Accomplished Program Manager with experience driving program development in the e-commerce and SaaS industry, using data analytics to increase automations and optimize digital strategy. Operations Leader with progressively advancing experience, outperforming business development, technical KPIs, and customer retention goals. Dynamic leader, rallying diverse teams to overcome challenges and operationalize the change initiatives. Entrepreneurial minded, building a business and multiple products from grassroots to a thriving financially successful venture.
Professional Experience
CEO & Co-Founder | Lake Valley Education
2019 – Present
- Founded the organization to fill online professional development product gaps by targeting underserved content areas, leading daily operations to ensure seamless program delivery.
- Utilized data analytics and market research to develop an online professional development course specifically targeting new and underprepared visual art educators.
- Researched the needs of clients and iterated on products to meet client needs in collaboration with a team of UX Designers, Software Developers, and Subject Matter Experts.
- Developed and marketed a new product, growing sales from the ground up, developing a sustainable business in the first five years by strategizing and implementing a nationwide sales plan, resulting in successful sale of the program.
- Drove automations by working with clients to understand their needs and collaborating with the engineering team to develop an automated inactivity reminder and activity tracker.
Program Manager | Shopify
2022 – 2023
- Oversaw daily operations and program development, leading and communicating revenue initiatives, program plans, goals, and priorities for contributors and leadership.
- Identified problems and generated solutions, driving automations, digital transformations, and quality assurance for cross-functional business operations.
- Achieved business objectives by creating and facilitating program direction, stakeholder management, and roadmap development.
- Identified and created new paths for improvement, moving programs and initiatives forward using Agile framework.
Content Supervisor | Brevard Public Schools
2018 – 2019
- Led a team of 120+ teachers, enforcing Federal and State policy and curriculum implementation to ensure a high-quality and student-first teaching approach.
- Increased staff engagement and growth by using data analysis and staff input to create a process for professional development.
- Managed a multi-six figure budget, analyzing budget resources and implanting strategies for more effective and sustainable use of funds.
Visual Art Educator | Longleaf Elementary School
2013 – 2018
- Awarded the Florida Arts Model School distinction for an outstanding visual art program 2015-2021
- Served as a mentor to Central Elementary, Okeechoobee, to assist in developing a visual arts program
- Maintained and repaired classroom equipment, including the kiln and other ceramics equipment
Visual Art Educator | Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
2012 -2013
- Planned and implemented standards based visual arts instruction and cross-curricular instruction
- Created a mural based on the school’s core values with members of the art club
- Developed a partnership with Eastern Surf Magazine to provide donations for all students
Visual Art Educator | Woodlawn Elementary School
2011 – 2012
- Designed and implemented lessons aligned with Fairfax County Public School Visual Art Curriculum
- Planned and implemented a supplementary pottery wheel class for grades 4 and 6
- Co-taught regular education classes with special education (ED) students
Visual Art Educator | West Pender Middle School
2009 – 2010
- Designed and implemented visual arts units aligned with core curriculum areas
- Coordinated fund raisers for visual art supplies, physical education, equipment repairs, and to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for students
- Collaborated with community merchants, parents, and staff to develop programs and curriculum
- Initiated and supervised school beautification projects, including several murals and a new school logo designed by students
Visual Art Educator | Kapaa Middle School
2007 – 2009
- Designed and implemented visual art units aligned with core content areas
- Developed a network of local artists and professionals to provide enrichment opportunities
- Initiated technology upgrades and curriculum modifications to accommodate student needs and interests
- Focused class structure on building relationships, a component of the “Middle School Concept”
Visual Art Educator | Hesse and Otis Brock Elementary Schools
2006 – 2007
- Integrated core content with visual art units to create relevant lessons and aid student retention
- Collaborated with faculty to develop inter-curricular units to stimulate student engagement
- Created challenging learning communities by co-teaching with faculty in core content areas
Education
Masters Degree, Master of Art in Teaching, 2006
Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Bachelors Degree, Fine Art, 2005
Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL
Related Experience
Brevard Zoo – Melbourne, FL – Summer Art Camp 2015 – 2017
- Designed and presented several lessons to zoo camp attendees in elementary school based on recycling and visual art
- Supervised Zoo Teens as Teaching Assistants
AVID Program Site Coordinator -2008-2009 Kapaa Middle School, Kauai, Hawaii
- Supervised implementation of AVID Program in accordance with grant requirements
- Coordinated professional development, student recruitment and selection, and faculty articulation
- Collaborated with community, schools, parents, and students to ensure successful implementation
- Communicated implementation progress to Superintendent and GEAR UP/Hawaii Dept. of Education
Holomua After School Program – 1/19/2009 to 5/13/2009
Kapaa Middle School, Kapaa, Hawaii
- Developed and implemented an in-depth ceramics course covering hand-building and throwing techniques, as well as the glazing and firing process
Hawaii Board of Education/Kauai Complex – Kapaa, Hawaii – 4/27/2007 to 6/8/2007
Kapaa Middle School
- Provided daily assistance in area of highest demand; such as, administering state tests, substitute teaching, and organizing school curriculum materials
Mount Hope Learning Center – Providence, Rhode Island – 8/2005 to 11/2005
Martin Luther King Elementary School
- Taught art enrichment classes, developed curriculum, and tutored language arts for grade 2
Upward Bound – Federal TRIO Program – Greeneville, Tennessee – 1999 to 2002
Tusculum College
- Theatre instructor for intensive 6 week summer resident program for grades 9 – 12
- Directed and produced full-scale productions including public performances
- Coordinated annual field trip to tour semi-professional theatres and watch performances
Professional Affiliations
- National Art Education Association
- California Art Education Association
- National Education Association
- American Craft Council
- VSA Arts
- College Art Association
Professional Development and Training
- Florida Art Education Association Annual Conference Workshop Presenter – 2016
- BPS Visual Art Professional Development Day Workshop Presenter – 2014 and 2016
- Visual Arts Textbook Adoption Committee – BPS, 2016-2017
- Visual Arts Curriculum Writing Team – BPS, 2014-2015
- Child Abuse and Neglect: Recognizing, Reporting and Responding for Educators by VA Dept. of Social Services – December 2011
- NCDPI Writing Across the Curriculum – December 2009
- NCDPI Assessing Writing Across the Curriculum – December 2009
- AVID Summer Institute – Sacramento, California – July 2008
- AVID / College Board National Conference – San Diego, California – March 2008
- AVID Coordinator and Site Team Workshops – Honolulu, Hawaii – 2007 to 2009
- Lighthouse Project with Dr. Bruce Matsui – Kapaa, Hawaii – 7/2007 to 10/2007
- Hawaii Standards & Curriculum Development for Visual Art – Honolulu, Hawaii – 2007
- Computer Literacy in the Classroom Program Training – Honolulu, Hawaii – 2007
Exhibitions
Georgia Art Education Association Juried Exhibition, Red Shoes, acrylic on canvas, Valdosta, Georgia 2007
Art Almost As Good As This, Crossley Gallery, Ringling School of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL 2005
Pantone Process Uncoated, Crossley Gallery, Sarasota, FL 2005
Best of Ringling, St. James at the Exxon, etching, Selby Gallery, Ringling School of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL 2005
On The Outskirts of Town, Artist Retrospective, Mason House Gallery, Greeneville, TN 2004
Best of CORE, 1941 dress, pattern paper/mixed media, Selby Gallery, Ringling School of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL 2001