MICHAEL G. PAGONAKIS
Wilmington, ***** DE
***********@*****.*** / 302-***-****
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Executive leader with extensive experience in vendor strategy, data operations, and business transformation. Skilled in contract negotiation, compliance, procurement strategy, and cross-functional team leadership. Contributed to $19M in cost savings through strategic vendor oversight and executed upon a $230M procurement portfolio. Committed to leadership excellence, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth. Eager and open learner leadership methodology.
SIGNATURE SKILLS
Executive Leadership
Vendor Management
Operational Excellence
Cost Efficiency Optimization
Data-Driven Decision Making
Cross-functional Collaboration
Risk Management and Mitigation
Strategic Planning
Change Management and Innovation
Talent Development
Contract Negotiation
Team Empowerment
WORK EXPERIENCE
Owner / Michael Pagonakis Consulting 07/2024 - Current
Advise companies on vendor strategy, data acquisition, and operational optimization.
Lead contract reviews to identify inefficiencies and ensure compliance with FCRA and GLBA.
Design data acquisition frameworks that improve accessibility and reveal new implementation opportunities and negotiate flexible contracts to allow for potential enterprise expansion.
Implement automation solutions to streamline manual operations and improve service turnaround.
SVP, Vendor Strategy & Contract Oversight / CITI 09/2015 - 05/2024
Directed efforts to streamline data acquisition processes and improve reporting accuracy.
Established a risk management framework achieving full compliance with zero audit findings.
Negotiated 100+ vendor agreements with improved terms and performance alignment with business objectives driving strategic progression.
Adept at influencing without leverage through development of trusted relationships.
Oversaw vendor partnerships responsible for and driving $21M in direct and residual savings.
Established solution to satisfy DoD requirements at point of credit origination.
Sourcing Lead, Corporate Professional Services / Accenture 08/2013 - 09/2015
Led strategic sourcing efforts resulting in over $10M in cost savings.
Managed enterprise-level contract negotiations in collaboration with executive leadership.
Built a centralized spend dashboard uncovering additional savings opportunities.
Sr. Director, Corporate Cross-Sell Strategy / Sallie Mae 11/2012 - 08/2013
Led digital strategy efforts to improve NPV based model leading to higher customer targeting and engagement.
Created a cross-sell model that contributed over $5M in incremental revenue.
Implemented insurance targeting strategy utilizing alternative data assets
Director / Sr. Director, Credit Bureau Management / Sallie Mae 07/2009 - 11/2012
Designed, assembled, and cultivated a high performing team growing the scope of responsibility leading to successful succession planning to the extent my colleague is now one down from the COO.
Improved efficiency in credit dispute resolution and regulatory compliance processes.
Reduced operational expenses 22% through RFP and streamlined vendor management.
Managed a team of 40+ professionals supporting high-volume bureau reporting activities.
Led NCHELP industry efforts to standardize requirements to satisfy new legislative requirements.
Sr. Analyst, Strategic Data Solutions / Sallie Mae 01/2006 - 07/2009
Consolidated reporting functions across departments to improve data accuracy.
Led reporting and data conversion efforts supporting $50M+ in initiatives.
System portfolio conversion lead in onboarding and offboarding portfolios.
Sales Support Representative / Experian 04/2004 - 01/2006
Managed a $19M revenue portfolio on the strategic accounts team.
Delivered analytics that improved sales conversion and shortened sales cycles.
Supported client onboarding and contributed to revenue growth efforts.
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
Bachelor of Science: Human Ecology and Banking
The Ohio State University - Columbus, OH
WEBSITES, PORTFOLIOS, PROFILES
linkedin.com/in/michaelpagonakis
CERTIFICATIONS
FCRA Certified, Consumer Data Industry Association