PROFILE
A dynamic president and chief officer who amplifies bottom-line growth in both profit and non-profit sectors through operational optimization and robust relationship cultivation, contributing to organizations being recognized as leading service/product providers. A valued member of executive teams and boards with a leadership style incorporating collaboration, problem-solving, and a foundation of mutual respect. Demonstrated strategic implementation combined with financial acumen reflected in impactful performance results and inclusive change management. Passion for scaling systems and outcomes with an unwavering focus on advocating for marginalized communities.
HIGHLIGHTED STRENGTHS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
High-integrity leader known for acting quickly and boldly to link strategy, operations, and people processes to drive performance-based results.
Continuous Improvement
Strategic Planning
Board/Public Relations
Partnership Alignment
Cross-Functional Leadership
Change Management
Performance Management
Financial Analysis
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
IMPACT INTERSECTION - LLC, Fort Lauderdale, FL., Chicago, IL 2023 - Present
A purpose-driven professional services firm that partners with socially conscious small to middle market organizations, both for-profit and nonprofits, to create a lasting, sustainable impact.
President
Directly assisting the leadership team of a K-12 school system in a multi-phased strategy implementation and management process. Designed a framework, organization structure, processes, and templates for implementing high-priority initiatives.
EASTERSEALS SOUTH FLORIDA, Miami, FL 2021 – 2023
Led the creation of a multi-year strategic plan while realigning support functions to efficiently and effectively support the growth initiatives of the multiple programs for this health and human services non-profit. Stabilized the agency (post-COVID), set the vision, led programs/operations, and established a secure funding model.
President & Chief Executive Officer
Led an integrated team of subject-matter experts, an ad-hoc board committee, and McKinsey consultants; developed strategic roadmap, goals, and initiatives ranging from 2x-7x return on investment for every $1 invested.
Facilitated the divesture of assets resulting in the doubling of the Fund Balance; completed competitive Request for Proposal process for investment firm and selected a new provider with a more transparent fee structure, improved reporting, and performance benchmarking.
Shifted focus to Program quality by minimizing the number of new initiatives; increased tracking and transparency of agency priorities resulting in 90% of outcomes achieved for fiscal year 2022.
Worked with donors, partners, and board to invest in administrative and support functions capacity-building; obtained advisory services from a Big-4 professional services firm to assess the IT function and systems (estimated at $150k of in-kind support); identified opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Recruited highly talented senior leaders and onboarded seven new Board members expanding diversity and subject-matter-expertise; collaboratively involved in external boards, committees, and coalitions.
BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 2012 – 2021
Served as an instrumental member of the Superintendent's cabinet. Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders to develop strategic plans. Led system-wide change management and continuous improvement efforts. Prioritized initiatives, restructured and upgraded talent, and collaborated with a broad coalition of stakeholders to improve student outcomes, policies, data transparency, and accountability for the sixth-largest school District in the United States. $4.5 billion budget, 232 schools, 26,000 employees serving over 270,000 students.
Chief Strategy and Operations Officer
Streamlined the Property & Plant Operations department to redirect $22 million to prioritized safety initiatives including expanding school custodians, personal protective equipment, and indoor air quality improvements.
Co-led, with Chief Finance Officer, the 2019-20 budget realignment of $25 million for academic and safety priorities; reduced non-school discretionary spending by 10%, reduced department salary budget $2 million.
Launched an Office of Economic Equity and Diversity Compliance; implemented a new Board policy leading to a $14 million increase (versus baseline) and 27% of construction spending going to small/minority enterprises.
Lead key improvements in administrative and support service areas including technology, transportation, business support center, food services, purchasing & warehousing, property & plant operations, and related operational areas. 80% of key performance indicators tracking in a positive direction.
Co-developed the 2012-15 district strategic plan: Updated the strategic plan for 2016-19. Launched an innovative Strategy Management function responsible for overseeing the implementation of the strategic plan; enabled a 5% average increase in year-1 student outcomes.
Led district-wide continuous improvement initiatives: created and implemented a new performance management process, new IT Project Management Office, and a budget-realignment initiative.
NETWORK FOR TEACHING ENTREPRENEURSHIP (NFTE-Chicago), Chicago, IL 2010 – 2012
Developed, cultivated and managed relationships with all constituencies, including teachers/students, academic partners, business partners, and community organizations resulting in the creation of a partnership growth model. Created value proposition for our entrepreneurship training and education programs focused on young people from low-income urban communities.
Program Director
Created a sustainable partnership growth model and school recruitment process, yielding consecutive year increases totaling 60%.
Improved budget forecast model and implemented an actionable monthly tracking/reporting process; increased FY’11 budget transparency, identifying 3% program expense savings for relocation to strategic priorities.
Collaborate with national headquarters and other NFTE program offices to capture and share best practices.
MANAGEMENT ADVISORY SERVICES, Chicago, IL 2008 – 2012
An independent management consultant who engaged cross-sections of managers, staff, and volunteers in the development of goals and plans; presented recommendations to senior leadership. Specialized in serving medium/large education and community action organizations.
Principal Advisor
Assessed the viability of a new business venture for a regional, shared services organization; market research and financial analysis led to three business model alternatives; facilitated commercialization discussions.
Conducted complex capacity analysis across operational elements (strategic planning, management, accounting/finance, facilities, and technology) resulting in a 1.9 out of 4.0 capacity rating; identified performance issues and implementation plan to include tools, templates and a process for tracking implementation success.
CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Chicago, IL 2004 – 2008
Provided direct management of the Information Technology Services (ITS) leadership team, enabling the Chief Information Officer to focus efforts on implementing a multi-year Student Information systems upgrade. Supported the reallocation of resources and launched innovative programs that improved the efficient delivery of services for the third-largest school district in the United States with a $5.8 billion budget serving approximately 400,000 students.
Deputy-Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Contributed to initiatives totaling approximately 20% recurring operational cost savings/ reallocations annually, while increasing services and expanding infrastructure.
Supported District-wide, organizational de-layering (downsizing) initiative by managing ITS divisional process resulting in 8% staff reduction and $4 million in cost savings.
Implemented new budgeting process; improved transparency (tracking and reporting) reducing the annual roll-over/ underutilized funding from 8-10% per year to less than 2% per year.
Created and implemented ITS divisional programs such as the Vendor Management Office and Project Management Office that were expanded to focus on standards and processes for the central office organization
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
HARVEST – RESOURCE OPTIMIZATION ADVISORS (ROA), LLC, Chicago, IL
A start-up Management Education firm focused on improving management skills/behavior for small to mid-size organizations.
President & CEO
PwC - MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES, Chicago, IL
PricewaterhouseCoopers is a multinational professional services network that provides multiple services to Fortune 500 companies: Corporate and Operations strategy practice.
Principal Consultant, Consultant
PEPSICO (THE QUAKER OATS COMPANY), California, Washington, Illinois
An international manufacturer and marketer of food and beverage products. Corporate finance and national sales organization.
Senior Financial Analyst, Financial Analyst:
Account Executive, Customer Manager, Sales Representative, Retail Representative
EDUCATION
KELLOGG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT - NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, Evanston, IL
Master of Business Administration (MBA). Majors in Management & Strategy and Finance.
Executive Scholar; Non-profit Management
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY – SACRAMENTO, Sacramento, CA
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Concentrations in Finance and Economics.