Karen Marshall
North Chesterfield,VA
Summary
Accomplished Program Manager with a 27 year distinguished military career - very adept in project management and team leadership. Excelled in strategic direction, collaborative relationship development, mentoring/coaching, significantly enhancing team performance and operational efficiency. Expert in MS Office Applications, with a proven track record of fostering cross-functional collaboration, while providing dynamic reporting for data driven decision making while achieving consistently successful outcomes.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Manager
US Air Force - Air National Guard
11.2020 - 12.2024
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring support for program initiatives.
- Managed and supervised administrative and daily program operations, complying with policies and regulations.
- Developed strategic plans, setting clear objectives and achievable milestones for the team.
- Facilitated multiple workshops and conducted one-on-one training to educate team members.
- Utilized data-driven decision-making approaches to inform strategy development and optimize outcomes.
- Coached team members on professional development opportunities, contributing to improved overall performance.
- Collaborated with business leadership to set priorities based on business needs, resource capacity and risk exposure.
- Worked with subject matter experts to develop and implement mentoring programs to promote better learner experiences.
- Engaged and worked alongside cross-functional stakeholders to manage strategic initiatives while leveraging technology tools for enhanced project tracking, reporting, and information sharing among team members.
- Implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Leveraged data and analytics to make informed decisions and drive business improvements.
Deputy Chief of Staff
US Air Force - Headquarters
08.2018 - 10.2020
- Attended meetings to make informed business decisions, provide administrative support and evaluate progress toward goals and objectives.
- Encouraged coordination and cooperation among departments and continuous review of interdepartmental processes to support quality control and improvement.
- Managed business operations to verify on-time completion of key deliverables.
- Organized high-level meetings involving multiple stakeholders while managing agendas, logistics, communication materials.
- Managed high-priority projects, ensuring timely completion and alignment with organizational objectives.
- Assisted in the recruitment of top talent by conducting interviews and evaluating candidate qualifications to ensure a strong military unit.
- Cultivated strong relationships with internal stakeholders, fostering a positive working environment for all staff members.
- Mentored junior staff members for professional growth and career advancement opportunities within the company.
- Developed comprehensive reports for executive leadership, facilitating data-driven decision-making processes.
Senior Enlisted Leader & Mentoring Pgm Coordinator
US Air Forces Europe
06.2016 - 07.2018
- Enhanced program effectiveness by developing and implementing comprehensive mentoring strategies.
- Actively engaged with alumni networks to foster a sense of community among past participants, encourage ongoing involvement in the mentoring program, and ensure long-lasting impact on individual career trajectories.
- Organized engaging events, workshops, and networking sessions for participants to foster personal development and relationship-building opportunities.
- Coordinated travel arrangements by booking airfare, hotel, and ground transportation.
- Anticipated potential challenges in daily operations and devised appropriate solutions to maintain uninterrupted workflow in the executive office.
- Contributed to smooth business operations by planning and organizing meetings and conferences.
- Optimized scheduling efficiency by coordinating meetings, appointments, and travel arrangements for ANG General and ANG Team
- Contributed to strategic planning by providing administrative support during ANG Leadership meetings.
- Supported decision-making processes by compiling research data and presenting findings to the CEO.
- Increased meeting effectiveness with detailed preparation of agendas, materials, and minutes.
- Met with top national and international military leaders/executives on self-designed schedules, both monthly and annually.
Program Manager - Cyber Operations
US Air Force - Air National Guard Headquarters
08.2014 - 01.2016
- Provided expert consultation on long haul communication matters both internally and externally, leading to stronger overall cyber defenses.
- Facilitated change management initiatives while ensuring minimal impact on day-to-day operations and staff morale.
- Maintained strict adherence to safety regulations, minimizing accidents and injuries during operations.
- Improved overall customer satisfaction by implementing efficient garden center operations and addressing customer needs promptly.
- Proactively identified risks within projects and developed contingency plans accordingly in order to maintain smooth operations.
- Fostered strong relationships with local authorities, facilitating smoother operations during emergencies or special circumstances.
- Fostered secure computing environment, educating staff on cybersecurity best practices.
- Contributed to the development of long-term strategic plans for the organization''s logistics and supply chain operations, positioning the Department of Defense for future cyber success.
- Streamlined operations through effective communication with team members regarding project progress and potential challenges.
- Managed volunteer teams for various ministry functions, ensuring smooth operations and high-quality results.
- Liaised with IT team to troubleshoot issues relating to the electronic billing software, ensuring minimal downtime impacting operations negatively.
- Supported affected populations by coordinating and distributing essential supplies during disaster relief operations.
- Led a team of cybersecurity professionals in day-to-day operations, fostering collaboration, skill development, and high performance.
Senior Travel Coordinator
US Air Force - ANG HQ
04.2012 - 08.2014
- Maintained accurate records of all bookings, cancellations, alterations, and associated costs for efficient reporting purposes.
- Streamlined communication channels between travelers, management, and suppliers by implementing a centralized system for submitting requests and tracking approvals.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, resulting in significant cost savings for the company''s travel expenses.
- Managed complex international travel arrangements for senior executives, ensuring seamless itineraries and minimal disruption to schedules.
- Collaborated with other departments to develop customized travel solutions for large-scale events such as conferences and trade shows.
- Increased efficiency in travel planning by streamlining processes and implementing cost-saving strategies.
- Championed cross-departmental collaboration on special projects requiring travel coordination expertise, fostering a sense of unity and teamwork throughout the organization.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with preferred suppliers, leading to improved service levels and exclusive offers.
Marketing and Communications Manager
US Air Force Base
02.2009 - 03.2012
- Streamlined internal team communications by implementing a centralized system (SharePoint) for information sharing across military departments.
- Liaised with Advertising agency to conduct comprehensive market research to identify emerging trends and inform future marketing strategies & worked with public relations team to launch and update company social media profiles, website and blog.
- Increased ANG brand awareness by developing and executing strategic marketing campaigns.
- Co-coordinated trade show participation, increasing ANG visibility within military circles and generating valuable recruiting leads.
- Managed public relations efforts, securing positive media coverage to promote military outreach and recruiting events.
- Co-developed targeted messaging for diverse audiences, ensuring consistent brand voice across all media platforms.
- Built strong relationships with key influencers and partners, amplifying reach of marketing efforts.
- Led team of marketing professionals, providing guidance on best practices and fostering an environment of continuous improvement.
- Coordinated effective placements of media announcements, billboards and print ads for maximum effectiveness and exposure.
- Devised and executed integrated, online and direct marketing campaigns.
Education
Master of Arts - Management And Leadership
Webster University
St. Louis, MO12-2005
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA01-1999
Skills
- Experienced Program Manager
- Team leadership, training & collaboration
- Tactical Roadmapping
- Zoom, Cisco and other Virtual Platforms
- Professional Development Leader
- Collaborative Relationship Development
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Strategic networking and partnerships
Accomplishments
Successfully led and educated nearly 2700 co-located team members (across the world) in the function of 28 programs impacting 108,000 service members of the Air National Guard.
Timeline
Program Manager
US Air Force - Air National Guard
11.2020 - 12.2024
Deputy Chief of Staff
US Air Force - Headquarters
08.2018 - 10.2020
Senior Enlisted Leader & Mentoring Pgm Coordinator
US Air Forces Europe
06.2016 - 07.2018
Program Manager - Cyber Operations
US Air Force - Air National Guard Headquarters
08.2014 - 01.2016
Senior Travel Coordinator
US Air Force - ANG HQ
04.2012 - 08.2014
Marketing and Communications Manager
US Air Force Base
02.2009 - 03.2012
Master of Arts - Management And Leadership
Webster University
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
Virginia Commonwealth University
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