Operations, Project/Program Manager, Diversity Equity & Inclusion Em

CULTURE STRATEGIST PROJECT MANAGEMENT OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

Dedicated to creating work cultures that are inclusive, equitable, and collaborative. Dedicated Certified Diversity Professional with a mission-driven approach and a passion for fostering integrity, collaboration, and innovation within organizational cultures. Expertise in value-building, systems thinking, strategy development, and change management. Deeply committed to implementing initiatives that enhance representation and promote the professional growth of employees from marginalized communities. Results-oriented strategic planner skilled in formulating and executing impactful Diversity strategies. Proven ability to lead business-critical projects, ensuring seamless execution and delivery on time, even under tight deadlines. STRENGTHS & COMPETENCIES

Diversity and Inclusion Expertise

Budget Planning/Management

Strategic Planning

Change Management

Data Analysis and Metrics

Project Management

Training and Development

Policy Development

Crisis Management

Collaboration and Teamwork

Innovative Problem Solving

Process Improvement

IMPACTS & RESULTS

VERIZON 2019 - 2024

OPERATIONS, PROJECT/PROGRAM MANAGER, DIVERSITY EQUITY & INCLUSION – EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUPS Dedicated to cultivating a safe and values-driven work environment that prioritizes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). As the end-to- end owner of DEI learning and talent development initiatives, I build and implement comprehensive strategies that enhance employee retention, talent acquisition, engagement, and organizational culture.

• Leadership Development: Spearheaded pipeline development initiatives, including Leadership Development Programs, DEI training sessions, and multicultural celebrations such as Black History Month, Disability Pride Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Pride Month.

• Budget Oversight: Managed a $3MM budget for Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), ensuring proper expenditure tracking and reconciliation for operations, the Annual ERG Summit, and events.

• Strategic Planning: Conceptualized and executed a long-range DEI Strategic Plan in collaboration with HR, EEO, and senior leadership, aligning initiatives with strategic organizational objectives.

• Research and Guidance: Conducted research to provide insights and strategies to senior leadership, equipping them to foster an inclusive workplace culture.

• Metrics Development: Established metrics to monitor diversity representation within the leadership pipeline, driving accountability and progress.

• Training Content Creation: Developed and delivered tailored DEI training content aimed at enhancing awareness and providing employees with skills for nurturing an inclusive culture.

• ERG Program Management: Ensured ERG initiatives aligned with overall DEI strategies, maximizing business impact and accountability for executive champions.

• Event Coordination: Streamlined event submission processes to enhance efficiency and compliance, and planned two successful 3-day ERG Leadership Summits—one in-person with over 200 attendees and one virtual—overseeing logistics and agenda management.

• Diversity Advocacy: Represented the ERGs and DEI team on the Racial Justice super team, driving initiatives such as mentoring programs, allyship training, and bias workshops, contributing to the development of a racial learning portal, and partnering with Learning and Development to create pathways for underserved communities to access high-opportunity roles. Key Skills:

• Project Management

• DEI Strategy Implementation

• Talent Development

• Budget Management

• Employee Engagement

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Event Planning and Execution

• Data Analysis and Reporting

SIGNATURE ACHIEVEMENTS:

ERG Membership Growth: Designed and implemented Employee Resource Group roadshows, resulting in a substantial 47% increase in membership over four years.

Leadership Restructuring: Led the successful transition and restructuring of 123 new ERG leaders, encompassing representatives, senior leaders, and executives, during the merger of Verizon and Yahoo.

Innovative Virtual Events: Developed and executed adaptive event strategies during the Covid-19 pandemic and in response to social justice movements, pivoting ERG and Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (GDE&I) events to virtual formats. This initiative engaged nearly 30,000 ERG members and a broader enterprise community of over 140,000 employees.

Recognized Excellence: Honored with the Verizon Outstanding Leadership Award (2021, 2022, 2023), Sandoz Teamwork Award (2015), and Sandoz Recognition Award (2016) for outstanding performance and contributions. KRISTEN THORNHILL 347-***-**** *************@*******.***

• KRISTEN THORNHILL, PAGE 2

IMPACTS & RESULTS, CONTINUED

CELGENE CORPORATION 2018 - 2019

CHIEF OF STAFF/SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO CVP

• Provided high-level project management and administrative support to the Corporate Vice President of Corporate Medical Affairs, ensuring operational efficiency and organization within a high-pressure environment.

• Managed complex scheduling and coordinated both domestic and international travel arrangements while overseeing critical tasks to maintain a commitment to continuous improvement and accountability.

• Enhanced administrative processes by implementing streamlined procedures, achieving a 65% reduction in data retrieval time, thereby increasing productivity and efficiency.

• Organized and managed logistics for the Rutgers Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship (RPIF) Steering Committee, successfully coordinating meetings and events to support strategic initiatives.

• Monitored departmental expenses against budgetary constraints, generating accurate financial reports within the expense tracking system to ensure fiscal responsibility.

• Developed and implemented an electronic file management system to maintain project files, resulting in cost savings of $10,000 through improved organization and accessibility for all stakeholders.

• Supported compliance training initiatives and record retention processes, ensuring adherence to organizational standards and regulatory requirements.

Key Skills:

• Project Management

• Administrative Excellence

• Process Improvement

• Budget Management

• Event Coordination

• Compliance Adherence

• Problem Solving

• Organizational Skills

SUN PHARMACEUTICAL 2016 - 2018

GRANTS COORDINATOR

• Led the day-to-day management of the pharmaceutical grant process, overseeing the submission, tracking, acknowledgment, and reconciliation of grants to ensure compliance and efficient workflow within the organization.

• Maintained and updated the Funding spreadsheet, ensuring accurate data entry for grant award receipts and the timely acknowledgment of all pharmaceutical grant awards, enhancing data integrity and reporting capabilities.

• Chaired the Grants & Investigator Initiated Trials (IIT) Review Committee, serving as a primary liaison between universities, healthcare professionals, and SUN Pharma to effectively execute and support Investigator Initiated Studies and Continuing Medical Education Grants in dermatology, oncology, ophthalmology, and neurosciences.

• Evaluated the validity of grant proposals and assessed medical needs for IITs to ensure alignment with organizational goals before presenting submissions to the committee.

• Planned and executed large-scale events such as FDA Advisory Committees, Joint Steering Committees, Clinical Investigator Meetings, and annual team planning sessions, demonstrating strong organizational and project management skills. Key Skills:

• Project Management

• Grant Coordination

• Event Planning and Execution

• Data Management

• Cross-functional Collaboration

• Stakeholder Engagement

• Compliance and Regulation

Adherence

SANDOZ 2013 - 2016

CHIEF OF STAFF/EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO CMO

Supported the Chief Medical Officer by managing daily operations with a focus on efficiency. Provided administrative and project management support, including scheduling meetings, coordinating travel, and managing tasks while proposing process improvements.

• Process Improvement: Streamlined administrative procedures, achieving a 65% reduction in data retrieval time.

• Logistics Coordination: Managed logistics for the Rutgers Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship (RPIF) Steering Committee, ensuring successful events.

• Budget Management: Monitored departmental expenses, generating reports to support financial decision-making Developed an electronic file management system to maintain project files.

• File Management: Developed an electronic file management system, resulting in more efficient workflows.

• Compliance Support: Assisted with record retention and compliance training to ensure adherence to standards. EARLY CAREER

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Verizon 2012- 2013

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Ralph Lauren 2007- 2008

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Credit Suisse, LLC 2002-2006 PROJECT MANAGER Bad Boy Entertainment, Inc. 1999-2002 EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

BA Marketing Studies CUNY NYC Technical College

Agile Project Management University of Maryland

Certified Diversity Professional The Diversity Institute Inclusive Leadership Catalyst

Strategic Human Resources Management Stellenbosch University Leadership & Communication Harvard University

Executive Leadership Babson College

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