Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Roles
Certification
Professional Development
Locations
Timeline
Generic
Audrey Dendy Hightower

Audrey Dendy Hightower

Easton,PA

Summary

Results-driven PMO and portfolio executive with over 20 years of experience leading enterprise-wide program delivery, driving operational efficiency, and ensuring regulatory compliance across global financial and technology organizations. Proven track record building and maturing PMOs, managing multi-million-dollar portfolios, and partnering with C-level executives to align technology initiatives with strategic business objectives. Certified Life Coach bringing a unique, people-centered leadership approach that cultivates high-performing teams, accountability, and sustainable results.


A personal development professional with track record of empowering clients to achieve their goals through tailored coaching methodologies. Known for collaborative approach and results-driven mindset, ensuring adaptability to meet clients' evolving needs. Expertise in goal setting, active listening, and motivational techniques, valued for reliability and commitment to client success.

Overview

35
35
years of professional experience
3
3
Certification

Work History

MENTAL HEALTH / LIFE COACH

Hightower Consulting LLC
07.2017 - Current
  • Founded a life coaching practice helping hundreds of clients overcome obstacles and enhance performance.
  • Coach executives to improve time management, stress management, and work-life balance.
  • Worded at Lyra Health as a Mental Health coach supporting clients using Cognitive Behavioral Methodology.

VICE PRESIDENT, PORTFOLIO DELIVERY MANAGER, FINANCE TECHNOLOGY

Morgan Stanley
06.2018 - 06.2025
  • Oversaw centralized PMO governance and reporting for Finance Technology, managing budgets and staffing across a 2,500-employee global organization.
  • Led regulatory compliance initiatives, managing cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery, risk mitigation, and comprehensive reporting.
  • Directed a cross-functional team of 20 in the strategic decommissioning of a legacy Loans system, saving $3M annually and streamlining daily processing by 5+ hours per day.
  • Designed and launched 15 division-wide Jive sites to foster collaboration and visibility.
  • Created and maintained SharePoint sites for the FFT Major Programs division.
  • Mentored and coached junior project managers, fostering a culture of excellence.

DIRECTOR, PMO

Apple Leisure Group (ALG)
08.2015 - 02.2017
  • Built and led a high-performing PMO team managing a $30M technology portfolio; defined and executed PMO strategies, roadmaps, and performance metrics to ensure project alignment with organizational goals.
  • Established best practices for IT project management and lifecycle methodologies.
  • Implemented KPIs and stakeholder communication plans.
  • Conducted PMO audits for compliance and negotiated staff acquisition.
  • Managed execution of a $5M cross-functional project.

PMO LEAD

Morgan Stanley
05.2012 - 08.2015
  • Ensured governance and compliance with Central PMO policies.
  • Enforced PLC and SDLC guidelines using ALM11, PPM, MS Project Server, and SharePoint.
  • Conducted audits, developed financial tracking processes, and managed a portfolio of IT projects.
  • Oversaw global teams and improved annual budget planning.
  • Provided transparency through portfolio reporting and managed a team of program managers.

DIRECTOR, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

ELX Futures
02.2009 - 02.2012
  • Managed project budgets, ensuring delivery within guidelines.
  • Tracked outsourced development and testing phases, improving transparency.
  • Developed business charters and presented updates to executive management.
  • Oversaw Level 1 support, maintained the company website, and analyzed HR benefits.
  • Revised and maintained the Business Continuity Plan.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree - Computer Science

Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, New York
06.1987

Skills

  • Program & Portfolio Management
  • Project Management (Waterfall & Agile)
  • Budgeting & Financial Oversight
  • Risk Management & Compliance
  • Vendor & Stakeholder Management
  • IT Applications & Business Analysis
  • Process Improvement & Efficiency Optimization
  • PLC / SDLC Governance
  • Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Communication & Executive Reporting
  • Coaching & Mentoring
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Microsoft Project
  • SharePoint
  • HP PPM
  • Microsoft Visio
  • JIRA
  • Goal setting
  • Personal development sessions

Roles

  • PMO & Program Executive | Portfolio Delivery Leader | Certified Coach
  • Availability: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania

Certification

PMP, CPC, ELI-MP, ACC

Professional Development

  • Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute
  • Risk Management, PMStudy
  • Scrum Master Certification, International Scrum Institute
  • Certified Professional Coach, Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching
  • Associate Certified Coach, International Coaching Federation (ICF)

Locations

  • New York, New York
  • New Jersey, New Jersey
  • Easton, Pennsylvania
  • Newtown Square, Pennsylvania

Timeline

VICE PRESIDENT, PORTFOLIO DELIVERY MANAGER, FINANCE TECHNOLOGY

Morgan Stanley
06.2018 - 06.2025

MENTAL HEALTH / LIFE COACH

Hightower Consulting LLC
07.2017 - Current

DIRECTOR, PMO

Apple Leisure Group (ALG)
08.2015 - 02.2017

PMO LEAD

Morgan Stanley
05.2012 - 08.2015

DIRECTOR, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

ELX Futures
02.2009 - 02.2012

Bachelor’s Degree - Computer Science

Brooklyn College

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