Karen Maish
Lake Balboa,CA
Summary
Detail oriented finance and operations professional with exceptional analytical and reporting skills, including the ability to investigate and understand company demands as well as generate thorough reports while meeting and exceeding strict deadlines. Experienced at handling multiple projects in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments. Strong collaboration abilities as well as leading teams from various backgrounds. Adept at driving team performance, business strategies and making data-supported recommendations. Skilled at identifying optimal tactics to achieve continuous process improvement.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Manager Lighting & Grip Operations
Sunset Studios
Hollywood, CA
01.2020 - Current
- Manage $27.5M+ L&G revenues across 34 sound stages, generating reports, metrics and analytics to corporate finance
- Manage billing operations team and day to day pricing strategies
- Manage vendor and client relationships
- Awarded Adapt with Purpose, Sunset Studios 2023 Generate financial documentation including budgeting, forecasting, analytic and KPI intelligence which lead to 2021 acquisition by Blackstone Group and two ground-up media complex construction projects in NYC and UK
- Designed and optimize customer experience by continuously monitoring and analyzing customer feedback, data and industry trends Built and negotiated 5-year exclusive vendor agreement Realigned invoice approval process and billing efficiencies thru implementing new billing system and working with software development team to improve user interface and functionality.
- Developed and implemented strategies to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and increase productivity.
- Managed a team of 10+ employees by providing guidance, setting goals and objectives, delegating tasks, and monitoring performance.
- Identified areas of improvement within existing operations through process analysis and benchmarking studies.
- Conducted regular performance appraisals for direct reports to provide feedback on their work performance.
- Leadership role in planning annual budgets for each department based on forecasted sales volumes.
- Developed and led process improvements to optimize operations and reduce costs.
- Used data and analytics to diagnose trends and link to business performance outcomes.
- Performed financial analysis to inform discussions with partners and make strategic decisions.
- Developed business plans to incorporate growth, modernization and cost structure improvement.
- Analyzed business performance data and forecasted business results for upper management.
- Held regular one-on-one meetings with employees to review performance and priorities and provide feedback.
- Coordinated with gaffer and camera crew to determine scene lighting and camera placement.
Director of Production Services
NBCUniversal
Los Angeles, CA
09.2017 - 08.2019
- Oversaw $54M Revenues and managed rental agent, warehouse and billing team plus Union employees across three regions
- Launched New York lighting and grip operation, negotiated lease, built operations and vendor support teams.
- Reviewed production schedules, budgets, and quality control procedures.
- Monitored performance of the production team to ensure efficiency and accuracy in meeting deadlines.
- Developed training programs for new hires on equipment usage and safety protocols.
- Created reports detailing financial data, inventory levels, labor costs, product defects.
- Identified areas for improvement within the production process by analyzing current methods and techniques used.
- Directed cost reduction and process improvements to boost workflows and productivity.
- Collaborated with leadership to develop production department budget and forecast.
- Produced daily operations report forecasting staffing needs and production volume to support cost-reduction and service improvement initiatives.
- Contributed to new plant startup and implementation of processes for manufacturing, shipping and receiving and inventory management.
- Oversaw production budget and approved expenditures to direct spending.
Manager Special Projects
NBCUniversal
Los Angeles, CA
06.2014 - 09.2017
- Worked closely with Matt Construction and internal project to lead to oversee and report to CFO financial containment and construction progress for two 18000 SF soundstages on Universal lot
- Lead RFID inventory tracking pilot project across costume, lighting, and prop house operations and 1M+ items which directly lead to promotion to Director Production Services.
- Developed and managed project plans, timelines, resources, budgets and deliverables for special projects.
- Evaluated project performance and identified areas of improvement to ensure successful completion of projects.
- Provided leadership and guidance on all aspects of the special project planning process.
- Monitored progress against key milestones and adjusted resources as needed to stay on track.
Dailies Producer
EFILM
Hollywood, CA
05.2011 - 12.2013
- Managed dailies team on film locations production teams to provide overnight dailies to filmmakers
- See www.Imdb.com for details.
- Organized and attended pre-production meetings with key stakeholders to ensure successful execution of productions.
- Managed the workflow of projects from concept through post-production.
- Created detailed call sheets and ensured all talent, crew, and vendors were informed on set expectations.
- Oversaw daily operations on set including scheduling, problem solving, budget tracking and creative decisions.
- Provided feedback to editors regarding edits during post-production process.
- Identified potential risks associated with certain productions prior to commencement.
- Supervised production staff during planned photo shoots in studio and on location.
- Communicated clear and accurate progress and financial reports to studio executives and other relevant stakeholders.
- Tackled issues with crew members and actors immediately to achieve quick and effective resolution while keeping projects on schedule.
- Coordinated work of lighting and sound crews to streamline production operations.
Campaign Director
Last Chance for Animals
Los Angeles, CA
10.2012 - 04.2013
- Delivered advocacy campaigns, created video and mailing marketing materials, oversaw fundraising events, handled speaking engagements with the media and Los Angeles City Hall.
- Developed and implemented outreach strategies to engage key stakeholders for successful campaign outcomes.
- Organized and managed fundraising events, including solicitation of sponsorships from corporations and individuals.
- Created content for website, social media platforms, and other marketing materials to raise awareness about the campaign.
- Managed team of volunteers to support various aspects of the campaign.
- Provided leadership in developing policy positions that align with the campaign's mission statement.
- Identified opportunities for collaboration with allied organizations working on similar issues.
- Evaluated effectiveness of existing programs and activities by conducting post-campaign analyses.
- Worked with celebrities to maintain strong relationships and campaign traction.
- Drafted and edited interesting press releases for each event, contest or promotion.
- Created promotions campaigns that drove strategic initiatives and raised awareness.
Director of Sales Strategy and Planning
Technicolor
Burbank, CA
10.2007 - 08.2010
- Identified, developed and maintained relationships with key customers and partners.
- Developed and implemented sales strategies to maximize revenue growth.
- Managed a team of sales personnel to ensure performance goals were met or exceeded.
- Created detailed reports on sales performance metrics and trends.
- Developed budget plans for marketing campaigns and promotional activities.
- Implemented effective pricing strategies that increased profits while maintaining customer loyalty.
- Utilized CRM systems to track leads, manage accounts and monitor competitor activity.
- Provided regular training sessions for staff on sales techniques, product knowledge and customer service standards.
- Performed analysis of customer data to create targeted campaigns for different segments.
- Collaborated with other departments such as marketing, operations and finance in order to ensure successful outcomes from sales initiatives.
- Estimated sales volume and profit for current and new products.
- Led sales planning, development and account management to grow existing accounts and establish new sales accounts.
- Supported sales team members to drive growth and development.
- Met with sales and design departments to determine project road maps and create unique products to drive profitability and champion brand.
Director Customer Service
Ascent Media
Los Angeles, CA
06.2004 - 06.2007
- Managed Disney Customer Team, responsible for $20M per year
- Promoted, developed, and built incentive-based team culture
- Collaborated with team to design innovative workflows to improve delivery time, accuracy, and product quality.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive strategies to improve operational processes and organizational efficiency.
- Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated and mentored staff members.
- Identified opportunities for improvement in operational performance metrics.
- Conducted regular meetings with department heads to review progress on strategic initiatives.
- Developed policies and procedures to ensure compliance with corporate standards.
- Reviewed internal reports and identified areas of risk or potential cost savings.
- Coordinated resources across departments to maximize productivity levels.
- Analyzed customer feedback data to identify trends in product performance or customer service issues.
- Prepared presentations for board meetings summarizing key developments within the company.
- Assessed employee performance against established benchmarks or targets.
- Facilitated collaboration between teams by encouraging open communication channels.
- Managed staff, financials and key performance indicators to facilitate business operations.
- Analyzed problematic situations and occurrences to provide solutions and facilitate company survival and growth.
- Met with stakeholders to address issues and implement solutions.
Short Term
Contract Employments
Los Angeles, CA
01.2001 - 06.2004
- Lions of the Kalahari – National Geographic, Production Coordinator Warner Home Video – Implemented B2B digital asset management and content management system for Europe customer service team.
- Coordinated with stakeholders to ensure successful completion of projects within budget and timeline constraints.
- Developed a comprehensive plan to improve customer service standards.
- Identified risks associated with each project and developed strategies to mitigate them.
- Acted as a primary point of contact throughout the duration of projects.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to contribute recommendations and deliver client objectives.
- Analyzed key performance indicators to identify effective strategies.
Director Special Projects
Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc
Culver City, CA
08.1995 - 12.2000
- Lead international team to manage project and deliver financial due diligence, partner search, EEC subsidy requirements and technical design for sound dubbing facility at Studio Babelsberg, Germany
- Provided due diligence for international technology initiatives, partnerships and strategic investments including Sony Authoring Center (Austria), SPE foreign language dubbing in India and SPE broadcast center in Singapore
- Promoted from Senior Financial Analyst to Manager of Finance (1997) to Director of Special Projects (1998).
- Collaborated with senior leadership to set long-term objectives for the company.
- Managed budgeting and financial planning processes for the organization.
- Conducted regular meetings with department heads to review progress on strategic initiatives.
- Reviewed internal reports and identified areas of risk or potential cost savings.
- Coordinated resources across departments to maximize productivity levels.
- Established relationships with vendors and suppliers to secure favorable terms for materials or services.
- Prepared presentations for board meetings summarizing key developments within the company.
- Negotiated agreements with external partners such as contractors or consultants.
- Developed and presented new ideas and conceptualized new approaches and solutions.
- Implemented and prepared comprehensive business plans to expand business.
- Worked with department managers to formulate annual budgets.
- Used strong issue resolution and communication skills to cultivate and strengthen lasting client relationships.
- Reviewed financial statements and sales or activity reports to measure productivity or goal achievement.
- Implemented successful business strategies to increase revenue and target new markets.
- Created effective business plans to focus strategic decisions on long-term objectives.
Senior Financial Analyst
Galileo International
Rosemont, IL
08.1993 - 08.1995
- Responsible for tracking financial performance for EMEA Computer Reservation Terminals, located in travel agencies world-wide
- Provided reporting, forecasting, participant revenue sharing models for vendor subscribers
- Assisted in the administration of carrier agreements and provided financial due diligence and documentation for the formation of the Galileo airline consortium and transition from Covia to Galileo International.
Education
B.S. Management -
Northern Illinois University
MBA Finance -
Quinlan School of Business
Executive Program Negotiation Strategies -
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Certificate in Global Mental Health: Trauma & Recovery -
Harvard Medical School
Skills
- Team Development & Leadership
- Financial Analysis, Budgeting, Reporting, KPIs and Construction Finance
- P&L Contol and Management
- Continuous Improvement, Workflow Planning & Documentation
- Vendor and Client Contracts And Relationships
- Influencing And Negotiating
- Operational Planning & Management
- Revenue Channel Analytics
- Capital Improvement Management
- Financial Statements Expertise
- Partnership Development
Affiliations
- Academy Television Arts & Sciences Member
- American Red Cross, Restoring Family Links Committee Member
- 18th Street Arts Center Board Treasurer and Member
- Sunset Studios Mentorship Program, Mentor
Volunteer Experience
- Red Bucket Equine Rescue Media Liaison
- Created non-profit plan for Horses in the Hood which resulted in award of 501c3
- Children’s Lifeline Traveled to Sierra Leone 2008
- American Red Cross Red Tie Gala Volunteer
Timeline
Sr. Manager Lighting & Grip Operations
Sunset Studios
01.2020 - Current
Director of Production Services
NBCUniversal
09.2017 - 08.2019
Manager Special Projects
NBCUniversal
06.2014 - 09.2017
Campaign Director
Last Chance for Animals
10.2012 - 04.2013
Dailies Producer
EFILM
05.2011 - 12.2013
Director of Sales Strategy and Planning
Technicolor
10.2007 - 08.2010
Director Customer Service
Ascent Media
06.2004 - 06.2007
Short Term
Contract Employments
01.2001 - 06.2004
Director Special Projects
Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc
08.1995 - 12.2000
Senior Financial Analyst
Galileo International
08.1993 - 08.1995
B.S. Management -
Northern Illinois University
MBA Finance -
Quinlan School of Business
Executive Program Negotiation Strategies -
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Certificate in Global Mental Health: Trauma & Recovery -
Harvard Medical School
Similar Profiles
POLLY PROSHLETSOVA (they/she)POLLY PROSHLETSOVA (they/she)
Bookings Coordinator and 399 Teamster Dispatcher at Quixote By Sunset Studios (former Quixote Studios)Bookings Coordinator and 399 Teamster Dispatcher at Quixote By Sunset Studios (former Quixote Studios)
Jeffrey PadillaJeffrey Padilla
IT Manager at Hudson Pacific Properties - Sunset StudiosIT Manager at Hudson Pacific Properties - Sunset Studios
Skylar MurphySkylar Murphy
Automotive Service Technician at Sunset Volkswagen - Sunset Automotive GroupAutomotive Service Technician at Sunset Volkswagen - Sunset Automotive Group