Hi, I’m
Deanne Baker
Pulaski,WI
Summary
Dynamic and results-oriented Professional Services and Presales Leader with a proven track record of driving innovation and achieving transformative success. Recognized for expertise in strategic planning and driving organizational change, consistently improving operational efficiency, and automating 15% of manual tasks within cloud presales. Adept at building collaborative partnerships and translating complex technical concepts into compelling, multi-year strategic solutions exceeding $1M in value. Focused on delivering excellence and leading teams towards impactful outcomes to shape the future of IT consulting through innovation and strategic vision.
Overview
14
years of professional experience
Work History
CDW Professional Services, IncRemote
Head of Cloud Presales
07.2022 - Current
Job overview
- Transformed cloud presales team based on strategic direction of Digital Velocity team, resulting in 15% increase in sales engagement
- Decreased team size by 30% while increasing team efficiency to meet expanding demand levels
- Encouraged adoption of Solution Architect tooling and standard capabilities, reducing scoping errors by 15%
- Evaluated time to sell/cost to sell and employed operational processes to decrease time to sell by four days and cost to sell by 5 hours per/$25,000 opportunity.
CDWRemote
Digital Strategy Manager
07.2021 - 07.2022
Job overview
- Managed entire Digital Velocity practice, including cloud-native, data, and software practices
- Promoted customer satisfaction by serving as escalation point for DV professional services, addressing issues from presales through delivery, and achieving over 80% project save rate and customer retention
- Pioneered program management and services leadership methodology for emergency interventions with highest-priority client engagements, resulting in 40% reduction in escalation response time.
CDWRemote
Specialized Engineer
06.2020 - 07.2021
Job overview
- Spearheaded adoption of services-led, outcome-based consultative selling approach
- Championed strategic solution development and sales for over dozen multi-million-dollar opportunities from concept with 50%-win rate
- Introduced solutioning methodology that increased cost and time to sell by 25% by reducing number of FSAs for initial qualification.
CDWRemote
Consulting Services Architect
07.2015 - 06.2020
Job overview
- Advised customers on all facets of IT, from technical to business functions, putting complex technical topics into meaningful context with 25% opportunity close rate
- Generated over $22 million in additional services, hardware, licensing, and managed services for sales teams
- Expanded business relationships with key clients and stakeholders by promoting and optimizing customer value, resulting in $7M annually in follow-on products and services
- Led consulting team in delivering high-impact solutions focused on customer outcomes and reduced services related to customer satisfaction issues by 20%.
CDWRemote
Enterprise Project Manager
04.2010 - 08.2015
Job overview
- Moderated all engagement lifecycle phases, including (but not limited to) follow-through for solution sales; drafting proposals, margin analyses, and statements of work; and actively monitoring customer satisfaction levels
- Developed, implemented, and provided training for data center project management methodologies in conjunction with company's professional services leadership, resulting in 20% rise in customer satisfaction
- Reduced post-sale issues by over 30% through developing bid assurance practice for data center build projects.
Education
University of Wisconsin-OshkoshOshkosh, WI
Bachelor of Science from Organizational Leadership
01.2021
St. Norbert CollegeDe Pere, WI
Some College (No Degree) from Broadfield Social Studies
University Overview
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- ITIL Foundations
- Six Sigma Green Belt
Skills
- Leadership and Team Management
- Industry Knowledge and Market Insights
- Strategic Planning and Execution
- Innovation and Problem Solving
- Ethical Leadership and Governance
- Strategic Partnerships and Vendor Management
- Business Development
- Program and Project Management
- Change Management and Adaptability
Special Accomplishments
- Conceptualized and implemented a Customer Success Lifecycle Services team to farm current accounts.
- Earned both CDW President’s Achievement and CEO Merit Awards.
- Received award for top consulting services sales in 2019 and 2020.
- Implemented Solution Architecture role-leveling standards adopted by the larger organization.
Timeline
Head of Cloud Presales
CDW Professional Services, Inc
07.2022 - Current
Digital Strategy Manager
CDW
07.2021 - 07.2022
Specialized Engineer
CDW
06.2020 - 07.2021
Consulting Services Architect
CDW
07.2015 - 06.2020
Enterprise Project Manager
CDW
04.2010 - 08.2015
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Bachelor of Science from Organizational Leadership
St. Norbert College
Some College (No Degree) from Broadfield Social Studies