Kalpana Venkatram
Yorba Linda,CA
Summary
Senior Business/IT Program Manager with over 20 years of experience in Life Sciences. Expertise in collaborating with technology and business partners to deliver exceptional results that surpass client expectations. Strong skills in client oversight, issue resolution, and effective presentations. Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining excellent business acumen.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Program & Operations Lead
Independent Consultant
04.2024 - Current
- Providing independent consulting services spanning business operations, program management, marketing, and community engagement.
- Led the launch of a local cloud kitchen business, owning end-to-end setup including menu development, pricing strategy, and go-to-market planning.
- Designed and executed local marketing campaigns to build a customer base across Yorba Linda and Anaheim Hills, including website creation and digital advertising.
- Created branded marketing collateral using Canva and Adobe Express, including menus, flyers, social media assets, and promotional materials.
- Planned, executed, and managed community and nonprofit events from concept through delivery, including budgeting, vendor coordination, sponsorship management, and on-site operations.
- Served in a leadership role for a local nonprofit community organization, managing committees, volunteers, and cross-functional teams.
- Successfully delivered a 300+ family Diwali cultural event at a local community center, securing and managing multiple corporate sponsors and ensuring end-to-end operational execution.
Legal Program Manager
Biocryst
03.2024 - 04.2024
- Oversaw the launch of a CLM system, managing all phases from design and configuration to migration and testing, while developing detailed project plans to ensure timely delivery and mitigate risks effectively.
IT Program Manager
Gilead
04.2023 - 12.2023
- Managed an initiative within Legal Operations to configure the existing global spend transparency data and reporting platform to load US specific transparency master data from existing sources, generate disclosure reports, and predefined analytics reports.
- Conducted an assessment to evaluate the current enterprise Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM), Apttus vs. Icertis a new CLM platform, which promised full integration with SAP.
- Provided program management for various initiatives within Legal Operations and Procurement.
Program Manager
Kaiser Permanente
11.2021 - 12.2022
- Provided program management for NCAL and SCAL CalAIM Initiatives.
- Managed the NCAL and SCAL Incentive Payment Program submission for 5 counties, resulting in $8 Million in finding for Kaiser Permanente.
- Managed the D-SNP workstream across Medi-Cal.
- Managed strategic projects related to CalAIM Initiatives.
Program Manager
Kaiser Permanente
06.2021 - 11.2021
- Provided interim support for key capital expenditures in real estate, construction, lease renewals, clinical technology and equipment, or other high priority cases as assigned.
- Facilitating meetings and coordinating inputs from key partners within KP, such as Clinical or Administrative leaders, Facilities team, Finance, and IT.
- Scheduling reviews with key stakeholders and updating business cases based on feedback.
- Creating business cases to support KP’s delivery and planning strategy.
Senior IT Project Manager, Enterprise PMO
Delta Dental of California
Oakland, USA
04.2018 - 11.2019
- Managed a series of IT improvement initiatives for DeltaCare (dental HMO product) to provide system capabilities to business users to run capitation variance reports, sales demographic reports, and provider reports. These reports enabled users to access information to help them make more informed decisions.
- Managed a project to create an automated process to deal with non-clean claims within the existing enterprise-wide claim system.
- Led an assessment to determine the possibility of replacing the claim system for Delta Dental of California.
- Managed a project to determine and evaluate the company’s long-term data governance and data architecture strategy. Part of this project was establishing a data management platform and evaluating which solution on the market could be customized to meet Delta’s long-term needs.
- Oakland, CA
Senior IT Program Manager
Vivo Inc.
Pleasanton, USA
02.2016 - 12.2016
- Managed all phases of the roll out of a legal matter and invoice management system (e-billing, legal spend management, electronic invoicing, and vendor management) for Gilead Legal in the US, Asia, and South America. Coordinated with business sponsors, vendors, global Legal partners, Gilead’s internal financial team, and other relevant areas of IT to ensure the roll out was on time and successful.
- Managed a project to roll out a policy management system for Gilead's Legal and HR department to manage their Legal/HR policies. Led RFP/RFI process for project and worked closely across business and IT teams to drive effective selection of delivery and solutions partners.
- Led an assessment to determine which type of records should be retained by Gilead Legal and what systems could be rolled out to manage records on Gilead servers.
- Led multiple projects simultaneously from inception through completion, while adhering to project scope, schedule, quality and budget.
- Pleasanton, CA
Senior Program Manager
Genentech
San Francisco, USA
11.2014 - 01.2016
- Managed a strategic philanthropic program named Futurelab, in which Genentech and the South San Francisco Unified School District (SSFUSD) partnered together to enhance student’s science education in SSF, through mentoring, scholarships, field trips, science supplies, and a science competition.
- Managed the development of an interactive website for the SSF middle schools to support the Helix Cup science competition. Partnered with a vendor to create content and layout for website showing student’s standings in competition.
- Spearheaded the development of a scholarship platform to deliver application functionality for SSF students to apply for Genentech scholarships.
- Project managed the creation of a biotech curriculum to introduce students to careers in biotechnology.
- San Francisco, CA
Lead Project Manager
Blue Shield of California
San Francisco, USA
04.2012 - 10.2014
- Managed the successful roll out of wellness platform/mobile app in 2014 that encouraged BSC members to use online social networks to increase well-being in measurable ways. The Wellvolution platform/app provides members with health tools (activity challenges, health challenges, assessments, health content, message boards, and a personal health coach).
- Managed the integration of a Health Risk Assessment (HRA) which resides on the BSC wellness platform with the Covered CA registration system to ensure that BSC is meeting a state mandate to offer HRA's to all exchange members in 2015.
- Led a project to ensure that ICD 10 claims received by providers/facilities can be processed through BSC claim systems before go-live in 10/2016.
- Supported strategic initiatives for the wellness platform in 2015 related to product development in the IFP and ACO market.
- Managed a cross functional effort to create a structure to review high-cost claims that are above $2 million dollars, resulting in over $7 Million dollars in savings for BSC.
- Supported the development of the Health Care Roadmap (corporate strategy) with McKinsey.
- Managed the strategic efforts by the ACO Technology and Patient Care Medical Home teams to create initial plans to support the corporate strategy.
- Created an internal space @shield (corporate intranet site). Created all graphics and communication materials on site to educate BSC employees on the Health Care Roadmap (corporate strategy).
- San Francisco, CA
President of Pratham Young Professionals
Pratham USA
01.2009 - 12.2011
National Compliance Project Manager and Auditor
Kaiser Permanente
Oakland, USA
01.2008 - 12.2010
- Provided oversight to the Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan line of business for all Kaiser Regions. Researched and interpreted FEHBP regulations and laws to establish compliance standards, develop compliance training, and to provide on-going monitoring and reporting to ensure remediation.
- Managed the assessment of the Pricing and Underwriting organization with Regional senior leadership to determine gaps in compliance and to determine opportunities for remediation.
- Led a workgroup within Member Services Call Center and the CSC/Membership Administration Federal Group units to achieve best practices in policies, procedures and operations.
- Led the front-end revenue cycle National Compliance Audit team in several on-site Hospital Billing Audits.
- Articulated audit findings, risks and detailed recommendations to upper management.
- Conducted a compliance assessment of Kaiser's National Diversity Program, focusing on the program's policies & procedures, program activities, and financial transactions.
- Oakland, CA
Strategy and Operations Consultant, Life Sciences and Healthcare
Deloitte Consulting
San Francisco, USA
01.2007 - 12.2007
- Provided consulting services by identifying key client business issues, determining client needs through analysis, evaluating and validating analysis and developing recommendations for the client in the context of overall engagement.
- Performed an End-to-End Revenue Cycle Assessment for a $30B integrated healthcare provider at two client regions and identified several key revenue cycle areas that needed remediation before go-live.
- Performed an analysis of healthcare data around consumer preferences when selecting and paying for healthcare to create a report to aid healthcare clients in tailoring their portfolio of services.
- San Francisco, CA
Senior Consultant, Life Sciences and Healthcare
Navigant Consulting
Los Angeles, USA
01.2006 - 12.2006
- Provided consulting services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients to address a wide range of business issues including market analyses, strategy development and business planning.
- Assessed denial management processes for one of the largest investor-owned health care delivery systems in the nation at 10 of its hospitals and made recommendations to improve the denial management process.
- Los Angeles, CA
Managerial Consultant, Strategic Planning & Consulting
Kaiser Permanente
Pasadena, USA
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Led organizational efforts in preparation to restructure the Lab and Radiology billing process to meet Medicare and Medi-Cal compliance. Conducted stakeholder impact assessments; led cross-functional work teams; developed training content for lab and radiology registration staff.
- Led project to identify the roles and responsibilities of employees in Patient Support Services at Fontana and recommended process improvement opportunities within this department to increase productivity and to clear up a backlog in patient’s request of their medical records.
- Supported Scope of Practice Committee and conducted Scope of Practice audits for Anesthesia departments at each medical center.
- Assisted in developing a marketing plan specifically targeted at Latino population by identifying needs and expectations of subpopulation when seeking healthcare services.
- Pasadena, CA
Business Analyst, Business Strategy & Finance
Kaiser Permanente
Pasadena, USA
01.2003 - 12.2003
- Delivered analytical support for the integration of Membership/Credit Card and Broker Benefit Redesign projects.
- Aided in developing regional reports outlining the system requirements and expected impact of a combined membership/credit card.
- Created presentations to educate management on credit card functionality and the ability of payment technology to aid Kaiser in collecting copays upfront at point of service.
- Pasadena, CA
Health Administrative Intern
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center
Los Angeles, USA
01.2002 - 12.2002
- Los Angeles, CA
Intern to the COO
Health Care Agency of Orange County
Santa Ana, USA
01.2001 - 12.2001
- Santa Ana, CA
Sales Accountant
Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices
Irvine, USA
01.2000 - 12.2000
- Irvine, CA
Property Accountant
Pacific Life Insurance
Newport Beach, USA
01.1998 - 12.2000
- Newport Beach, CA
Education
Master of Arts - Health Administration
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA01.2003
Certificate of Ambulatory Care -
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA01.2003
Bachelor of Arts - Business Economics
University of California at Santa Barbara
Goleta, CA01.1997
Skills
- Project Management (Agile/Waterfall)
- Software Development Life Cycle
- Strategic and Business Planning
- Vendor & Contract Management
- Compliance & Audit Skills (GxP)
- Facilitation and Presentation Skills
Timeline
Program & Operations Lead
Independent Consultant
04.2024 - Current
Legal Program Manager
Biocryst
03.2024 - 04.2024
IT Program Manager
Gilead
04.2023 - 12.2023
Program Manager
Kaiser Permanente
11.2021 - 12.2022
Program Manager
Kaiser Permanente
06.2021 - 11.2021
Senior IT Project Manager, Enterprise PMO
Delta Dental of California
04.2018 - 11.2019
Senior IT Program Manager
Vivo Inc.
02.2016 - 12.2016
Senior Program Manager
Genentech
11.2014 - 01.2016
Lead Project Manager
Blue Shield of California
04.2012 - 10.2014
President of Pratham Young Professionals
Pratham USA
01.2009 - 12.2011
National Compliance Project Manager and Auditor
Kaiser Permanente
01.2008 - 12.2010
Strategy and Operations Consultant, Life Sciences and Healthcare
Deloitte Consulting
01.2007 - 12.2007
Senior Consultant, Life Sciences and Healthcare
Navigant Consulting
01.2006 - 12.2006
Managerial Consultant, Strategic Planning & Consulting
Kaiser Permanente
01.2004 - 01.2006
Business Analyst, Business Strategy & Finance
Kaiser Permanente
01.2003 - 12.2003
Health Administrative Intern
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center
01.2002 - 12.2002
Intern to the COO
Health Care Agency of Orange County
01.2001 - 12.2001
Sales Accountant
Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices
01.2000 - 12.2000
Property Accountant
Pacific Life Insurance
01.1998 - 12.2000
Master of Arts - Health Administration
University of Southern California
Certificate of Ambulatory Care -
University of Southern California
Bachelor of Arts - Business Economics
University of California at Santa Barbara