student of the Term

• Business Process Management Practitioner
  AIIM International
  

  March 2009 - present
• Organizational Culture Inventory (OCI) and Organizational Effectiveness Inventory (OEI) Practitioner
  Human Synergistics
  

  May 2017 - present
• PMP
  Project Management Institute
  279840
  

  May 2011 - present
• The Five Behaviors®: A Wiley Brand logo The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team™ Advanced Facilitator
  Wiley
  

  April 2017 - present
• Strengthscope Certified Assessor & Practitioner
  Strengthscope
  

  January 2018 - present
• Everything DiSC: A Wiley Brand logo Everything DiSC Certified Assessor & Facilitator
  Wiley
  

  May 2015 - present
• AI Developer Professional Certificate
  IBM
  

  March 2024 - 2025

  In progress
• AI Essentials
  University of Michigan
  

  March 2024 - April 2024