Cynthia Cunningham
Aldie,VA
Summary
Project & Program Management Dynamic and results driven professional with proven abilities in leading a full lifecycle of project and program management along with driving attainment of project objectives within time and budgetary constraints. Adept at identifying and communicating project objectives, providing process improvement recommendations, and managing all administrative and scheduling processes. Skilled in conducting quality assurance, creating project strategies, overseeing resources, reporting progress, and ensuring timely delivery of projects. Well versed in identifying risk, resolving complex issues, and mitigating project obstacles. Proficient in interdepartmental collaboration, stakeholder engagement and change management. Demonstrated background in supervising and guiding cross-functional teams, driving team performance, fostering collaboration, and communicating with stakeholders to drive project success. Articulate communicator with strong leadership, multi-tasking, prioritization, analytical, people management, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
Overview
1
1
Certification
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Contractor (Nextpoint Group LLC)
10.2025 - 10.2026
- DISA J6 Voice Operations 10/25-10/26
- Goal - Provide Information Technology & Communication support for National Defense or to DISA Global Solutions.
- DISA J6 / TSCO Voice Services Division 6/26-10/26
- Telecommunications Service Control Officer for the NCR (National Capital Region)
Change Analyst, Risk Analyst
NCR (National Capital Region) Agency Audit Group
10.2025 - 10.2026
- Responsible for multiple tasks: Customer Outreach, Communications
- Served as the primary POC for the Client :
- Gathered requirements
- Completed pre-audit interview with the client
- Scheduled and participated in the initial site survey
- Assisted with data collection, data research, data scrubbing
- Scheduled and participated in the audit inventory
- Completed post-audit interview with the client
- Created and disseminated specific communication tailored to each client including the specific phase of the audit
- Identified and managed risks within the team - determined level of impact and probability - reported findings to team lead weekly to eliminate and/or reduce challenges
- Identified realistic change control measures
- Utilized effective change management techniques
Project Manager, Contractor
Lumen Technologies (MSR Technologies)
07.2023 - 10.2024
- Managed small to large-scale projects concurrently and across all phases of development from inception through completion/delivery while ensuring client project requirements.
- Communicated with customer POCs to gather requirements, schedule appointments, and manage expectations.
- Strategically coordinated, scheduled and managed multiple site surveys, circuit extensions, inside wiring, hardware installation, network equipment/circuit installation, and customer acceptance and activation for federal agency network installation projects while collaborating with vendor activities.
- Monitored workflow and made timeline adjustments as needed.
- Utilized a central repository (SharePoint) for project planning, collaboration, and document management and to engage services from other functional owners.
- Contributed to process documentation to create and/or amend SOPs as needed and improve existing processes.
- Communicated with Program Manager weekly on the status of projects – including constraints/challenges and what actions I performed to resolve issues.
- Oversaw subcontractor installation vendors. Coordinated subcontractors schedule, including shipment and delivery of required equipment needed to complete projects on schedule and within budget.
- Performed Quality Checks (QC) on all site surveys for assigned projects for delivery to customers as required by contracts.
- Established and maintained liaison by providing focused coordination and communication with internal and external customers.
- Conducted analyses to identify overall operational efficiencies/inefficiencies, program-related trends, effectiveness in achieving planned goals, objectives, and milestones.
- Engaged in process improvement in specialized functions areas in a constantly evolving technical environment.
Communications Director, Volunteer
Project Management Institute, DC Chapter
04.2023 - 08.2024
- Spearhead strategic development and seamless execution of impactful internal and external communications.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams as well as stakeholders to ensure consistent messaging and alignment across various communication channels.
- Empowered team in devising/implementing highly effective communications plans, optimizing processes and workflows, and documenting completed projects to foster continuous improvement and knowledge retention.
- Managed and maintain project schedules, milestones, and timelines for team members or stakeholders.
- Handled incoming and outgoing communications, including emails, reports, and correspondence.
- Coordinated virtual meetings, prepare agendas, and document key takeaways as required.
Senior Analyst/Team Lead
Verizon Business Group
02.2013 - 12.2022
- Orchestrated development, construction, and execution of a holistic sales enablement initiative, encompassing cutting-edge tools, streamlined processes, impactful programs, and prestigious accreditations.
- Engaged with pre-sales team, Solution Architect Engineers, and Product Line Managers to gain in-depth understanding of client requirements, facilitated provision of essential resources, and bolstered project endeavors.
- Collaborated closely with Sales Leadership to pinpoint areas of knowledge and skill deficiencies across organization, while actively conducting continuous needs assessments and executing targeted program deployments.
- Oversaw call monitoring activities and delivered valuable feedback and actionable recommendations to drive continuous improvement.
- Authored an innovative article, "Unlocking the Power of VZ Blue Jeans: A Virtual Revolution," driving up to 100% increase in product awareness among sales representatives.
- Forged a strategic partnership with Learning and Development to generate quarterly training initiatives encompassing sales, technical sales, and product updates, incorporating rigorous measurement of training effectiveness and delivering comprehensive reports to executive management.
- Delivered exceptional pre-/post-sales support on intricate processes, new products, and advanced systems, empowering Verizon customers in successfully fulfilling their unique business requirements.
- Streamlined processes in liaison with Network Engineers and secured favorable price points through effective negotiations with Business Development Group, optimizing cost structures and enhancing profitability.
- Team Lead for Medium Business Sales Team focused on improving performance, elevating organizational efficiency and encouraging collaboration and team building while incorporating change management.
- Career Notes
- Active Interim Secret Clearance obtained March 2025 via Nextpoint Group; Confidential Clearance (USPS) and Public Trust Clearance (USDA) obtained via Lumen exp 2027/2028
- Former Federal Govt Employee – Library of Congress, FEC, GSA 1985-1990; FEMA (PT/On-Call) 2000-2004
Technical Project Manager (Interim Supervisor)
Qwest Communications
07.1999 - 12.2008
- Efficiently supervised a team of 8-12 employees by utilizing effective communication, delegation, engagement, collaboration and change management to achieve strategic goals; as well as manage, sustain and elevate productivity.
- Analyzed project requirements and directed end to end project lifecycle for seamless deployment of data/voice networks, ensuring successful installation and delivery of superior network installations to clients.
- Spearheaded strategic planning initiatives for IT management, specifically targeting the provisioning functions of network engineering, leading to improved alignment of IT resources with organization goals.
- Orchestrated resource allocation and managed project schedules efficiently for seamless executions of multiple telecommunication projects.
- Provided expert guidance and counsel to multiple project engineering teams, mediating and resolving conflicts within groups, fostering collaboration and promoting harmonious working relationships.
Education
Project Management Professional Graduate Certificate - undefined
Kaplan University
Master of Science - Management & Change Leadership
Kaplan University
Bachelor of Science - Communications
Bowie State University
Skills
Project Management
Change Management
Risk Management
Communications
Certification
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Curriculum (Verizon)
Affiliations
- Project Management Institute Washington DC Chapter
- Worldwide Women’s Association
- Women in Technology
- International Association for Professional Writers and Editors
- Kaplan University Alumni
- Bowie State University Alumni
Training
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Curriculum (Verizon)
References
Accessible via LinkedIn
Timeline
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Contractor (Nextpoint Group LLC)
10.2025 - 10.2026
Change Analyst, Risk Analyst
NCR (National Capital Region) Agency Audit Group
10.2025 - 10.2026
Project Manager, Contractor
Lumen Technologies (MSR Technologies)
07.2023 - 10.2024
Communications Director, Volunteer
Project Management Institute, DC Chapter
04.2023 - 08.2024
Senior Analyst/Team Lead
Verizon Business Group
02.2013 - 12.2022
Technical Project Manager (Interim Supervisor)
Qwest Communications
07.1999 - 12.2008
Bachelor of Science - Communications
Bowie State University
Master of Science - Management & Change Leadership
Kaplan University
Project Management Professional Graduate Certificate - undefined
Kaplan University