Laura Castle
Langley,WA
Summary
Results driven Program Manager with over 20 years of experience successfully managing complex multi-workstream engagements across diverse industries. Adept at overseeing end-to-end project lifecycles, I consistently deliver exceptional results by leveraging my technical expertise and strategic mindset. Deep experience in global organizational change management as well as professional services and software development lifecycle methodology improvement.
Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success.
Overview
1
1
Certification
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Change Manager
WPP
2020.07 - Current
- Spearhead change management workstream for a multi-year multi-country Workday ERP Finance/PSA/HCM global deployment and transformation program, partnering with training and communication teams to ensure business readiness and adoption.
- Implemented change-related activities including change impact analysis, strategy development, readiness assessment, and adoption measurement to support effective transition.
- Maintained accurate progress tracking, prepared status updates for project leadership, and collaborated across multiple workstreams to ensure alignment and transparency.
- Demonstrated strong skills in program and project management, business process improvement, organizational change management, agile methodology, and oral and written communication.
- Deep understanding of Professional Services processes including Project Management, Sales Intake, Resource Management, Revenue Management, Billing, and Procure to Pay.
Regional Operations Director
Wunderman Thompson (a WPP Agency)
2010.01 - 2020.07
- Led rollout and adoption of regional programs and tools across 7 agency locations, including netSuite ERP finance/PSA deployment, You Earned It employee incentive and rewards tool, PMO ways of working in APAC, and centralization of tools and subscriptions, enhancing operational consistency.
- Implemented organizational change management for agency mergers and standardized resource management practices across the region, fostering smoother transitions and improved collaboration.
- Senior leadership team member responsible for successful project delivery, client services engagements, and client satisfaction. Managed team of 40+ program managers, establishing and meeting revenue, utilization and quality targets, forecasting, resourcing, and overall delivery management.
- Improved on-budget delivery by 23% in one year across the Project Management team via rollout and training of standardized ways of working best practices.
Senior Manager – Project Management
WhitePages.com
2006.10 - 2010.01
- Led project management office and served as ScrumMaster for key product teams, overseeing development of 8-figure business search product that improved result relevance and drove increased usage and revenue.
- Transitioned software development process from waterfall to Scrum framework with seven Scrum teams, aligning execution with product roadmap and collaborating with Product & Engineering executive leadership.
- Established project management office from inception, facilitating Agile/Scrum pilot that achieved full adoption across teams.
Maternity Leave
2006.03 - 2006.09
Senior Manager – Program/Vendor Management
Travelport / Orbitz
2003.12 - 2006.02
- Program Manager on $6.5 million phased delivery release consisting of 15 interdependent projects.
- Developed and implemented Cendant-endorsed software development life cycle methodology across organization.
- Directed Orbitz-Travelport operational migration and $3.5 million platform integration projects, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
- Managed $6.5 million phased delivery release involving 15 interdependent projects, coordinating resources and timelines for successful execution.
Professional Services Program Manager
The Cobalt Group
1998.05 - 2003.12
- Managed $3.2 million digital marketing program for DaimlerChrysler, overseeing 30 concurrent projects to ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
- Directed activities of team members on large-scale projects, coaching and mentoring to enhance performance and support career development.
- Excelled at leading 18-member cross-functional project team maintaining an 85% utilization rate and quarterly revenue target. Increased team size by 75% in two years due to increased program volume.
- Recognized as a product subject matter expert and solutions consultant for Cobalt clients. Collaborated with clients to set program strategic direction and played a key role in maintaining client relationships and managing client expectations.
Marketing Program Manager
Spring USA Corporation
1994.06 - 1998.04
- Developed and launched corporate programs and product lines in collaboration with 25 regional representative groups.
- Implemented ACT contact database and defined lead management program methodology for 25 regional representative groups, resulting in an 82% annual sales increase.
- Engaged in-house leads, provided tailored quotes and product information, and created press releases, newsletters, and product line specifications.
Education
Bachelor of Arts -
Western Illinois University
1994-01
Skills
- Organizational Change Management and Transformation
- Project Management Professional Certification
- Certified Scrum Master in Agile Methodology
- Client Services and Consulting experience building partnerships
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Successful at leading teams of 30 people as well as individual contribution
- Tool agnostic, technical expertise can bridge multiple types of applications and organizations
- Excellent Oral and Written Communication skills to audiences at all levels
- Servant Leadership
Certification
Rational Unified Process Methodology Training: Rational Unified University, 2001, Project Management Professional Certification: Project Management Institute, 2002, IT Technology Certification in Program Mgmt: Project Management Leadership Group, 2004, ScrumMaster Certification: Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Master Program, 2007
Section name
References Available upon request.
Education & Training
- Take Back Your Life Training: McGhee Productivity Solutions, 2010
- Crucial Conversations Training: Vital Smarts, 2011
- Facet 5 Team Training: Facet 5, 2023
Timeline
Change Manager
WPP
2020.07 - Current
Regional Operations Director
Wunderman Thompson (a WPP Agency)
2010.01 - 2020.07
Senior Manager – Project Management
WhitePages.com
2006.10 - 2010.01
Maternity Leave
2006.03 - 2006.09
Senior Manager – Program/Vendor Management
Travelport / Orbitz
2003.12 - 2006.02
Professional Services Program Manager
The Cobalt Group
1998.05 - 2003.12
Marketing Program Manager
Spring USA Corporation
1994.06 - 1998.04
Bachelor of Arts -
Western Illinois University