MICHAL (MICHELLE) LESNER

acw3jb@r.postjobfree.com Los Angeles, CA 90025

M: 310-***-**** http://www.linkedin.com/in/michallesner/

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Organizational Change Operational Excellence Relationship Development Strategic Communication

Summary

Analytical and results-driven executive recognized for unwavering integrity and fostering strong accountable teams, with progressive experience shaping and leading world-class organizations with a keen focus on operational excellence. Innovative and transformational leader regarded for an unmatched ability to build consensus and foster relationships with a shared sense of purpose.

Combines expertise in steering vision, strategic planning, multi-million dollar budgeting, logistics, and executive-caliber communication to engage staff, executives, and governing boards alike. Respected by peers as a visionary, strategist and tactician, with a strong history of delivering extraordinary results in growth, and operational performance. Excels at driving change and utilizing broad knowledge scope to consistently surpass business goals, improve operations and increase profitability.

Leadership & Development Organizational Change Management Operations Management Team Building

Vendor Management Negotiations Fundraising Multi-Million Dollar Budgets Contract Negotiations

System Implementations Policy & Procedure Development Financial Oversight Process Improvement

Human Resources & Employee Relations Facility Management Customer Service Team Mentor

Cross-Functional Communications Organizational Leadership Non-Profit Strategy & Management

Strategic Planning Due Diligence Cost Control Deal Structuring Quality Assurance & Improvement

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

ADAT ARI EL, 2014 – Present

Executive Director

Provided pro-active, decisive, hands-on leadership and successfully managed extensive organizational turnaround efforts for multi-service organization. Implemented fundamental operational changes in all entities. Developed and instituted management processes and procedures throughout the organization, streamlining daily communications and operations, increasing efficiency, and ensuring deadline compliance.

Managed and directed a wide range of strategic planning, financial analysis and organizational management functions for an entity with multiple operation units. Established team building activities to improve efficiency and organizational culture via a strategic change management initiative. Fostered an atmosphere of empowerment and accountability while motivating and mentoring staff. Implemented major reforms to accounts receivable, collections, human resources, information technology, communications and general operations.

Oversee all activities, including development and management of multi-million dollar budgets, monthly reconciliations, human resources, information technology, team building, and account analysis and review.

Selected Achievements:

Orchestrated and developed financial and operational strategic plan for the Accounting Department. Evaluated existing staff and formed new processes incorporating internal control, accountability and logical segregation.

Restructured cash management and control systems reducing short-term financing resulting in paying down two lines of credit of over $900,000.

Initiated and successfully negotiated refinancing of multimillion dollar bank loans which saved the organization over $82,000.

Successfully transformed over $1 million in aging account receivables, collecting over $890,000 and establishing a collection rate of 98%.

MICHAL LESNER Page 2 acw3jb@r.postjobfree.com

ADAT ARI EL, Continued

Created management and financial reports designed to improve operations and develop strategic plans.

Implemented standardized approach to eliminate duplicate tasks and restore cost efficiencies and cost savings. Reallocated staff hours and hired a purchasing agent which unified the silos under a single entity to develop one organizational purchasing system.

Supervised relationships with auditors, insurance brokers, banking institutions and corporate legal counsel to manage audits, cash and credit management, negotiation of agreements and human resource issues.

Unified all departments and operating units under a single entity. Conducted due diligence, introduced vendor bidding, maintained and negotiated new financing contracts realizing a 30% reduction on the communication bill as well as reductions of percentage charged by the credit card vendor by switching credit card merchant. Negotiated medical insurance rate and changed renewal date, resulting in over $20,000 of savings.

Oversaw the complete overhaul of communications across the organization including the hiring of a communications consultant and establishing an editing and quality control process for all published communications materials.

Overhauled IT resources replacing outdated communication and software systems to cloud computing which increased ease and efficiency of communication, and secured significant savings on hardware costs.

Transformed and boosted staff moral by enhanced interdepartmental communication and inspired staff members to work as a team. Attracted and retained talented staff.

Revised employee handbook to clarify rules, ensure employment laws and regulations compliance. Oversaw all legal and personnel issues. Restructured and reduced overtime costs to zero by implementing approval process designed to eliminate overtime misuse. Facilitated checks and balances system for all HR activities.

WILSHIRE BOULEVARD TEMPLE, 2008 – 2013

Associate Executive Director

Expertly commanded strategy and day-to-day performance of multi-site organization, including Temple, schools, and camp. Directly supervised fiscal activities across multiple schools and departments, including development and management of multi-million dollar budgets. Skillfully directed strategic development and execution of projects on behalf of the Board of Directors, and acted as advisor on Board-related governance matters.

Selected Achievements:

Successfully eliminated 43% of expense while improving deliverables through strategic contract negotiations of existing contracts and outsourcing opportunities.

Streamlined operations and increased efficiency by 60% through strategic development and institution of new Information Technology and Database departments.

Embraced challenge of revamping communications by establishing monthly meetings to review existing policies and procedures, address staff concerns, and identify areas for improvement.

Key driver in high-level operational initiatives, including infrastructure design, process reengineering, turnaround management, and reorganization.

MICHAL LESNER Page 3 acw3jb@r.postjobfree.com

STEPHEN S. WISE TEMPLE, 1992 – 2008

Director of Information Technology (2004 – 2008)

Operations Manager (1992 – 2004)

Streamlined day-to-day operations through development and execution of strategic processes and procedures. Established successful technology department for three schools from the ground up, with oversight of more than 1,200 students and 800 employees. Expertly managed planning and execution of large-scale projects, including key congregational fundraising events with lay leaders.

Selected Achievements:

Achieved 20% savings by strategically negotiating contracts, concise vendor management and purchases.

Effectively reduced overhead expense by eliminating 50% of manual processes.

Successfully elevated efficiency of day-to-day operations by 25% through implementation of robust purchasing procedures.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration (B.S.B.A),

Jerusalem Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel

CERTIFICATIONS

Accounting for Managers

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Fundraising-Major Gifts

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Microsoft Certified Solution Expert (MCSE)

Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

AFFILIATIONS

National Association of Temple Administrators (NATA)

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Windows, Mac, MS Office Suite, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project, LinkedIn, QuickBooks, Adobe suite, Power Point, iPad, Blackbaud Education Edge, Blackbaud Raiser Edge, Help Desk Ticketing System

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