Authentic Leader Inspiring Collaboration & Excellence | Driving Change and Building Strong, Inclusive, High-Performing Teams
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
As a leader, I am passionate about fostering growth, inclusion, and organizational excellence. My work spans diverse areas, including authentic leadership, building inclusive cultures, project management, change management, and knowledge sharing. Below, I share the strategies, actions, and impacts that have defined my career, demonstrating my commitment to empowering teams, navigating change, and delivering meaningful results."
What You'll Find on This Page:
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Authentic Leadership: Discover how I build, support, and empower high-performing teams through recruitment, onboarding, talent development, conflict resolution, and leading through change.
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Inclusive Culture: Learn about my efforts to foster belonging, promote diversity, and drive initiatives that create equitable workplace environments.
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Project Management Excellence: Explore examples of strategic initiatives where I’ve successfully aligned resources, managed timelines, and delivered measurable outcomes.
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Change & Knowledge Management: See how I design and implement strategies that enable seamless transitions, foster adoption, and create sustainable frameworks for knowledge sharing.
AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP
Empower teams to succeed
As a leader, I am committed to creating an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and equipped to thrive. My leadership philosophy emphasizes fostering growth, collaboration, and inclusivity, enabling team members to achieve their fullest potential. Key elements of my approach include:
Recruitment - Building Strong, Diverse Teams: I prioritize identifying and attracting diverse talent who bring unique perspectives and skills to the team.
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Conducting annual talent reviews to identify skill gaps and create succession plans.
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Drafting inclusive job descriptions to attract candidates from various backgrounds.
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Partnering with Talent Acquisition to source candidates from diverse talent pools and conferences.
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Proactively asking candidates about accommodations and ensuring they are successfully provided during interviews.
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Reducing candidate anxiety by asking interview questions aloud and sharing them in writing.
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Advocating for and implemented equitable hiring practices to build a stronger, more inclusive team.
This intentional approach ensures our team is equipped to meet current and future challenges while fostering a culture of inclusivity and innovation.
Onboarding - Setting the Foundation for Success: I revamped the onboarding process for my team to ensure new hires are equipped to thrive.
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Designed a comprehensive training program covering the company’s history, products, mergers, business units, and our specific team’s role.
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Created in-depth training on project management, change management, communications, and knowledge management, including tools, templates, and resources.
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Assign a co-pilot (mentor) for each new hire to provide guidance and support during the onboarding process.
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Ask all team members, my leader, and peers to schedule 30-minute introductions with new hires to foster connection and collaboration.
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Develop a 30-60-90 day plan with clear milestones and expectations for the first 6 months and 1 year.
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Review team norms to align new hires with our culture and values.
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Implemented a detailed onboarding checklist to ensure access to all necessary systems, tools, and resources.
This structured approach ensures new hires feel supported, prepared, and integrated into the team from day one
Talent Development: I am dedicated to supporting team members in achieving their career goals while fostering a culture of recognition and growth.
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Support team members in mapping career pathways and identifying development opportunities.
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Advocating for promotions, helping employees step into leadership roles and expanded responsibilities.
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Implementing robust succession planning, including structured skill and knowledge-sharing initiatives, to ensure continuity and growth across all roles.
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Conducting thorough, fair performance evaluations to celebrate achievements and provide actionable feedback for growth.
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Lead inclusive talent reviews to ensure every team member’s contributions are recognized and valued.
This intentional approach to career development, performance management, and succession planning strengthens the team’s capabilities and builds a pipeline of future leaders.
Conflict Resolution & Team Morale: I take a proactive and empathetic approach to addressing conflicts and fostering a positive team environment.
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Successfully mediated conflicts between team members, leading to stronger collaboration and improved working relationships.
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Coached a team member with performance issues into a new role, resulting in a mutually beneficial outcome and recognition from senior leadership for my effective approach.
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Guided the team through challenging cost containment measures, maintaining morale and productivity despite difficult circumstances.
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Support team members in navigating interpersonal challenges by fostering open communication and understanding, helping to rebuild trust and team cohesion.
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Encourage transparency and accountability within the team by establishing clear expectations and fostering an environment where feedback is constructive and valued.
This focus on conflict resolution and team morale ensures a collaborative, supportive atmosphere where individuals can thrive and contribute their best work.
Leadership Through Change: I have demonstrated resilience and adaptability while leading my team through periods of significant change, maintaining morale and fostering trust.
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Re-prioritized work and adjusted team focus during cost containment initiatives, ensuring critical objectives were met while supporting team members through uncertainty.
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Provided steady leadership following layoffs, helping the team rebuild trust, align on new priorities, and stay motivated despite reduced resources.
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Guided my team’s transition back onsite by balancing organizational goals with individual needs, addressing concerns with empathy, and maintaining high levels of engagement.
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Foster open communication and transparency during times of change, ensuring team members felt informed, valued, and supported.
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Built a culture of trust and collaboration by empowering team members to navigate challenges, embrace change, and contribute to shared goals.
This ability to lead effectively during periods of transition has strengthened my team’s resilience, alignment, and commitment to success.
This holistic and authentic leadership style has not only delivered results but also fostered a culture of trust, collaboration, and opportunity. My team’s testimonials reflect their appreciation for my supportive and empowering approach.
Fostering belonging and empowering teams
INCLUSIVE CULTURE
I partner with Human Resources and cross-functional teams to develop programs, training, and resources that foster career growth, leader development, belonging, and an inclusive workplace culture. My focus is on equipping leaders and employees to thrive while advancing strategic organizational goals. Key accomplishments include:
Training and Resources: Developed comprehensive training programs and resources to support career and leadership growth.
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Designed and delivered comprehensive training programs and resources to support career growth, leadership development, and workplace culture transformation.
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Partnered with HR to develop training modules, playbooks, and toolkits on career progression, leadership effectiveness, and fostering a positive workplace environment.
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Created and co-led the Leader Learning Series (Mission Series), providing bi-monthly sessions on leadership, psychological safety, and team empowerment.
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Developed a Welcome Kit for new hires, introducing them to key employee programs, leadership development resources, and career growth opportunities.
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Authored a Resource Guide, outlining company values, workplace strategies, professional development opportunities, and engagement resources.
Advocacy & Inclusion Initiatives: Driving initiatives that promote inclusion, belonging, and equity across the organization.
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Launched programs to equip employees with resources for leadership development, effective communication, and collaboration.
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Partnered with finance to establish charge codes for employee engagement activities, enabling broader participation in professional development programs.
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Presented to 500+ leaders on cultivating a workplace culture that fosters engagement, innovation, and psychological safety.
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Organized and promoted a Leadership Awareness Panel, featuring discussions on accessibility, hiring best practices, and career advancement strategies.
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Facilitated Bias Awareness Training for teams and at offsite leadership events to enhance awareness and support effective decision-making.
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Launched the Foster Care Speaker Series, coordinating a three-part event featuring Iowa legislators and foster care advocates, including Iowa State Representative Renee Schulte and Senator Chuck Grassley.
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Developed the agenda and talking points for the annual Day on the Hill Advocacy Event, enabling Junior League members to engage policymakers, meet lobbyists, and drive legislative action in Des Moines, Iowa.
Professional Development: Empowering employees to grow and succeed through targeted development opportunities.
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Spearheaded four breakout sessions for the Open Door Symposium, an early-career development conference, by curating topics, managing logistics, and directing volunteers.
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Lead a quarterly professional development book club, selecting books, facilitating discussions, and driving leadership conversations.
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Co-host bi-weekly “I Want to Grow” career development sessions, providing employees with insights into career paths, skills development, and internal mobility opportunities.
Fostering Team Culture: Strengthening team dynamics and alignment through innovative cultural initiatives.
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Designed and launched the CMS Culture Initiative, leveraging survey insights to assess team strengths and gaps, provide resources, and track progress toward a more collaborative and aligned workforce.
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Partnered with leaders to craft and implement the Mission Systems Vision, aligning strategic goals and cultural integration following the business unit merger.
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Led Workplace Recognition Programs, organizing award ceremonies to recognize high-performing employees and key contributors.
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Planned and facilitated quarterly “Pulse on Growth” workshops, creating space for employees to share workplace challenges and discuss strategies for career advancement.
This comprehensive approach to inclusion, culture, and development creates opportunities for employees to thrive, fosters belonging, and strengthens organizational success.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Driving success through strategic initiatives
I have consistently led complex projects to successful outcomes, balancing strategy, execution, and collaboration. Below are examples of projects that showcase my expertise in aligning resources, managing timelines, and delivering measurable results.
Transforming Communication Culture: Communication Connections
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Objective: Enhance organizational communication culture by fostering transparency and employee engagement.
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Actions Taken:
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Developed a monthly newsletter to provide updates, share wins, and highlight team achievements.
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Created a dedicated social site for employees to connect, discuss projects, and share feedback.
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Established multiple channels for employees to provide feedback to senior leadership, promoting inclusivity and trust.
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Impact: Improved employee engagement and established a direct connection between leadership and staff, enhancing morale and transparency.
Post-Merger Integration Leadership: One Mission Systems
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Objective: Integrate tools, processes, and teams following the merger of multiple businesses.
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Actions Taken:
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Conducted a comprehensive evaluation of existing workflows and tools across merged businesses.
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Developed and implemented a gated review process for project alignment.
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Launched a learning curriculum to onboard teams to new systems and processes.
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Established feedback loops to ensure continual improvement and employee satisfaction.
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Impact: Standardized operations across the organization, improving efficiency and predictability in program execution.
Fostering a Culture of Learning: Center of Learning
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Objective: Create a central learning repository to support professional growth and business success.
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Actions Taken:
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Surveyed employees to identify learning needs and gaps.
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Facilitated focus groups to understand challenges and opportunities.
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Drafted a business plan and secured executive buy-in to increase training resources.
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Cataloged existing training programs and developed a roadmap for long-term learning initiatives.
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Impact: Empowered employees with accessible learning resources, fostering a culture of continuous development and innovation.
Recognizing Excellence: Support Person of the Year Award
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Objective: Create a recognition program celebrating outstanding contributions by support staff.
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Actions Taken:
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Secured executive leadership’s support for the initiative.
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Defined award criteria, eligibility requirements, and selection processes.
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Planned the award ceremony, including physical award production, logo design, and a custom ceremony video.
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Impact: Boosted morale among support staff and highlighted their critical contributions to organizational success.
Driving Brand Growth: Storage Theory Brand Launch
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Objective: Launch a new brand and three innovative products while establishing a long-term product lifecycle process.
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Actions Taken:
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Spearheaded brainstorming sessions resulting in dozens of viable product ideas.
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Designed the product lifecycle process from ideation to production.
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Managed the website launch and authored promotional content for industry publications.
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Oversaw Amazon listings, optimizing content for visibility and conversions.
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Impact: Successfully launched three products and positioned the brand for sustained growth in the market.
Executing High-Profile Projects: Ladies Titan Tire Challenge
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Objective: Lead media and marketing efforts for a professional LPGA Futures Tour golf tournament.
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Actions Taken:
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Organized press conferences and developed press materials, including releases and a social media strategy.
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Negotiated in-kind sponsorships and advertising partnerships to maximize exposure.
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Worked directly with the press to ensure comprehensive event coverage.
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Impact: Elevated the tournament’s visibility, attracting increased attendance and sponsorships.
Streamlining Operations: Point-of-Sale System Implementation
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Objective: Improve inventory tracking, reduce errors, and enhance customer service.
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Actions Taken:
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Led the implementation of a new point-of-sale system to streamline operations.
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Redesigned the inventory receiving process for greater accuracy and efficiency.
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Integrated Google Analytics to gather insights into customer preferences and buying habits.
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Impact: Reduced shipping errors, enhanced customer satisfaction, and optimized operational efficiency.
This portfolio of projects demonstrates my ability to lead diverse initiatives that drive measurable success. From enhancing internal operations to launching market-facing products, my project management skills ensure goals are met with precision, creativity, and impact.
CHANGE & KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT
Leading transitions and empowering knowledge sharing
I excel in designing and implementing change management strategies and knowledge-sharing solutions that enable smooth transitions, foster adoption, and enhance organizational learning. Below are examples of initiatives that demonstrate my ability to align people, processes, and tools during periods of change and growth.
Empowering Teams to Lead Change: Change Management Training Repository
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Objective: Provide teams with resources to independently drive change and enhance adoption rates.
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Actions Taken:
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Created a comprehensive repository featuring templates, communication thought starters, stakeholder engagement tips, and resistance management techniques.
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Included step-by-step instructions for creating a change champion network and developing effective training programs.
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Impact: Empowered teams to take ownership of change initiatives, improving success rates and accelerating adoption.
Centralizing Operations Post-Merger: Project Unify
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Objective: Align administrative assistants across the organization following a merger.
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Actions Taken:
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Developed a change management plan to centralize roles, share best practices, and align responsibilities.
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Hosted workshops to identify pain points and solutions, fostering collaboration among teams.
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Impact: Improved efficiency, reduced duplication of effort, and created a cohesive support structure across the business.
Facilitating a Seamless Technology Transition: Microsoft 365 Transition
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Objective: Transition employees from Google to Microsoft 365 with minimal disruption.
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Actions Taken:
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Partnered with Digital Technology to create a comprehensive change management plan.
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Published a transition playbook, including tips, best practices, and “Did You Know?” articles for employee support.
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Delivered presentations at leadership meetings, town halls, and all-hands sessions to communicate updates and answer questions.
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Impact: Ensured a seamless transition, increased employee proficiency with new tools, and minimized downtime.
Navigating Divestitures with Transparency: Military GPS Acquisition
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Objective: Facilitate the sale of a business segment while supporting both transitioning and remaining employees.
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Actions Taken:
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Designed a transparent communication plan to keep employees informed during the transition.
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Identified key stakeholders to train new staff and created a documentation library for processes and procedures.
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Impact: Maintained business continuity and ensured a smooth transition for all stakeholders involved.
Promoting Agile Practices: Agile Course Creation
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Objective: Develop training curriculum to support Agile transformations across the organization.
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Actions Taken:
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Partnered with the Agile Conversion Team to create the Product Owner Workshop and Leading Agile Teams courses.
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Designed interactive exercises to enhance engagement and comprehension.
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Marketed the courses to ensure maximum participation and impact.
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Impact: Increased understanding of Agile principles, leading to more efficient and collaborative team workflows.
Enhancing Organizational Transparency: Integration Newsletter
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Objective: Improve communication and transparency during significant organizational changes, including mergers and the transition to remote work.
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Actions Taken:
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Designed and published a monthly newsletter to provide updates on staffing changes, process improvements, and integration milestones.
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Included insights and best practices to help employees navigate transitions effectively.
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Impact: Fostered a sense of stability and clarity during times of uncertainty.
Building Knowledge-Sharing Culture: Knowledge Management Portal
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Objective: Centralize tools, resources, and best practices to enhance organizational knowledge sharing.
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Actions Taken:
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Developed a portal with templates, onboarding resources, mentorship guides, and process-based knowledge maps.
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Included tools for employee handoffs, coaching resources, and sponsorship support.
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Impact: Created a one-stop shop for knowledge sharing, improving efficiency and collaboration across teams.
Supporting New Ways of Working: Role and Organizational Design Playbook
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Objective: Standardize program team structures and roles across the business unit.
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Actions Taken:
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Partnered with stakeholders to define role descriptions, organizational frameworks, and best practices.
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Published a playbook to guide teams through pursuit, order capture, and program planning phases.
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Impact: Fostered predictable execution and alignment across programs, supporting both new and established teams.
Through thoughtful change management and knowledge-sharing initiatives, I’ve helped organizations adapt to change, embrace innovation, and create sustainable frameworks for success. These efforts not only improve operational efficiency but also strengthen team resilience and engagement during transitions.