Kristina Goetz
Denver,CO
Summary
Experienced Head of Product Operations with a proven track record of success in software development, implementation, and program management with over 20 years of experience. Helped scale Gusto from 100k customers to 250k+, driving significant growth and revenue. Results-oriented leader, focused on continuous improvement and individual development aligned with company goals. Strong analytical mindset; able to translate complex systems and processes into practical applications. Adept at establishing effective relationships and navigating organizational boundaries, bringing a process-oriented problem solving approach to drive success.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Strategy & Operations
Llama, Llc
05.2023 - Current
- Increased company growth by developing and implementing innovative strategies.
- Improved overall business performance through comprehensive data analysis and strategic planning.
- Led cross-functional teams to execute successful initiatives, driving significant revenue increases.
- Identified new market opportunities, expanding the company''s reach and customer base.
- Optimized organizational structure to enhance efficiency and productivity across all departments.
- Implemented change management processes for seamless transitions during periods of company growth or restructuring.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement, fostering innovation and adaptability among employees.
- Streamlined operations by identifying inefficiencies and implementing targeted solutions.
- Built high-performing teams through effective recruitment, training, and development programs.
- Drove process improvements that led to cost savings and increased profitability for the company.
- Fostered an environment of collaboration between departments, breaking down silos and encouraging cross-functional cooperation toward shared goals.
- Evaluated emerging trends within the industry landscape to ensure continued competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market.
Co-Owner, Co-Founder
CrossFit Wash Park
01.2013 - Current
- Built a fully-functional fitness facility from the ground up which presently services 250+ members
- Previously acted as Operations Manager for the business; handled all membership needs, performed financial analysis, account & relationship management, sales & marketing tasks
- Performs personalized needs assessments, identifying goals & barriers to be overcome, then creating tailored health, fitness & nutritional approaches to ensure results are obtained
- Educates clients on the basis of proper fitness & nutrition, giving them the tools they need to succeed
- Develops rapport with clients to effectively motivate them to accomplish their goals
- Ensures the gym is a safe, productive, welcoming place for each and every individual who enters
- Creatively designs workouts and instructs group classes in an efficient and professional manner
- Effectively breaks down complex movements into manageable pieces, ensuring clients are able to grasp concepts being taught regardless of prior experience or level of knowledge.
Head of Product Operations
Gusto
05.2019 - 02.2023
- Led 30 person team responsible for shaping and supporting product development in collaboration with Engineering, Product Management, Design, and Customer Experience teams across all customer-facing product areas
- Facilitated product launches between product and customer experience teams including designing and implementing service delivery models for new products
- Worked closely with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure Customer Experience team readiness for product changes and deliver insights post-launch to ensure a positive experience for customers and internal teams
- Provided business insights and recommendations based on data to influence strategy, operational design and product roadmap
- Identified and drove cross-functional initiatives that will deliver value for customers and Gusto
- Redesigned key processes internally and manage from conception through execution.
Program Management Office Director
Jones Lang LaSalle
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Member of 5 person leadership team for the IBM Practice within JLL's Technology Solutions Group
- Overall accountability for PMO revenue, gross profit, & cost
- Responsible for monthly & quarterly budget planning & forecasting
- Handled resource allocations across ~50 active projects based on current capacity & sales pipeline
- Directed teams of Project Managers, Developers, and Consultants, managing a suite of active projects & programs with strategic clients ranging across Finance, Telecommunications, Retail, & Government
- Developed detailed templates & documentation to establish organization-wide best practices for software development
- Established repeatable processes, incorporating lessons learned on an ongoing basis; created playbooks to ensure standardized methodology
- Established standardized PM processes, tools, governance, methodology & KPI reporting (management & executive level)
- Developed the practice-wide model for review of critical projects & escalation to executive leadership of issues/risks & decisions required
- Participated in the training, mentoring & development of Project & Program Managers including creation of new hire PM training & weekly skills building sessions.
TRIRIGA/MAXIMO/Archibus Project Manager
Computerized Facility Integration
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Responsibilities included the day-to-day management of a portfolio of software projects focused on the implementation of Real Estate and Facility Management engagements for a host of public and private clients
- Management responsibilities included leading diverse multi-functional teams in the accomplishment of program objectives; leading efforts in the areas of sales & account management, strategic consulting, technical development, and client support services
- Acted as the key focal point for communications between clients and CFI during contract execution and established command and control over management of scope, cost, schedule and quality of each engagement.
Systems Engineering Surveillance Manager
Defense Contract Management Agency
01.2012 - 03.2013
- Conducted functions related to contract cost, schedule and performance including: evaluation of production engineering effort, logistics support programs, master planning schedules, test equipment, facilities and material review of nonconforming hardware
- Provided technical advice and consultation in relation to independent research and development bid and proposal expenses, first article inspections, production, plant layout, manufacturing processes and techniques, and contract schedule changes
- Evaluated contractor manufacturing and design processes for implementation of engineering best practices, earned value management compliance, and contractor engineering change proposals
- Provided feedback to the Chief Engineer (CE) regarding the adequacy and clarity of engineering surveillance processes
- Analyzed trends to assist with managing agency level performance indicators, recommending corrective action, establishing lessons learned, and influencing the improvement of processes.
Senior Engineer
ARES Corporation
07.2007 - 12.2010
- Key member of the Advanced Concepts Division, with analysis concentrated in the Aerospace industry (NASA Shuttle, International Space Station, and Missile Defense)
- Served on Risk and Hazard Analysis, Probability Risk Assessment, and Reliability Analysis teams within this Division
- Responsible for all project controls and financial analysis for Joint National Integration Center R&D contract
- Tracked actual, planned & budgeted spending for $2M+ program for over 20 employees
- Worked with NASA and company orbital engineers to develop a detailed, independent hazard analysis for NASA's new Crew Exploration Vehicle, exploring possible failure modes during all mission phases
- Co-authored System Failure Case Study for NASA's Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology Program.
Program Manager
Jackson & Tull
07.2006 - 07.2007
- Performed program management, information and process management, configuration management, resource and facility management, and quality control management
- Developed and delivered to the customer proposals to include the cost, schedule, and technical approach associated with the performance of contract tasks.
Lead Scientist
Air Force Nuclear Weapons and Counterproliferation Agency
03.2005 - 07.2006
- Led DoD and Dept of Energy (DOE) nuclear cruise missile weapon teams, ensuring Presidential, & DoD nuclear requirements were met
- Directed warhead/platform integration efforts for the $2.5B W80 Life Extension Program
- Chaired W80 nuclear warhead subgroup comprised of over 20 agencies, which ensured all software, hardware, & system integration efforts of joint DoD, DOE activities were progressing
- Managed $4M division operational budget, funding all division activities for >20 people.
Master's Student
Air Force Institute of Technology
08.2003 - 03.2005
- Completed studies and coursework focused on gaining expertise relating to nuclear technology, electrical engineering, and counterproliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, including technology applications of interest to the DoD
- Conducted a DoD-sponsored research program countering adversarial advances in the area of biological warfare.
Satellite Alert Officer
Air Force Technical Applications Center
06.2000 - 07.2003
- Responsible for making time-critical, independent nuclear detonation assessments using data from over 100 spacecraft sensors on Defense Support Program and Global Positioning System satellites
- Identified, analyzed, and resolved satellite sensor and ground system anomalies and addressed operational concerns to ensure continued reliability of the nation's capability to detect, analyze, and report nuclear events using space-based assets
- Extensive work with IDL based modeling/simulation software to assess/analyze mission impact of reconfiguring orbital elements of US satellite constellations.
Education
Master of Science - Nuclear Engineering
Air Force Institute of Technology
03.2005
Master of Science - Engineering Management
Florida Tech
06.2003
Bachelors of Science - Nuclear Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
06.2000
Skills
- Data-driven decision-making
- Financial modeling
- Change management
- Program Management
- Strategic planning
- Process improvement
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Team leadership
- Operational efficiency
- Business Intelligence
Other Training Skills
- The Leadership Consortium, Spring 2022 Cohort graduate; interactive leadership curriculum delivered by Harvard Business School faculty
- Highly proficient in speaking, reading, and writing Spanish
- Proficient in the use of Salesforce, Workday, Airtable, Asana
- Adjunct Faculty - Physics Department, Community College of Denver (actively taught 2009-2011)
- Certified CrossFit Instructor for over 10 years; regularly teach adults of all levels fundamentals of strength & conditioning
- Certified instructor of Personal Defense Readiness courses (self-defense)
- Member of local Denver adult soccer & softball teams
References
- Available Upon Request
Timeline
Head of Strategy & Operations
Llama, Llc
05.2023 - Current
Head of Product Operations
Gusto
05.2019 - 02.2023
Program Management Office Director
Jones Lang LaSalle
01.2016 - 01.2019
TRIRIGA/MAXIMO/Archibus Project Manager
Computerized Facility Integration
01.2013 - 01.2015
Co-Owner, Co-Founder
CrossFit Wash Park
01.2013 - Current
Systems Engineering Surveillance Manager
Defense Contract Management Agency
01.2012 - 03.2013
Senior Engineer
ARES Corporation
07.2007 - 12.2010
Program Manager
Jackson & Tull
07.2006 - 07.2007
Lead Scientist
Air Force Nuclear Weapons and Counterproliferation Agency
03.2005 - 07.2006
Master's Student
Air Force Institute of Technology
08.2003 - 03.2005
Satellite Alert Officer
Air Force Technical Applications Center
06.2000 - 07.2003
Master of Science - Nuclear Engineering
Air Force Institute of Technology
Master of Science - Engineering Management
Florida Tech
Bachelors of Science - Nuclear Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology