Summary
Skills
Work History
Education
Certification
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Heather Thomas

Orchard Park,NY
Heather Thomas

Summary

Results-oriented and strategic-minded Vice President of Technology Strategy, Planning, and Execution with over 20 years of progressive leadership experience. Proven track record of driving digital transformation initiatives, optimizing technology operations, and aligning technology strategies with business goals. Adept at orchestrating cross-functional teams, implementing innovative solutions, and ensuring seamless execution of complex IT projects.

Skills

  • Operational Excellence
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Governance
  • Financial Management
  • Change Management
  • Strategic Planning
  • Project Management
  • Vendor Management
  • Staff Development
  • Relationship Building

Work History

Delaware North
Buffalo, NY

Vice President IT Strategy, Planning and Execution
08.2020 - 08.2023

Job overview

  • Revolutionized IT Financial Management: Spearheaded the development of IT financial management, vendor management, and procurement functions, resulting in annual savings exceeding $2 million
  • Energized Global Technology Project Management Office (PMO): Initiated and established a global PMO, reshaping the team into an enterprise-focused powerhouse that standardized project delivery worldwide while seamlessly aligning with overarching business strategies
  • Crafted Portfolio Governance Excellence: Engineered a portfolio governance committee, strategically reducing annual projects from 250 to approximately 70, aligning them with strategic imperatives
  • Choreographed Rapid System Implementations: Orchestrated the successful delivery of ServiceNow in addition to over 70 system implementations annually, accelerating project velocity, enhancing data accessibility, and enabling real-time analytics through adept team leadership
  • Championed Data-Driven Decision-Making: Spearheaded technology metric KPI’s and OKRs through deployment of diverse dashboards for key stakeholders, guaranteeing visibility and transparency in technology performance, expenditure, and workforce allocation, fortifying alignment with business partners and propelling data-driven technology decisions
  • Collaborated on Strategic Technology Road mapping: Collaborated closely with key stakeholders to craft the annual technology strategic plan, solidifying alignment between the technology roadmap and evolving business requisites
  • Driving IT Governance Excellence: Spearheaded significant enhancements in IT governance, fortifying compliance programs to protect data, PII, PCI, and regulatory requirements consistently surpassing organizational governance objectives.

Delaware North
Buffalo, NY

Vice President Internal Audit
08.2019 - 08.2020

Job overview

  • Led the Implementation of an Enterprise Risk Assessment: Took charge of executing an Enterprise Risk assessment for the organization, ensuring audits targeted the highest-risk areas
  • Formulated a Dynamic Audit Plan: Collaborated closely with key stakeholders and External Audit to devise a rolling audit plan, introducing adaptability in an ever-changing environment
  • Initiated a Cross-Training Initiative: Launched a cross-training program that established a rotational program for multiple functions across the organization, resulting in the cultivation of a talent pipeline for Audit and other areas.

Duquesne Light Company
Pittsburgh, PA

Head Office of the CIO
01.2018 - 08.2019

Job overview

  • Orchestrated Vendor Management Excellence: Led the establishment of vendor management, overseeing negotiations, administration, and procurement, resulting in year-over-year savings of $1 million
  • Guided the Creation of a Long-Term IT Vision: Provided direction and leadership in developing the long-term information technology vision and strategy, aligning it closely with the Company's overarching vision
  • Directed the Annual $150 Million Technology Budget: Took charge of creating and managing an annual $150 million technology spending budget, ensuring efficient resource allocation
  • Led the Implementation of a Technology Metrics Scorecard: Initiated the introduction and rollout of a technology scorecard in collaboration with technology and business leaders, significantly enhancing visibility into technology performance.

Ernst & Young
Pittsburgh, PA

Risk & Assurance Senior Manager
02.2006 - 01.2018

Job overview

  • Directed Internal and External Audit Engagements: Oversaw multiple Internal and External audit engagements for SEC Fortune 1000 companies, ensuring compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and risk management requirements while consistently exceeding sales goals of $2.5 million
  • Technology Security Transformations: Spearheaded various technology security transformations and cyber security engagements for SEC Fortune 1000 companies, identifying and addressing critical areas of cyber risk
  • Established Office Volunteer Committee: Took the lead in establishing a volunteer committee, orchestrating monthly organized volunteer activities for the office.

CNA Insurance
Chicago, IL

Senior Auditor
02.2003 - 02.2006

Job overview

  • Developed and executed technology audit plans for IT general controls, business continuity and disaster recovery
  • Identified areas of improvement and presented remediation plans to leadership teams.

Ernst & Young
Cleveland/Chicago, OH/IL

Staff-Senior Auditor
08.2000 - 02.2003

Job overview

  • Executed IT general control audits supporting Sarbanes-Oxley compliance for SEC Fortune 1000 companies.

Education

Bowling Green State University

Bachelor of Science and Business Administration - Accounting and Information Systems

Certification

CISA, 06/2006

Timeline

Vice President IT Strategy, Planning and Execution

Delaware North
08.2020 - 08.2023

Vice President Internal Audit

Delaware North
08.2019 - 08.2020

Head Office of the CIO

Duquesne Light Company
01.2018 - 08.2019

Risk & Assurance Senior Manager

Ernst & Young
02.2006 - 01.2018

Senior Auditor

CNA Insurance
02.2003 - 02.2006

Staff-Senior Auditor

Ernst & Young
08.2000 - 02.2003

Bowling Green State University

Bachelor of Science and Business Administration - Accounting and Information Systems

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