Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Certification
Career Accomplishments
Timeline
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Kara Lacy

Kara Lacy

Gainesville,VA

Summary

Dynamic Cybersecurity Operations & Program Manager at Accenture Federal Services with 20+ years and a proven track record in proposal delivery and cross-functional collaboration. Expert in project management and data visualization, I drive high-quality outcomes while fostering strong client relationships. Adept at enhancing operational efficiency, I consistently exceed expectations and deliver impactful results.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Quantum Strategy & Program Manager

Accenture Federal Services
Arlington, Virginia
12.2023 - Current
  • Serve as a subject matter expert on post-quantum cryptography (PQC), cryptographic agility, and zero trust architecture.
  • Led cross-functional teams to ensure timely project delivery and alignment with objectives.
  • Developed comprehensive project plans and schedules to enhance execution and stakeholder engagement.
  • Facilitated clear communication among clients, stakeholders, and team members to improve understanding.
  • Collaborate with executive-level stakeholders to support PQC migration, quantum threat modeling, and federal cybersecurity standards.
  • Conducted risk assessments to identify challenges and implement effective solutions.
  • Coordinated resource allocation, enhancing team efficiency and productivity.
  • Monitored project progress through regular reviews to align with strategic goals.

Cybersecurity Operations & Proposal Manager

Accenture Federal Services
Arlington, VA
11.2020 - 12.2023
  • Coordinated sales and proposal delivery tasks throughout all phases to ensure seamless execution.
  • Maintained and organized a comprehensive collateral library for Cyber Practice proposals.
  • Collaborated with cyber practice leadership to deliver high-quality services to government clients.
  • Resolved complex operational issues by working alongside cross-functional teams.
  • Prepared Federal clients for quantum cyber readiness and conducted quantum risk assessments.
  • Designed roadmaps, implemented readiness strategies, and facilitated workshops collaboratively.
  • Updated and enhanced proposal content based on feedback and lessons learned from evaluations.
  • Conducted in-depth research on clients and competitors to strengthen proposal submissions.

Senior Manufacturing Project Planning Manager

Lockheed Martin
Manassas, VA
10.2019 - 11.2020
  • Analyzed data and product flow to optimize supply chain movement and service delivery efficiency.
  • Managed production schedule, budget, and BOM to enhance manufacturing output.
  • Led Operations Excellence Team to improve organizational communications and procedures.
  • Defined comprehensive project plans, timelines, and resource allocation strategies.
  • Delivered high-quality project outcomes while consistently meeting client requirements.
  • Conducted quality checks at key project milestones to ensure standards compliance.
  • Prepared and presented regular project status reports to clients and senior management.
  • Collaborated with manufacturing team to boost production capacity and provided detailed reports on costs and schedules.

Senior Installation Project Manager

Vector Security Networks
Gainesville, VA
10.2018 - 10.2019
  • Managed multiple projects and sites, establishing scope, budget, and timelines.
  • Delegated tasks effectively to enhance team output and manage expectations.
  • Oversaw electronic security system layouts using AutoCAD and PDF software.
  • Collaborated with finance to monitor client invoicing processes efficiently.
  • Defined project objectives and deliverables aligned with client needs and organizational goals.
  • Analyzed operational processes, implementing changes that reduced costs and minimized defects.
  • Tracked project budgets meticulously, ensuring accurate cost estimation throughout lifecycle.
  • Cultivated strong client relationships, resulting in high client satisfaction and repeat business.

Professional Services Project Manager

Powerplan, Inc.
Atlanta, Remote
03.2017 - 10.2018
  • Leveraged extensive project management experience to ensure smooth running of projects as per PMBOK, including scope, time, cost, quality, issue, risk, contract management, status tracking and reporting.
  • Evaluated process status to maximize revenue and reduce project costs.
  • Employed communication skills and collaborated with multiple departments to ensure seamless end-to-end service and customer satisfaction.
  • Effectively managed consultant workflow to ensure timescales, schedules and budgets were exceeded and customer requirements fulfilled to the highest possible standards.
  • Identified potential project risks and devised proactive mitigation strategies, effectively reducing project disruptions.
  • Managed software implementations ranging from $100K to $2M for Tax Accounting clients in the Oil and Gas Industries.

Professional Services Project Manager

Sage Inc.
Reston, VA
11.2015 - 01.2017
  • Delivered multiple multi-faceted projects exceeding budgetary and scheduling expectations.
  • Analyzed risks, communicated statuses, and managed communications to ensure timely deliverables.
  • Successfully planned and executed professional services projects meeting or surpassing client expectations.
  • Served as primary point of contact for clients, addressing inquiries and providing project updates.
  • Monitored project progress, promptly addressing deviations and implementing changes to maintain alignment.

Sales Operations Manager

Sage Inc.
Reston, VA
07.2001 - 11.2015
  • Oversaw team of 15, enhancing support for Florida-wide sales initiatives.
  • Architected order entry process, achieving over 1500 orders monthly.
  • Liaised cross-departmentally to strengthen internal and external business relationships.
  • Developed and executed strategic operational plans aligned with organizational objectives, boosting efficiency.
  • Engineered process reviews, implementing new procedures that raised customer satisfaction ratings.
  • Generated and presented operational reports to senior management, highlighting key performance metrics.
  • Monitored CRM databases, ensuring accuracy in account creation and pipeline management alongside sales team.

Education

United States Air Force & Technical Training - Supply Chain Management

Minot Air Force Base
Minot, ND

Skills

  • MS Office Suite
  • Project management software
  • CRM systems
  • Enterprise resource planning
  • Data visualization tools
  • Collaboration platforms
  • Cloud computing solutions
  • Hardware development and testing

Certification

  • Palo Alto: Firewall Essentials: Configuration and Management (EDU-210), Arlington, VA
  • Palo Alto: Panorama: Managing Firewalls at Scale (EDU-220), Arlington, VA
  • Cybersecurity Certification, ISC2, Arlington, VA
  • TQ Quantum Computing Certification, Accenture Federal Services, Arlington, VA
  • TQ Artificial Intelligence & Generative AI Certification, Accenture Federal Services, Arlington, VA
  • Project Management Certification, Strategy Execution, Arlington, VA
  • Six Sigma (Green Belt), Sage Inc., Reston, VA

Career Accomplishments

  • Earned several awards and achievement milestones for successfully collaborating and winning work on Cyber technical proposals that supported the Federal Government.
  • Garnered enviable reputation as Operations Excellence Team lead by managing organizational green metrics and driving budget and schedule improvements that increased productivity.
  • Gained industry respect for consistently bringing in multi-million-dollar implementation projects on time and on budget while building lasting client relationships and winning repeat business.
  • Earned recognition from operations directors and military leaders for accomplished management skills, integrity, and reasoned leadership approach; proud recipient of United States Air Force Ribbon and National Defense Service medal with active Government security clearance.

Timeline

Quantum Strategy & Program Manager

Accenture Federal Services
12.2023 - Current

Cybersecurity Operations & Proposal Manager

Accenture Federal Services
11.2020 - 12.2023

Senior Manufacturing Project Planning Manager

Lockheed Martin
10.2019 - 11.2020

Senior Installation Project Manager

Vector Security Networks
10.2018 - 10.2019

Professional Services Project Manager

Powerplan, Inc.
03.2017 - 10.2018

Professional Services Project Manager

Sage Inc.
11.2015 - 01.2017

Sales Operations Manager

Sage Inc.
07.2001 - 11.2015

United States Air Force & Technical Training - Supply Chain Management

Minot Air Force Base

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