Karina Valencia

In my role at Citi, I lead multifunctional teams across regions (Latin America, the USA, Europe, and Asia) in order to drive business and operational efficiency by implementing streamlined processes, resulting in high improvements and cost reductions. Some of the activities I lead and perform are:

• Managed development of project deliverables within established timelines and budgets.
• Reviewed completed work for consistency, quality, and adherence to standards.
• Organized team-building activities to foster a positive workplace culture.
• Identified process optimization opportunities through data analysis techniques such as gap analysis.
• Communicated effectively across all staff levels to ensure project clarity and alignment.
• Recommended innovative solutions based on best practices for cost reduction and improved service quality.
• Facilitated stakeholder alignment workshops to support transformation objectives.

Lead strategic initiatives to streamline TTS Payment processing operations across USA and Latin America some of the activities I was in charge to assure execution and performance were:

• Executed instant payment transactions, adhering to service level agreements.
• Collaborated with stakeholders to establish workflows that enhanced operational efficiency.
• Directed cross-functional teams to ensure effective project execution and stakeholder engagement.
• Facilitated communication between executive leadership and departments to align objectives.
• Analyzed market trends to inform business development and investment strategies.
• Oversaw risk management processes to protect company assets and maintain reputation.
• Hired, trained, and mentored staff to enhance productivity throughout operations.

Led commercial card teams across Latin America to streamline operations and enhance customer focus by:

• Led weekly status meetings with project teams in order to track progress against milestones.
• Created training materials and facilitated workshops to ensure staff was up-to-date on industry best practices.
• Assisted in developing business cases for proposed projects or initiatives.
• Coordinated cross-functional teams in order to deliver large scale projects within agreed upon timelines.
• Collaborated with senior management to identify cost-saving opportunities and develop strategies for achieving financial objectives.
• Transformed organizational practices by guiding teams through adoption of new IT platforms and vendors.
• Partnered with business lines to establish frameworks for strategic initiatives and project execution.
• Drove adoption of Citi Enterprise Architecture tools to support Global Business Services and Operational Resilience.
• Developed taxonomies and published standard playbooks to ensure clarity in processes.
• Created process mapping models to facilitate design engineering improvements.
• Provided governance and oversight for change management programs, ensuring accountability.
• Delivered metrics and reporting solutions to maintain consistency and control across functions.

• I guide and offer consultancy to foreign companies launching their businesses in the Ecuadorian market, without the costs, risks, and delays associated with opening foreign offices and hiring local employees. We offered a networked service of sales and lead generation professionals, combined with proven strategies, resources, and contacts. We support and drive business innovation, modeling, and IT consultancy.
• Clients: Mototech, Addaccion (CRM), TEAM QUALITY (CORE BANKING).
• We work as on-demand sales professionals who represent your brand in-country, blend in with your company culture, and leverage local market knowledge and customer contacts.

• Conducts interviews with prospective borrowers in order to analyze financial and credit data, determine customer financing objective, advise customers of product/pricing policies and guidelines, and gather any additional required information. Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional client support.

• As a Business IT Strategist Consultant I provide technical guidance on how to improve the implementation and coordination of a SAP solution.
• A SAP partner was in charge of implementing this solution at a government entity in Ecuador through an IDB (Inter-American Development Bank) loan for technology innovation. My consultancy services scope was to guide and conduct data-driven decisions through counseling, developing strategies, new techniques, and processes throughout the business units to accomplish the project objectives, and engage the stakeholders and team members.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for all digital matters related to Business Innovation between the client, the Bank, and the Vendor, facilitating and ensuring that the overall functional scope of the proposed solution remains aligned with the contract specifications through the SOW agreed upon by the parties.

As Director of Sales and Marketing, I was responsible for leading large-scale program governance teams to prioritize and manage all digital demand for business innovation and strategies to gain market opportunities, define sales strategies, and gross profit goals for the company through the definition of strategic business and marketing plans based on market trends at each country level.

• Partnership with stakeholders and appropriate digital groups to manage the successful execution of the strategy, including solution delivery, business adoption, and business case achievement, by leading a cross-functional team throughout Latin America, with whom we were responsible for defining appropriate tactical plans to develop and accomplish quotas for regional and territorial sales teams. Additionally, I managed and accompanied the program manager throughout the implementation process to ensure the customer experienced a smooth and controlled change management process with us.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop targeted marketing campaigns.
• Directed strategic sales initiatives to enhance market presence and brand recognition.
• Managed client relationships to ensure satisfaction and retention rates improved.
• Oversaw budget planning for sales and marketing departments, ensuring efficient resource allocation.
• Implemented digital marketing strategies to increase online visibility and customer reach.
• Analyzed market trends to identify new opportunities for growth.
• Developed pricing models for various products and services according to market conditions.
• Planned promotional events such as trade shows, conferences, webinars.
• Directed staff in effective sales techniques and processes.
• Developed creative content including brochures, videos, website copywriting.
• I also work with HR to retain talent throughout the organization by supporting the recruiting, training, and mentoring programs. Developed and cultivated strong relationships with clients and stakeholders by promoting their engagement and reinforcing communication through the development of a monthly magazine, representing the company at several IT events across the region in which I participated as an expositor at the Digital Bank of Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador.

• As a business innovative client partner, I was responsible for advising on all aspects of digital technology topics, opportunities, and internal digital capabilities to our clients across their technology and business organizations by developing integrated strategies and business innovative solutions that addressed clients' business needs and delivered value to our accounts while supporting IBM business programs through cost-benefit business cases and financial modeling.
• Provided ongoing technical and operational guidance to lead professional work teams, conducted special projects, and managed department(s) (national and international). Defined and decided objectives within a specified business concept or project, and was responsible for assigning tools and resources to assure their success and reinforce our customers' experience with IBM.
• Developed strategic sales plans to expand market presence in assigned territory.
• Engaged clients through presentations and product demonstrations to drive interest.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align sales strategies with company goals.
• Conducted market research to identify trends and opportunities for growth.
• Analyzed competitor offerings to refine product positioning and sales messaging.
• Developed and implemented sales strategies to increase territory revenue.
• Developed relationships with key decision makers at target accounts.
• Promoted brand awareness through effective communication of product features and benefits.
• Identified potential customers, evaluated their needs and created customized solutions.

• As Software Client Lead I was responsible for the total client relationship for all software solution components with one or more important IBM clients in one or more industries.
• Engaged in the selling of IBM software solutions/products, financing and services.
• Responsible for customer satisfaction, overall territory management and control of business objectives.
• Collaborate internally and lead on SW Solution sell to prospect Customer, understand customer business environment to respond with IBM SW solution Knowledge of SW offerings along with financial and selling skills to effectively handle routine assignments and to assist on more complex assignments, for opportunities within the territory.

As Country manager I directed regional operations to improve service delivery and customer satisfaction by:

• Developed strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to drive market growth.
• Managed cross-functional teams for alignment with corporate objectives.
• Analyzed market trends to uncover expansion and investment opportunities.
• Negotiated contracts with suppliers and vendors to secure favorable terms.
• Oversaw daily operations of country office, including budgeting and staffing decisions.
• Monitored competitor activities to identify growth opportunities and formulate plans.
• Reviewed customer feedback and generated reports to pinpoint service improvement areas.

• Led cross-functional teams to implement strategic initiatives across multiple markets.
• Developed and executed market entry strategies to enhance regional presence.
• Managed relationships with key stakeholders to drive business growth and collaboration.
• Conducted market analysis to identify trends and inform decision-making strategies.
• Coordinated communication between headquarters and local operations for alignment.
• Managed day-to-day operations of the country office, including budgeting, forecasting, and staffing decisions.
• Negotiated contracts with suppliers and vendors in order to secure favorable terms.
• Monitored competitor activities, identified opportunities for growth and developed plans to capitalize on them.
• Provided leadership in driving change initiatives within the country office by developing action plans and engaging employees in a positive manner.

• As BRM, I led international agreements signed with the global accounts including: CLARO/TELMEX (Mexico), IBM, and Citibank, to be implemented in Ecuador. I also developed and executed the annual marketing plan.
• As Business Consultant and Project Manager I executed 2 Consultancy Projects with the World Bank focused on releasing information regarding IT and Operational process maturity of 15 cooperatives.

• Streamlined business processes to enhance operational efficiency across departments.
• Developed process mapping to identify improvement opportunities and reduce redundancies.
• Facilitated cross-functional workshops to gather requirements and align stakeholder objectives.
• Implemented change management strategies to support new initiatives and training programs.
• Analyzed workflow data to inform strategic decision-making and resource allocation.
• Established best practices for process documentation and knowledge sharing among teams.
• Compiled, modeled, and reported on data to support efficiency targets.

• Oversaw daily manufacturing operations and ensured compliance with safety standards.
• Managed production schedules to optimize workflow and resource allocation.
• Coordinated quality control inspections to maintain product standards.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to resolve operational issues promptly.
• Monitored inventory levels and coordinated supply chain activities effectively.
• Maintained accurate records of all activities related to manufacturing operations.
• Managed day-to-day operations including scheduling shifts, assigning tasks, monitoring progress.
• Coordinated with engineering, purchasing, inventory control, and other departments to ensure that all operational requirements were met.

• Implemented corrective actions for identified quality issues during audits.
• Collaborated with project teams to enhance overall service quality.
• Monitored compliance with industry regulations and internal policies.
• Led root cause analysis for recurring quality concerns in projects.
• Reviewed and approved documentation related to quality processes and outcomes.
• Facilitated communication between departments to promote quality initiatives.
• Identified root causes for defects by analyzing statistical data from test results, customer feedback and other sources.
• Reviewed standard operating procedures or quality assurance manuals to refine production processes or update for conformity to new regulations or policies.
• Maintained records related to product inspections, tests, calibrations and other quality control activities in accordance with applicable regulations.

• As Process Consultant I spearheaded the deployment of the Six Sigma Quality Process Framework for Central America, Ecuador and Peru Branches. I was trained and certified in the 'train the trainer' programs of DMAIC, SIX SIGMA, PDCA process improvement and TOOLS for Problem Solving, train programs through the Central America, Ecuador and Peru Branches.
• As Cash Management Assistant Manager, I was the CM Manager back up responsible for designing, implementing and managing the Funds Transfer Unit for Citibank Ecuador in charge of the global, enterprise, and Red Carpet Accounts.
• I was also the first Back Office Consultant certified by the Sales Educational program and obtained the Spinning Bronze Sales Certification.