Leah Finkelstein
Sherman Oaks,CA
Summary
Chief Operations Officer and Music Industry Expert with a successful history at Sound Manipulations, Inc., implementing a digital asset management system that increased productivity by over 50%. Skilled in project management and team leadership, with a focus on fostering strategic partnerships and enhancing operational efficiency.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Operations Officer
Sound Manipulations, Inc.
Los Angeles, CA
01.2022 - Current
- Developed and launched a proprietary digital asset management system that streamlined operations and increased team productivity by over 50%.
- Designed and continuously optimized production workflows to ensure consistent, on-time delivery of monthly releases to APM under contractual obligations.
- Lead and manage programming, data, and production teams to maintain seamless collaboration and high output standards.
- Partner directly with the CEO to define growth strategies, performance goals, and operational priorities.
- Audit and refine catalog infrastructure to enhance discoverability, internal efficiency, and marketing potential.
- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with executives at APM, distributors, PROs, and key industry partners to strengthen strategic alignment and long-term business growth.
- Sound Manipulations, Inc. (SMI) is a music label representing multiple catalogs and over 200 artists, with distribution through APM. SMI's placements include ABC, NBC, Netflix, HBO, and ESPN.
Music Supervisor
Caffeine Studios
Los Angeles, CA
01.2017 - 01.2022
- Partnered with the Head of Original Programming to design and execute all music department operations for flagship productions.
- Managed relationships with contracted sound libraries to source, license, and deliver music assets on schedule for multiple live programs.
- Composed, mixed, and mastered original tracks for live broadcasts, consistently meeting 24-hour turnaround deadlines in a fast-paced production environment.
- Caffeine Studios was a joint venture between Caffeine and FOX Sports, producing live-streamed content across video games, esports, sports, and entertainment.
Client Relations Executive
CalNet Technology Services
Los Angeles, CA
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Created and defined a new client relations role, designing the full CRM workflow to track performance metrics and measure financial impact.
- Partnered with executives of at-risk accounts to develop service strategies that strengthened retention and client satisfaction.
- Led weekly C-level meetings to present financial reports, identify operational gaps, and recommend process improvements to enhance customer relationships.
- Consistently exceeded retention goals, reducing client churn to under 8% and saving $426K in monthly recurring revenue.
- CalNet provided managed IT services and full IT outsourcing solutions, including end-user services, cloud, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and IT consulting.
Account Executive
Third Wave Technology Services, Inc.
Los Angeles, CA
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Promoted from Operations Manager in 2013.
- Primary role was to strengthen relationships with existing clients for the purpose of maintaining their loyal business and cultivate new opportunities.
- Proposed and managed several IT projects to ensure a smooth execution and communication between clients and all Third Wave departments.
- Still oversaw all operations and HR functions to ensure proper the facilitating of duties and processes.
- Third Wave was a boutique IT managed services company that provided remote and on-site desktop and networking support, network security, infrastructure consulting, and cloud services for small to medium-sized businesses.
Assistant Director
Warrior Theatre
Los Angeles, CA
01.2009 - 01.2015
- Worked alongside Executive Director and the Board of Directors to develop governing aspect of the organization.
- Designed and implemented daily, weekly, monthly duties for all staff.
- Executed administrative duties: creating intake forms, managing meeting minutes, scheduling, etc.
- Produced fundraising events that doubled as a way to raise awareness of the organization, which included managing performances, catering, and silent auctions.
- A non-profit organization serving as both a support center and support center for adults who were victims of childhood abuse.
Operations Manager
Third Wave Technology Services, Inc.
Los Angeles, CA
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Managed and performed all human resource functions, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.
- Headed product sales and drafted client proposals for product sales and also for technical projects.
- Created an accountability protocol to ensure that we were meeting contractual obligations to our clients.
- Third Wave was a boutique IT managed services company that provided remote and on-site desktop and networking support, network security, infrastructure consulting, and cloud services for small to medium-sized businesses.
Membership Communications Coordinator
Temple Beth Hillel
Los Angeles, CA
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Managed internal marketing for the congregation, led by a board of trustees, and two rabbis.
- Produced a 20-page newsletter to be distributed to membership and some affiliated non-members.
- Coordinated all submissions from each department and auxiliaries.
- Worked with outside vendors (print shops, graphic designers, website developers) to provide services for our needs, maintaining important relationships and often negotiating contracts for business.
- Led tours of the campus to prospective congregants, most often resulting in subsequent membership.
- Managed contributions and donations, working with the accountant to ensure that all donations were allocated to the proper funds.
- TBH is a Reform Jewish Synagogue that is also a school. Membership includes roughly 700 families.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Music, Psychology
Wheaton College
Norton, MAGraduate Program - Counseling
University of Southern Maine
Portland, MESkills
- Problem solving
- Project management
- Crisis management
- KPI-driven approach
- Workflow design
- Software development
- Technical expertise
- Written and oral communication
- Creative thinking
- Team leadership
- Enthusiasm and motivation
- Diplomatic skills
- Adaptability
- Perseverance
Accomplishments
Saved $426,000 in monthly recurring revenue by assessing and saving at-risk clients
Timeline
Chief Operations Officer
Sound Manipulations, Inc.
01.2022 - Current
Music Supervisor
Caffeine Studios
01.2017 - 01.2022
Client Relations Executive
CalNet Technology Services
01.2015 - 01.2017
Account Executive
Third Wave Technology Services, Inc.
01.2013 - 01.2015
Operations Manager
Third Wave Technology Services, Inc.
01.2012 - 01.2013
Membership Communications Coordinator
Temple Beth Hillel
01.2010 - 01.2012
Assistant Director
Warrior Theatre
01.2009 - 01.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Music, Psychology
Wheaton College
Graduate Program - Counseling
University of Southern Maine