Change Management Consultant

Washington DC ****.*.******@*****.*** +1-713-***-**** linkedin.com/in/kari-brandt

KARI BRANDT

Change Management Consultant

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Results-oriented Change Management Consultant with over 15 years of experience in program development and strategic planning. Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact initiatives across remote environments, enhancing operational efficiency through advanced data analysis and agile project management. Skilled in leveraging tools like Jira and Smartsheet to drive continuous improvement and maintain stakeholder alignment. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

PROGRAM MANAGER OF SPECIAL INITIATIVES Sep 2022 - Present Verite Group Incorporated Dulles, VA, USA

Developed, managed, and/or supported business start-up tasks, including business expansion discovery, social media presence, grant writing, and relationship development.

● Initiated a top-to-bottom project revival plan to correct course on an $11 million government data project that had lost partner agency support and overextended the budget and timelines

● Support state-, district-, and school-level projects, including partner support and change management to drive school support improvements

● Manage long-term projects and special non-recurring projects, which involve defining problems, gathering data, and coordinating, analyzing, evaluating, compiling, and preparing final reports on project outcomes

● Support clients in the design, development, testing, and support of a digital data management warehouse and analysis tool to deliver effective, actionable tools

● Identify and allocate required resources and conduct thorough research on project data, procedures, and history to ensure a comprehensive understanding of project direction

● Develop and manage project records systems, including project files, correspondence, advisory opinions, memoranda of understanding, and training records, ensuring they are adequate to meet or exceed client requirements and maintain accountability

● Plan, organize, and complete project plans from initiation to ensure timely delivery and adherence to quality standards and project timeline through the coordination of multi-partner work

● Conduct data analysis, recognize trends across multiple offices for national client operations, and present findings through oral and written presentations to drive program improvements

● Leverage project management tools to ensure that programmatic and technical deliverables meet project requirements across schedule, scope, and budget

● Draft responses to grant opportunities and requests for proposals at the local, state, and federal levels

● Prepare reports, presentations, and memorandums, create templates, format data, and verify information in compliance with company or client-preferred formats, policies, and regulations

● Develop, prioritize, and maintain relationships with current and potential partners and stakeholders

● Communicate project details across vendor and State teams to reach a consensus and productive collaboration

Global Employment Advisor for Near East Affairs Oct 2019 – Sep 2022 United States Department of State, Amman, Jordan

Led a customizable career search and support program for over 900 eligible family members at 13 embassy and consular posts in the Near East Affairs region from a remote-only position in Amman. Analyzed local economy and federal employment data for tailored employment guidance

● Cultivated and led weekly post-specific webinars regarding career development while abroad, including culturally appropriate resumes, tips, and practice for interviews, briefings on cross-cultural workplace issues, self-employment, telework, strategic volunteer options, and long-term employment planning and strategy

● Provided technical assistance and expertise on strategic planning, performance management, program design, and data-driven decision-making to eligible family members and embassy human resources

● Navigated complex, constantly shifting international landscapes to deliver high-impact services at scale

● Converted client feedback to targeted, actionable guidelines for finding meaningful work while abroad

● Pivoted quickly to communications and engagement strategies suited to COVID-era demands and limitations

● Supported numerous eligible family members in achieving their employment goals, including those entering the workforce for the first time or who had been out of the workforce for over a decade DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY & LOGISTICS Jun 2016 - Jun 2019 District of Columbia Public Schools, Washington, DC, USA Initiated operational practices to effectively manage the day-to-day needs of students, staff, and Central Office demands. Increased the instructional capacity of the largest public middle school in Washington, DC, with a population of 1500 students and more than 150 faculty and staff.

● Lead scheduling, administration, and data management for more than a dozen online and paper-based assessments across all grade levels

● Partnered with school instructional leaders to align non-instructional practices with the needs of teachers and student support staff

● Developed and initiated new strategies for managing and tracking cross-functional day-to-day operations in compliance with DC government and DCPS standards, and to improve overall productivity

● Built two departmental budgets, including the tracking of expenditures and sourcing of additional funds for projects outside of the DCPS scope of allocated funds

● Developed and managed projects in partnership with the Alice Deal Community Association to build equitable opportunities for students

● Assessed family and community complaints to negotiate reasonable solutions for school-related concerns

● Attended regular Local School Advisory Team meetings to hear and incorporate parent and community feedback into school operations to foster a sense of positivity, well-being, and school spirit

● Directly managed 20+ DCPS staff members and contract employees while providing detailed, actionable performance reviews to drive optimal performance and staff retention SCHOOL OPERATIONS SPECIALIST Apr 2015 - Jun 2016

District of Columbia Public Schools, Washington, DC, USA Conveyed skillsets learned at the DCPS Central Office into operations and logistics consultancy at the school level.

● Drafted written C-level communications in collaboration with multiple internal offices and intergovernmental partners

● Enhanced school operations by bridging the gap between school leaders and central office-level programs and resources through in-person, written, and oral (telephone) communications

● Identified and tracked facility and operational issues to liaise resolutions by level of urgency to hold government partners accountable for their work in DCPS schools

● Supported school communities through emergencies and traumatic events

● Provided guidance on local and federal policies

MANAGER, CHANCELLOR’S RESPONSE TEAM Jun 2013 - Jun 2015 District of Columbia Public Schools, Washington, DC, USA Led a team of 4 coordinators responsible for high-quality customer service and incident response to support the needs of DCPS families and schools.

● Formulated and implemented the ODC Institute to provide consistent, high-quality professional development and programming for more than 300 non-instructional personnel in DCPS schools

● Managed intergovernmental partnerships between DC Public Schools and the Offices of the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor for Education, as well as the DC Council

● Analyzed hotline intake and response data to identify opportunities for increased efficiency EDUCATION

BACHELOR OF ART

Texas State University

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF LEAN & AGILE PRACTICES

Georgetown University

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