Christa Ohnstad
Harwood
Summary
Health Advocator with over 21 years of extensive expertise in crisis management and strategic planning, leveraging leadership and communication skills to foster collaborative environments. Demonstrates proficiency in integrating innovative solutions and advanced data analytics to enhance community well-being and improve process efficiencies. Committed to driving positive outcomes and advancing the field of behavioral health through strategic initiatives and risk assessments.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Third Party Risk Management
Bell Bank
03.2022 - Current
- Manage vendor relations, ensuring compliance and reducing risks effectively
- Conduct risk assessments, presenting findings to senior management
- Coordinate audits, enhancing inventory management and compliance
- Monitor and analyze vendor performance metrics, creating detailed risk reports and implementing corrective measures to enhance security protocols
Program Manager
John Deere Electronic Solutions
01.2020 - 03.2022
- Converted workflow data into code, enhancing project clarity and execution
- Improved engineering reports, simplifying data access and design processes
- Optimized system interfaces, boosting information flow across platforms
- Led a team of 50 engineers in developing software solutions, ensuring project success
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration, achieving consistent project delivery
Accounting II Billing and Account Support
Catholic Health Initiatives
06.2018 - 01.2020
- Maintained accurate retirement data, improving financial tracking systems significantly
- Reconciled accounts and managed audits, ensuring precise financial record updates
- Resolved financial discrepancies by documenting expenses and managing bank deposits
- Processed payments with 100% accuracy, supporting timely invoice and document delivery
- Reduced supplier payment delays by reorganizing accounts payable processes effectively
- Streamlined accounts payable operations, reducing supplier payment delays from 1 to 30 days while managing $10M in books with 3% reduction in outstanding claims
Accounting II
Archway Microsoft
09.2016 - 12.2017
- Recorded and analyzed daily transactions, resolving discrepancies for accurate financial reporting
- Compiled monthly statements, aiding in year-end audits with thorough account reconciliations
- Managed client accounts, enhancing communication and ensuring timely report delivery
- Organized accounting documents, maintaining efficient storage and retrieval systems
- Utilized Excel for accrual schedules, ensuring precise adjustments and financial accuracy
Retirement Adviser
Alerus Financial
09.2015 - 09.2016
- Conducted financial analyses and reports for retirement plans, enhancing client satisfaction
- Presented findings and recommendations, improving operational efficiency
- Resolved customer inquiries, ensuring high-quality service across 50 weekly calls
- Facilitated team communications for virtual meetings, aiding client onboarding
- Implemented over 500 retirement plans, achieving executive targets
Senior Marketing Research and Health Analytics
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota
12.2006 - 09.2015
- Managed comprehensive financial analyses and streamlined retirement plan implementations for 500+ clients, conducting 50 virtual meetings weekly and maintaining detailed reporting systems
- Analyzed group data for executive summaries, enhancing report accuracy and decision-making
- Improved data integrity by validating and correcting provider information for reliable analytics
- Managed customer relations, ensuring satisfaction through consistent communication and support
- Provided management with renewal forecasts, aiding strategic planning and risk assessment
- Monitored marketing inventory, optimizing resource allocation and reducing discrepancies
- Led comprehensive healthcare analytics initiatives, managing data integrity for provider networks and delivering strategic insights through executive summaries and trend analyses
- Implemented advanced data verification methodologies, independently troubleshooting discrepancies and enhancing marketing inventory management systems
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Marketing and Business Development
Concordia University
St. Paul, MNA.A - Early Childhood and Youth Development
Dakota County Technical College
Master's of Arts - Human Services & Trauma, Resilience & Self Care Strategies
Concordia University
01.2025
Skills
- Data Analytics
- Communication
- Building Connections
- Adaptability
- Time Management
- Critical Thinking
- Public Speaking
- Microsoft Office
- Collaboration
- Marketing
- Accounting
- Conflict Resolution
- Crisis Management
- Empathy
- Training
- Motivating Others
Certification
- Youth & Child Development Certification
- Conflict to Collaboration
Community Service
- Volunteering | Military and Giving Back
- Yellow Ribbon Program - Military
- Family Readiness Group Lead Volunteer - Key Spouse
- Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee
- Family Readiness Group Volunteer Key Spouse Program
- Honor Star
- Pay It Forward Campaigns
- Fundraisers
- Cancer Benefits
- Paraprofessional
Publications
Harwood Happenings Publication #1
Timeline
Third Party Risk Management
Bell Bank
03.2022 - Current
Program Manager
John Deere Electronic Solutions
01.2020 - 03.2022
Accounting II Billing and Account Support
Catholic Health Initiatives
06.2018 - 01.2020
Accounting II
Archway Microsoft
09.2016 - 12.2017
Retirement Adviser
Alerus Financial
09.2015 - 09.2016
Senior Marketing Research and Health Analytics
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota
12.2006 - 09.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Marketing and Business Development
Concordia University
A.A - Early Childhood and Youth Development
Dakota County Technical College
Master's of Arts - Human Services & Trauma, Resilience & Self Care Strategies
Concordia University
- Youth & Child Development Certification
- Conflict to Collaboration
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