KAREN HINDS VADNAIS
Ellicott City,MD
Summary
Professional leader with extensive experience in driving strategic initiatives and fostering effective team collaboration. Strong background in project management, budget oversight, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring organizational goals are met efficiently. Known for adaptability, reliability, and focus on achieving impactful results. Skilled in leveraging data-driven insights, optimizing processes, and mentoring teams to excel in dynamic environments.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Director & Senior Producer/Director, Dragon Media
Howard Community College
07.2013 - Current
- Assists the Executive Producer in the overall leadership, vision, and operational strategy for Dragon Media’s video and podcast operations, guiding creative direction, production priorities, and workflow execution.
- Leads and directs the video and podcast production team, motivating staff to meet high creative and technical standards in a fast-paced, multi-platform environment.
- Acts as liaison and consultant to internal and external clients, translating complex communication needs into innovative, effective media solutions.
- Reviews incoming production requests, assigns projects to producers, and ensures on-time, on-budget delivery across all video and audio initiatives.
- Collaborates with the Video Production Engineer to develop, write, and maintain technology plans for all digital facilities producing HD video.
- Stays current on evolving technologies in video production, digital media, and podcasting, ensuring department readiness and modernization.
- Assists in preparing production budgets, negotiating and managing contracts, and overseeing goods and services procurement to ensure cost-effective, high-quality project delivery.
- Supervises full-time and part-time production staff, providing mentoring, creative guidance, performance coaching, and constructive feedback in a collaborative environment.
- Helps hire, onboard, and train employees, promoting staff development and continuous skill enhancement.
Senior Producer/Director
Howard Community College
07.2001 - Current
- Produce and direct a wide range of college programming from concept through final delivery, maintaining high production values and meeting institutional goals.
- Manages all logistics for assigned productions, including script breakdown, scheduling, casting, directing talent, crew coordination, travel, equipment needs, and post-production workflows.
- Co-produces the college’s annual commencement livestream and oversees all livestream productions throughout the year.
Manager, Dragon Podcasts
Howard Community College
07.2015 - Current
- Manages Dragon Podcasts, the college's award winning podcast department.
- Project manages nine podcast series using Basecamp, a project management software.
- Reviews podcast show proposals from internal and external clients.
Manager, Howard County Government Television (GTV)
Howard Community College
07.2016 - 07.2023
- Managed county government television operations, ensuring high-quality educational and governmental access programming, contractual compliance, and cablecast standards.
- Oversaw production of county executive and county council installation broadcasts each election cycle.
Instructor, Television & Media Production
Howard Community College
09.1999 - 08.2014
- Taught courses in scriptwriting, TV production, and TV directing, contributing to student development and academic program outcomes.
Coordinator, Television & Radio Program Curriculum
Howard Community College
07.2010 - 07.2013
- Coordinated and managed the Television and Radio academic program aligning curriculum with industry practices.
Producer/Director
Howard Community College
07.1996 - 06.2001
- Produces, directs, writes, and edits live and pre-recorded field and studio television production in a variety of genres.
Production Assistant
Howard Community College
09.1992 - 08.1995
- Assisted production team in daily operations and workflow management.
Education
Master of Arts - Mass Communications
Towson University
Towson, MD12.1998
Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communications
University of Delaware
Newark, DE05.1990
Skills
- Digital broadcast production
- Podcast production
- Non-linear editing systems
- HD workflows
- Team collaboration and leadership
- Digital asset management
- Equipment procurement
- Strategic leadership
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Project management
Core Leadership Competencies
- Strategic Media Leadership & Vision
- Multi-Platform Production Oversight
- Contract Management & Vendor Relations
- Budget Planning & Resource Allocation
- Creative Development from Concept to Delivery
- Workflow, Policy & Process Development
- Broadcast, Cablecast & Digital Technology Planning
- Client Relations & Stakeholder Communication
- Podcasting Strategy & Digital Audio Innovation
Certification
Adobe Audition Certificate
ThinkBIG LearnSmart
October 2024
Leadership Essentials: Women's Group
Loyola University
September 2023
Leading Edge Supervisor Training
Howard Community College
March 2015
EXCEL Leadership Forum
Howard Community College
May 2014
Timeline
Manager, Howard County Government Television (GTV)
Howard Community College
07.2016 - 07.2023
Manager, Dragon Podcasts
Howard Community College
07.2015 - Current
Associate Director & Senior Producer/Director, Dragon Media
Howard Community College
07.2013 - Current
Coordinator, Television & Radio Program Curriculum
Howard Community College
07.2010 - 07.2013
Senior Producer/Director
Howard Community College
07.2001 - Current
Instructor, Television & Media Production
Howard Community College
09.1999 - 08.2014
Producer/Director
Howard Community College
07.1996 - 06.2001
Production Assistant
Howard Community College
09.1992 - 08.1995
Master of Arts - Mass Communications
Towson University
Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communications
University of Delaware