Project Manager Management

Mary Ellen Curto

Transformational Finance, Talent and Operations Professional

Senior leader with 20 years experience in business operational excellence, organizational transformation, talent development, compliance and quality delivery models.

2021 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20033

301-***-**** **************@*****.***

@MaryCurto www.linkedin.com/in/maryellencurto

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

DIRECTOR

B2E CONSULTING SERVICES, LLC 2014 – Present

Organizational Change Management Consultant practice providing strategic and operational expertise to companies to achieve excellence. Client projects include:

OTSUKA COMPANIES (US)

$17B global Japanese-based pharmaceutical & nutraceutical conglomerate: Organizational Change Management Consultant (OCM):

OCM to a high-level team serving five Otsuka operating companies, responsible for leading and delivering change management projects to reduce operational expenses by 30% in 18 months.

Partners with Program Directors, Business Unit Heads, and Enterprise Management Directors: SME on implementation of Corporate-wide Shared Services model.

PARADYME MANAGEMENT INC.

Federal government contractor delivering Cyber IT services to State Department. Director of Corporate Services & Quality

Implemented comprehensive compliance program policies & procedures for HubZone, FAR, EEOC, DCAA, and GAAP.Develops the quality agenda including position on quality metrics, quality improvement initiatives, and develops benchmarking tools. Project Manager for CMMI and ISO certifications.

Executes organizational growth strategy by leading the entire infrastructure process end to end.

Implemented centralized technology financials and human resources to Deltek Costpoint, Salesforce, and Mavenlink.

Design & implement best-in-class HR program; performance process, professional development planning, comprehensive training program, mentor program, and leadership transition plan. Implemented ATS system, developed Affirmative Action plan including regular reporting, and metrics.

IECA FOUNDATION

501-C-3 educational Foundation providing grants to organizations that provide services for under-served students. Executive Director:

Lead IECA Foundation’s strategic planning process.

Lead and implement diverse and expanded funding strategies that ensure organizational sustainability and that meet/exceed growth goals. Cultivate and build relationships with key donors, community leaders, and other stakeholders.

Oversee all aspects of budgeting and finance including audits and official reviews. Assure that IECA Foundation handles all funds and reports.

VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE & OPERATIONS

CORPORATION FOR TRAVEL PROMOTION Jan 2012 to Dec 2013

Recruited as the first COO / VP of Operations & Finance to provide the operations management and strategic direction in executing the business strategy for an ambitious multi-year, multi-stakeholder initiative (complex public-private entity) 501-C-6 receiving $100 million in federal funds and matching with $100 million in private donations.

BUILT BEST-IN-CLASS INFRASTRUCTURE

•Executed the multi-year business plan that conducted benchmarking and SWOT analysis, defined a value proposition, outlined target clients/members/partners, developed 3-year growth plan and revenue generation model based on industry and target member/client group.

•Directed four division direct reports – Operations/Partner/Member Services, Compliance, IT and Legal, and managed the outsourced functions of Accounting and Human Resources. Responsible for 35 indirect reports.

•Accomplished the 10% G&A benchmark to insure 90% enterprise investment in mission-critical programs.

ACHIEVED DISCIPLINE IN COST AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT:

•Designed a data-driven dashboard of industry-based metrics analyzing program ROI and providing transparency in communicating results and impacts to Board, Department of Commerce, and Congressional accountability agencies.

•Key driver in developing and implementing disciplined standard operating policies and procedures in accordance with complex compliance requirements including; OMB A133, GAAP, EEOC, OSHA, FAR, and ERISA.

•Positioned Brand USA to substantiate the ROI for all programs and initiatives resulting in the Congressional Reauthorization of the organization in FY2015.

•Developed and implemented Cash Flow and Investment Strategy.

OPTIMIZED TEAM PERFORMANCE/ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

•Developed the talent acquisition and pipeline program, recruited and hired 43 staff in 6 months (C-suites / VP’s/ Directors, support staff) creating a potent, collaborative and high-functioning interdisciplinary team capable of advancing Brand USA’s mission.

•implemented professional development program of learning & leadership strategies and implemented an exciting and motivating employee onboarding program to create positive employee participation from the first day.

•Established FAR-based hiring metrics for diversity program and exceeded hiring goals by 25% in the first year.

FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

AMERICAN HIGH-SPEED RAIL ALLIANCE 2009 to 2011

Founder/Incorporator of a non-profit 501(c) (6) association chartered to develop and implement a national high-speed passenger rail system in the US.

LED ESTABLISHMENT, OPERATIONS & STRATEGIC DIRECTION

Relationship building with high-level individuals, as well as, corporate and partner organizations for maintaining and growing public support at the state, national and international levels resulting in a first-year membership base of $500,000.

Implemented and lead the strategic branding and public relations campaign that focused on C-level executives in the global manufacturing industry, global heads of transportation government agencies, unions, international professional service firms, and public-private partnerships. Designed and produced media campaigns and educational outreach programs by working closely with top-tier public relations firms, such as Edelman, K Global and Fleishman Hilliard.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

GROUP GOETZ ARCHITECTS, LLC 1999 to 2009

Internationally recognized Planning, Engineering, Architectural and Corporate design firm with offices in London, Bogota, and Beijing.

•Promoted strategic partner alliances resulting in larger-scale, highly profitable projects in the global marketplace, transitioning the firm to international status and recognition. Navigated the company’s growth, opened 3 new offices in Europe, South America and China, developed the culture and talent necessary to execute the deliverables of the firms expanded market requirements.

•Hired 400 professionals; partners, principals, project managers, business development & marketing staff. Developed all Employee Relations (and communication protocols) to Incentivize and recognize employee development in the execution of organizations expanded mission and goals.

•Developed a comprehensive performance management plan in alignment of the firm’s strategic plan and mission to create a deliver team-based culture at the forefront of technology, LEED design renewable standards, and international award standards.

SKILLS

LEADING INITIATIVES - As the first VP of Finance and

Operations, for a $200M 501-C-6, was responsible for the positive branding, overall success and profitability of the organization’s initiatives by overseeing the launch initiative; providing direction on the longer-term strategies, partnering with business development in market plans, and leading cross-functional collaboration teams and programs. Expertise in developing partnership

and relationships to Board, Committees, and Executive Team members.

LEADING CHANGE –Change Management Consultant to a

$17 billion Japanese conglomerate, part of a cross-functional

initiative to achieve operational transformation and excellence by

repositioning Otsuka departments of finance, accounting, HR,

procurement, compliance, IT-ERP to Strategic Sourcing model.

LEADING PEOPLE – As the Executive Director for AHSRA, a

start-up, 501-C-6, augmented staff of 3 senior professionals

capacities by hiring 10 interns and entry level professionals.

Developed a program for senior staff to mentor and provide

knowledge transfer to the newer staff, asked the junior staff to

teach the senior staff how to use smart phones, computer

programs, and advanced social media.

BUSINESS ACUMEN – As the CFO/COO of a GGA, LLC

developed and directed the global strategic branding and

operations strategy. Held primary responsibility for bringing the

customer’s voice to drive positive impact and increase the

revenue of the firm. Developed a comprehensive Client

Satisfaction and Retention Plan resulting in the business’

growth from a $3 million (small regional business) into an

international, award-winning firm with revenues over $25 million.

EDUCATION

Business and Finance

MBA

University of Maryland, University College

College Park, MD

HIGHLIGHTS

Positioned Brand USA to quantify and substantiate

ROI, receiving Congressional Reauthorization in FY2015

Launched American High-Speed Rail Alliance as a 501-C-6,

served as the 1st Executive Director and established a legislative

agenda within the first year of operation

Completed Otsuka Organizational Change Management

program on-time and on-budget saving 30% in expenses per

year while increasing compliance by 10% through implementation

of smart technologies

Navigated GGA’s growth and evolution from a mid-Atlantic

commercial real estate, planning and commercial architecture

firm into an internationally recognized boutique firm with offices

in Europe, South America & China

Exceeded diversity metrics at Brand USA in less than six months

based on a Congressional mandate from 23% to 65%

SME expertise in Compliance for A133, FAR, GAAP,

ERISA, EEOC, IFRS, SOX, J-SOX, ACA, FAR

Implemented an improved, digital performance management

program, professional development and career pathing, and

metric based incentive compensation program at Paradyme,

resulting in “Best Places to Work”

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Project Management Specialist - CPMS

Certified Association Executive - CAE

Certified Change Management Professional – CCM

Professional Project Manager - PPM

TECHNICAL

ERP Systems- Oracle, PeopleSoft, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics

CRM-Salesforce, HubSpot, CRM4M, SharePoint, Mail Chimp, Constant Contact

Financial - QuickBooks, Unanet, Deltek Costpoint, Great Plains, Microsoft FRx, and AcceLIM, Concur, Conduet

Strong Microsoft Office skills, Excel – PowerPoint, Fastkitpack, Haiku Deck

HRIS - @Work, Workable, PerformancPro, Halogen

Digital Media Tools - Pixlr, Zoh0

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