Summary

Overview

Work History

Education

Skills

Accomplishments

Federal Status

Awards Recognition

Community Committee Involvement

Veterans Preference

Personal Information

Languages

Timeline

Hi, I’m

JEANETTE LOPEZ-TORRALBA

Chicago,United States of America

Summary

Accomplished Acting Director, Project, and Program Manager with a diverse and impactful background in private and public sector employment, including law enforcement, tech startup, and government roles. Notably served as an Account Manager for over 25 agencies, a GSA Zone Executive and Project Manager for the 2020 Census Decennial initiative, and most recently as a Supervisory Program Manager in the Office of Project Delivery and Co-Manager of the Hispanic Special Emphasis Program. Leveraging a BA in Psychology and MA in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, specializes in restoring relationships, building consensus among diverse stakeholders, fostering collaboration, and developing productive agency partnerships to drive initiatives forward and meet business needs. Reputation for delivering top-tier quality and integrity as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and high-level advisor, repeatedly selected for high-visibility details and special assignments. Results-driven leader with a strong background in strategic management and organizational growth, excels in developing and implementing effective business strategies, optimizing processes, and driving team performance. Adaptability, effective collaboration skills, and focus on delivering measurable outcomes make well-suited for dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities contribute to fostering a productive and positive team culture.

Overview

years of professional experience

Work History

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (GSA)

Acting Director / Supervisory Program Analyst

01.2022 - Current

Job overview

Served as Acting Director and Supervisory Program Analyst for the Office of Project Delivery, Center for Professional Excellence supporting all aspects of the project management professional journey
Supervised 7 employees (GS 12-14); establish rapport and trust; demonstrate critical thinking and clear communication with the ability to bring order to unstructured problems; promote a diverse, highly engaged workforce through employee development, training programs, mentoring, and performance management
Consistently achieve aggressive cost and schedule targets by integrating best-in-class project management methodology, lean principles, and leveraging resources across complex processes, systems, and programs; support national and regional business lines in succession planning; develop and monitor program budget to maximize divisional training and contract support accessibility and performance
Introduced an innovative phased program to redesign and consolidate content management that enabled single-point access to real-time, accurate data involving 300+ critical documents and consolidated 3K links down to 1.1K
Planned and developed operating budget for program-specific planning activities, including preparation of annual budget estimates, consistently providing reliable data to enable informed, data-driven decision-making; align agency business performance goals and objectives in the operations of national and regional business lines
Manage $1M national training budget, set strategy, and deliver training to 1.8K PM and COR staff, both in-person and 100% virtual on learning platforms; national training program ownership of Lean Delivery, PM Boot Camp, Forums, and FAC P/PM content; modernize professional development tools, including Career Path and Professional Development Plan
Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (GSA)

Co-Lead + Advisor, Hispanic Special Emphasis Program (HSEP)

08.2021 - 12.2024

Job overview

Key thought leader in planning and implementing awareness-focused program initiatives across the entire GSA footprint, including technical guidance, research, and associated policy changes; work with GSA's Office of Human Resources and Office of Civil Rights to ensure measurable results in the Management Directive 715 Report
Strategized, communicated, and earned approval for GSA employees to attend the Federal Training Institute Conference - an intensive and structured career development program for government and public sector employees
In partnership with the OPM and other Federal agencies, the Federal Training Institute offers workshops and plenary sessions that enable government employees and other employees to enhance their leadership skills and develop the Executive Core Qualifications required for entry to the Senior Executive Service
Serve as a subject matter expert and resource to employees, providing information and resources spanning employment, training, professional development, and mentoring opportunities
Identify and capture opportunities, collaborating with government agencies, employee affinity groups, local and national organizations, and higher education institutions; expand targeted outreach efforts; engage and build positive partnerships to promote fairness and best practices

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (GSA)

Regional Account + Planning Manager

05.2008 - 12.2021

Job overview

Built strong relationships with 25 agencies as their advocate, developing strategic real estate solutions to address short and long-term workspace requirements; served as acting National Account Manager for NARA; developed and monitored Customer Business Plans (CBP) goals, strategies, and activities
Participated in the national Client Portfolio Program (CPP) to assist federal agencies with analyzing and optimizing their existing portfolio; worked with external broker/analysts and internal specialists, met with 12 bureaus individually, performed complex analysis to align business needs to CPP requirements; identified 7 opportunities to save $26M annually that were reported to the OMB
Collaborated with GSA and Census regional and national offices to develop data-aligned housing strategy for the federal complex to achieve long-term portfolio goals; implemented strategies at a regional level that eliminated 100K RSF, $300K rental expense annually in Jefferson, IN
Partnered with Chicago FDA and delivered a 2-year strategy to consolidate leases and improve space utilization; built business case, presented to local FDA leadership, and achieved a 40% space reduction; earned approval for an additional office consolidation and met target of 170 utilization rate
Built a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership over 10 years; eliminated siloed communication and fostered knowledge sharing; integrated multi-region best practices and standardized operating procedures; worked with project teams monthly to provide status updates and presented data/trends to regional and national leaders annually
Transformed a strained relationship with NARA into a collaborative, productive partnership; ability to restore trust, enable transparent funding/finance/project communication, and create a safe, constructive forum to resolve issues was highlighted at a GSA Town Hall as a successful customer and relationship transformation story
Conducted complex analytical studies and ad-hoc reporting for client agencies and GSA, consistently provided reliable data used in budget formulation, workforce/organizational development, and financial management solutions to improve program operations and the overall project delivery process
Provided prompt customer feedback, transparent communication, and leveraged strong relationships to provide a seamless project delivery experience; served as the main point of escalation on problematic projects and underperforming programs, rapidly resolved issues and implemented solutions across GSA business lines

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (GSA)

Detail: Team Manager, Client Delivery

05.2020 - 07.2020

Job overview

Stepped into a high-impact leadership role with the largest team in the nation spanning 6 states; addressed significant challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic and adjusted project management framework to meet targets; provided advice and guidance on major projects involving complex and sensitive issues
Provided overall leadership, policy, vision, and program direction, including evaluating and prioritizing project workload and met 100% of the Commissioner's strategic goals during tenure
Mentored, managed, and developed a team of 14 staff (Project Managers, Account Managers, Leasing and Contracting Specialists) as a resource for professional and organizational development; researched issues impacting program effectiveness and adjusted policies to improve employee development outcomes

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (GSA)

Detail: Program Management Specialist, Central Office

09.2019 - 05.2020

Job overview

Created surveys with qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate program effectiveness, adjust policy, revamp existing and integrate new learning and development programs, tools, and resources
Pioneered end-to-end development of the 1st PM Bootcamp program with intensive 1-day training and 27 forums; oversaw curriculum development, including weekly topics for 200 participants per session; successfully delivered PM Bootcamp to 400 nationwide employees
Designed engaging, relevant content for the monthly PM Report, distributed via email with leading-edge tools, training, and resources targeted to the specific needs of the project management community
Collaborated with SMEs to address resource capability gaps; mapped out career paths for GS levels 7-14; created and marketed Project Management Professional Development Plans that launched nationally; additionally, the PBS Chief of Staff used this model as the blueprint for the agency
Served as a moderator for the National Project Management Awards, Beyond Space category; created scoring/analytic workbooks, customized for 9 award categories/personalized for 13 panelists for the internal Project Management Awards program

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (GSA)

Detail: Zone Executive, Census 2020

01.2017 - 09.2019

Job overview

Set strategy, resources, and technology spanning 10 states and 36 locations; leveraged existing inventory/market conditions; tracked performance, evaluated program effectiveness, and accelerated schedules to meet master schedule milestones; delivered program 100% on time, scope, and budget
Organized and delivered 37 projects ranging from 3K to 300K rentable square feet on and expedited 28 month timeline; point of escalation responsible for resolving conflicts and critical project issues; navigated government shutdown and kept the 2020 National Decennial program on schedule; liaised with national PMO and Zone Executives to ensure program consistency across GSA regions; communicated program process to Regional and National Office Census and GSA Regional and Assistant Commissioners
Led an inexperienced team of 36 FTE with no supervisory influence spanning 3 regions; set and monitored metrics for Leasing Specialists and Project Managers to better negotiate tenant improvement costs and deliver on all project technical requirements; coached staff to achieve personal and programmatic goals

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (GSA)

Detail: Analyst, Regional Project Management Office

12.2012 - 05.2014

Job overview

Expanded influence on big-picture strategy and developed governance, tools, and resources to help Project Managers proactively identify successes, potential issues, and project improvements; trained and guided R5 PBS Project Manager to successfully integrate global PM principles across the entire lifecycle
Created and implemented a regional adult learning program, including training, tools, and logistics to deliver quality education to 600+ employees in 18 months

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (GSA)

Management Analyst / Project Manager

02.2003 - 05.2008

Job overview

Developed and evaluated complex data, P+L, employment reports, performance measures, workload and workflow analysis to propose ways to improve efficiencies, reduce costs, and increase revenue while improving program effectiveness of operating programs and internal support operations
Served as a technical advisor for assigned program activities; planned, directed, and delivered complex projects to resolve operational challenges, resource utilization, and meet established goals; evaluated alternative solutions and recommended actions
Managed census and survey project from inception and objective-setting through reporting and results communication for 40 Congressional Districts; delivered 40+ projects in 2 years
Performed led a team to conduct deep-dive analysis and led an initiative to proactively identify and correct inaccurate contractual or financial information; delivered recommendations to over 1,800 client billing records
Appraised program performance, progress, and trends to identify and recommend improvements in internal operations and meet real estate objectives
Met or exceeded performance metric each year
Built coalition as a liaison between GSA and various federal agencies, vastly improved communication, and reporting transparency; balanced priorities and built consensus around shared goals to move initiatives forward and achieve operational, support, engagement, and financial performance targets
Analyzed employee engagement and morale and developed improvement recommendations; presented tactical roadmaps in briefings to senior leadership; fostered a culture of collaboration, innovation, and personal accountability via special events, meetings, office assembly, and strengthened onboarding protocol

ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY

Graduate Assistant, Psychology

11.2005 - 11.2007

Job overview

Company Overview: Psychology Department within a private university with 4K enrolled students
Strategized, compiled, analyzed, and completed a complex study/analysis.; developed surveys to assess job satisfaction and retention; conducted statistical analysis and independent study for Catholic Charities' annual job satisfaction questionnaire
Tutored graduate students in advanced statistics; advised current and prospective students on the program, class schedules, and career opportunities to maximize student success; pioneered new recruiting programs to increase visibility, engagement, and enrollment
Leveraged quantitative and qualitative analytics to build, optimize, and manage a student database utilized for recruitment, program improvement, and reporting/data sharing with students and faculty
Psychology Department within a private university with 4K enrolled students

Education

Partners For Public Service

from Foundations in Public Service Leadership Program

01.2021

Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL

Master of Arts (MA) from Industrial + Organizational Psychology

01.2004

Loyola University
Chicago, IL

Bachelor of Science (BS) from Psychology

01.2000

Skills

Relationship building
Consensus building
Collaboration
Project management
Budget management
Training and development

Business strategy
Cross-functional team leadership
Stakeholder engagement
Strategic planning
Cross-functional collaboration
Performance management

Accomplishments

Achieved [Result] by completing [Task] with accuracy and efficiency.
Documented and resolved [Issue] which led to [Results].
Achieved [Result] by introducing [Software] for [Type] tasks.
Supervised team of [Number] staff members.

Federal Status

Current Federal Employee, GS-14

Awards Recognition

2020 Project Management Award (National)
2019 Federal Employee of the Year in Management Excellence (Chicago)
Regional Commissioner Recognition for leading the Quality Keys Initiative (Regional)
Regional Commissioner Recognition for exceptional relationship management with NARA (Regional)
National Account Management Recognition for relationship management with VA, DOC, NLRB (National)
Regional Commissioner Recognition for achieving LCRM and RTS performance measures (National)

Community Committee Involvement

Mentor, Region 5 (6 States) Mentoring Program, GSA, 01/01/21, Present
Mentor, GSA (National) Mentoring Program, 02/01/22, Present
Lead, GSA Hispanic Special Emphasis Program, 08/01/21, 12/31/24
Volunteer, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and School Community, 01/01/08, Present

Veterans Preference

Personal Information

Citizenship: United States of America

Languages

Spanish

Professional Working