Kari Glisson, MBA, PMP

• Managed vendor diligence program: Developed, implemented and led third-party/vendor diligence review processes for 400+ new and continuing contracted operational vendor relationships, and implemented LogicManager as the integrated risk management system for the program
• Worked with Application Development team, Network Services team, Support Services team on many mandates and projects
• Worked closely with IT operations, and with IT, IS and other unit Chiefs and Senior Managers, for initial SharePoint migration and subsequent upgrades, as well as on Office 365 migration
• Deployed multiple SaaS products for enterprise, unit, and team use
• Experience creating and maintaining project plans, including criteria for risk, financial resources, time restrictions / critical path modifications, and technical specifications
• Experience leading and facilitating meetings, and conducting projects and programs to charter or management objectives
• Experience with user acceptance testing / validation and continuous improvement
• Experience using Monday.com, Asana, Jira, SmartSheet, Brightwork, MS Project and other tools, to manage project timelines, resources, assignments, risks, and communications
• Experience creating RAID logs and RACI matrices for concurrent complex projects
• Experience working with Enterprise Project Management Office
• Implemented onboarding requirements and participated in first Vendor Management Program Audit with successful result
• Experience with risk management and being an accountable party to risk measurements, as well as reporting on risk status and project deployments to senior leadership and various stakeholders
• Experience with 3rd party financial and technical / vulnerability audits
• Conducted needs assessments and negotiated contracts
• Produced annual spend analysis and presented trends to leadership
• Managed agency’s cyber insurance program Incident Management Team Lead Alternate: coordinated disaster recovery response efforts, served as backup administrative lead from 2016-2024 to provide ongoing support to leadership during storms and other events, and led frequent training programs.
• Conducted SOC and IT compliance assessment reviews and reported exceptions to leadership
• Managed Bitsight platform for third party monitoring of 400+ operational vendors; evaluated vendors' ratings weekly and reported and tracked exceptions
• Reported regularly to information security and other oversight groups
• Facilitated periodic vendor review meetings to discuss performance issues, address concerns, and explore opportunities for process improvements.
• Optimized procurement processes through strategic sourcing initiatives, reducing lead times and improving cost-effectiveness.
  

• Created Vendor Management program, including defining, planning, implementing, and measuring operational processes for quantitative and qualitative risk measurements
• Participated in risk reviews
• Evaluated diverse organizational systems to identify workflow, communication, and resource utilization issues.
• Proactively identified potential bottlenecks in supply chain through rigorous tracking systems implementation.
• Led contract negotiations with new vendors, securing advantageous terms that supported long-term business growth.
• Created and optimized records management strategies to coordinate and protect information.
• Partnered with legal teams in drafting contracts that protected company interests while maintaining positive vendor relationships.
• Conducted thorough reviews of operations to devise and deploy improvement strategies.
• Negotiated favorable contract terms with vendors to secure best possible pricing and service levels for the company.
• Recommended reporting and benchmarking operational improvements based on tracking and analysis of vendor ERP data.
• Streamlined vendor management processes, resulting in improved efficiency and reduced overhead costs.
• Identified potential cost savings through detailed analysis of spending patterns across multiple categories of goods and services provided by vendors.
• Produced detailed and relevant reports for use in making business decisions.
• Developed strong partnerships with key vendors, fostering a collaborative environment for mutual success.
• Compiled research data and gave professional presentations highlighting finds and recommended optimizations.
• Established clear performance metrics for vendors, enabling consistent monitoring of results and identification of opportunities for improvement.
• Gathered, documented, and modeled data to assess business trends.
• Implemented a centralized database for tracking and managing all vendor-related information, improving accessibility and transparency across the organization.
• Managed vendor diligence program: Led third party diligence review processes for 400+ new and continuing contracted operational vendor relationships
• Implemented onboarding requirements and participated in audit with successful result
• Produced annual spend analysis and presented trends to leadership
• Managed cybersecurity insurance program for 400+ operational vendors and mitigated risk to organization
• Incident Management Team Lead Alternate: coordinated disaster recovery response efforts, served as backup admin lead to provide ongoing support to leadership during storms and other events, and led frequent training programs (remote, in-person, hybrid, and live or recorded).

Finance and Performance Experience:

• Produced annual benchmarking analysis for cost-effective management of the pension, including utilizing advanced financial formulas, creating queries, analyzing data from financial operations, accounting, diverse asset classes, and continuously enhancing the output which was presented to Trustees as part of annual budget
• Worked closely with Pension and Investment Fund teams, as well as adjacent funds such as hurricane catastrophe, prepaid college, bond finance, treasury
• Collaborated with external consultants on many financial and accounting analysis projects
• Developed the KPI (key performance indicator) program used by the Chief Financial and Operating Officer to monitor activities of direct reports.
• Generated detailed, confidential reports on business performance metrics and investment activity using advanced software tools like Microsoft Excel or PowerPoint presentations tailored for executive audiences' preferences. Data was gathered and analyzed in enterprise solutions, and reported to management per their preference(s).
• Worked with senior management to initiate new projects and assist in various processes.
• Assisted senior management and executive leadership with meeting their mandated reporting requirements to legislative oversight roles.
• Maintained confidentiality by handling sensitive information with discretion and professionalism at all times.
• Streamlined operations and prioritized tasks, allowing senior staff to increase productivity.
• Processed travel expenses and reimbursements for executive team and senior management group.
• Anticipated needs proactively by providing extensive scheduling, logistical, or travel needs
• Screened personal and business calls and directed to appropriate party.
• Updated spreadsheets and created presentations to support executives and boost team productivity.
• Prepared agendas and minutes for senior-level meetings that prioritized discussion topics effectively addressing critical business issues.
• Facilitated training and onboarding for incoming office staff.
• Entrusted to coordinate and manage special projects of varying degrees of complexity, while balancing confidentiality and discretion
• Served as liaison between the CFO's office and other internal departments, facilitating clear communication channels throughout the organization.
• Conducted research and analyzed data to provide detailed reports on various business topics.
• Wrote reports, executive summaries and newsletters.
• Contributed to a positive work environment by maintaining strong working relationships with colleagues across all levels of the organization.
  

• Managed community grant program.
• Led first OSHA safety self-audit with successful result.
• Implemented first OSHA safety training program and exceeded our project goals for compliance and outcomes.
• Proofread editorial content and communicated with all business departments, locally and at Gannett corporate.
• Handled confidential and sensitive information with discretion and tact.
• Coordinated and led community events and fundraisers for charity.
• Facilitated training and onboarding for incoming office staff.
• Supported business and hospitality needs of corporate partners and staff during meetings and company events.
• Contributed to budget management by monitoring expenses and providing detailed expenditure reports regularly.
• Aided in the recruitment process by screening resumes, scheduling interviews, and assisting with candidate selection.
• Streamlined executive communication by managing emails, phone calls, and scheduling appointments.
• Supported executives in decision-making processes by conducting research and presenting findings in clear formats.
• Wrote reports, executive summaries and newsletters.
• Transcribed meeting minutes to support sales, business development and senior management teams.
• Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
• Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
• Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through the development of innovative solutions.
• Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.

• Led all daily leadership activities for multiple client accounts (medical and legal non-profit associations). I managed governance, supported board members and other client leaders, wrote bylaws, worked with legislative staff on special projects, delivered presentations, and oversaw finances, membership, events and education.
• Assisted in the onboarding process for new clients, ensuring a smooth transition into the company''s roster of accounts.
• Streamlined account management processes for increased efficiency and improved client retention rates.
• Applied needs-based analysis to assess current satisfaction and importance of various services to customers.
• Trained junior team members on best practices for account executive responsibilities, fostering a collaborative work environment focused on continuous improvement.
• Enhanced fundraising efforts by developing and implementing strategic plans for donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Improved program outcomes through diligent monitoring, evaluation, and ongoing refinement of strategies based on data-driven insights.
• Managed financial resources responsibly by developing annual budgets, monitoring expenses closely, and making data-driven decisions that maximized the impact of available funds on program outcomes achieved during each fiscal period under review or evaluation.
• Supported and complied with audits and other reviews when needed.
• Established a robust volunteer program to engage community members in supporting organizational goals while fostering personal growth and development among participants.
• Expanded organizational reach by identifying partnership opportunities with like-minded organizations and creating joint initiatives that benefited both parties.
• Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
• Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
• Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating and inspiring others.
• Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
• Enhanced member satisfaction by implementing personalized service strategies and addressing individual needs.
• Aligned organization goals with member outcomes and increased satisfaction by automating contact management systems.
• Worked closely with many allied organizations to collectively resolve our mutual challenges.
• Designed training materials and facilitated workshops to strengthen team skills in providing top-tier member support.
• Negotiated favorable contract terms with external vendors, ensuring cost-effective solutions without compromising service quality.
• Managed cross-functional teams to ensure seamless delivery of exceptional member experiences.
• Collaborated with advertising group to create uniformity between advertising messages and retail incentives.
• Developed compelling presentation decks to gain approval for ideas and communicate results.
• Implemented state-of-the-art technology solutions that improved both staff productivity and overall member experience substantially.
• Implemented data-driven decision-making processes, optimizing the efficiency of member services operations.
• Organized promotional events and interacted with community to increase sales volume.
• Developed creative themes for events and created related activities to engage attendees.
• Monitored and controlled event expenditures to meet budgets.
• Oversaw event registration process by collecting and tracking attendee information.
• Developed and implemented successful marketing plans to generate event revenue.
• Collaborated with sponsors to secure funding and support for high-profile events.
• Reduced event costs by negotiating favorable terms with suppliers and vendors without compromising on quality or service levels.
• Utilized electronic media to engage potential attendees and promote upcoming events effectively, which resulted in increased attendance and revenue.
• Maintained and built comprehensive database of industry contacts, vendors and venues.

Major: Communications; Emphasis in Public Relations

Minor in English (writing and composition)