Open To Work
Louisa S Nelson
Prosper
Summary
Over 17 years of progressive experience in IT, managing complex projects as Director of Program Management, Senior Integration Program Manager, Scrum Master, QA Manager, Project Manager/RTE, and Delivery Manager. Demonstrated expertise in developing implementation strategies from planning to execution on complex programs from $1M to $25M Proficient in managing, creating, budgeting, forecasting, tracking, risk management, program/project plans at the Program and Portfolio level Skilled in working with C-Level executives to translate business vision into concrete goals and executable plans, reporting on progress, risks, ROI, and CBA Developed and managed multidisciplinary, matrixed and distributed teams comprising of 5 - 150 team members (including external vendors) Proven track record in creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), sustainable business processes, and driving continuous improvement within Project Management Organization (PMO) and Quality Engineering (QE) organizations Successfully led AI projects within the IVR portfolio leveraging Machine Learning (ML) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) Proficient in planning and procuring IT infrastructure for Testing, Development Cloud, and Mobile teams Experienced in managing projects using Waterfall, Scrum, Kanban, and SAFe methodologies Certified SAFe Practice Consultant (SPC), licensed to lead and implement SAFe in organizations undergoing Agile Transformation Coached teams and programs in Agile methodologies, including Scrum, Kanban, and SAFe Proficient in CA Agile/Jira, drove Scrum and Kanban projects, and configured new Jira projects from inception Skilled in creating and implementing strategies for Integration between Applications, End to End (E2E) at the Enterprise level Successfully implemented and managed comprehensive risk management frameworks, including risk identification, assessment, mitigation, monitoring, and control Successful track record in managing Mergers and Acquisition (M&A) projects to ensure smooth transitions and integrations Extensive experience in managing technology projects including Application Development, Cloud Migration, Infrastructure, Mainframe, Java, Web Services and APIs, Data Migration, Data Analytics, Cyber Security, Azure DevOps, Big Data, Contact Center Technology, Interactive Voice Response(IVR), UX/UI and Artificial Intelligence(AI) Successfully led teams to achieve and surpass goals in Continuous Integration, and the implementation & automation of testing suites for Smoke, Regression, and Functional testing
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sr. Project Manager
Options Clearing Corporation (OCC)
Dallas
10.2025 - Current
- Managed the Quality Governance and Standards, the Reporting and Metrics and the Test Automation teams which head the Enterprise Quality Management(EQM) team.
- Established and managed a comprehensive project tracking system for the Quality Governance and Standards, Reporting and Metrics and the test automation Teams, integrating project plans, risk assessments, stakeholder engagement, and change management.
- Developed detailed project plans to proactively manage and track timelines and milestones, enabling timely adjustments.
- Led comprehensive risk frameworks and resolved critical roadblocks to ensure on-time delivery despite complex constraints.
- Architected a standardized intake process to align external work-streams with internal priorities, ensuring optimal resource management and cross-functional consistency.
- Overhauled Jira workflows and standardized user story documentation, increasing project visibility and streamlining daily operations for the team.
- Facilitated Jira training and ongoing support for team members, streamlining task management and improving collective productivity.
- Architected a comprehensive automation roadmap and strategy, standardizing team workflows to accelerate team-wide development and execution.
- Facilitated strategic automation workshops to evaluate and prioritize high-impact applications, establishing a strategic roadmap that aligned development efforts with organizational goals.
Sr. Delivery Manager
Bank of America
Dallas
03.2025 - 09.2025
- Led a portfolio of cross-functional projects within the Payments service provider area, from initiation to successful implementation, effectively managing multi-disciplinary teams and prioritizing project goals.
- Ensured on-time, on-budget, and high-quality project delivery through meticulous coordination, critical path management, and proactive issue resolution, while maintaining clear communication with stakeholders.
- Provided financial oversight through weekly reporting, forecasting, and risk analysis, effectively communicating financial status to senior leadership.
- Implemented and managed robust risk management frameworks, including risk identification, mitigation, and monitoring, and served as the primary point of contact for resolving project roadblocks.
- Managed project budgets, consistently identifying and resolving cost variances.
- Monitored project schedules, quickly addressing schedule variances to ensure on-time delivery of critical milestones.
- Performed thorough variance analysis to determine the causes of schedule delays, implementing revised project plans to recover lost time.
- Developed and implemented corrective action plans to address scope variances, ensuring alignment with project objectives.
Sr. Delivery Manager
Bank of America
Dallas
06.2023 - 12.2024
- Established and managed a comprehensive project tracking system for the Bank DCRS Ecosystem, integrating project plans, risk assessments, stakeholder engagement, and change management to ensure strategic oversight of multi-application development.
- Led a portfolio of cross-functional projects, including system migrations and upgrades, from initiation to successful implementation, effectively managing multi-disciplinary teams and prioritizing project goals.
- Developed detailed project plans to proactively manage and track timelines and milestones, enabling timely adjustments.
- Ensured on-time, on-budget, and high-quality project delivery through meticulous coordination, critical path management, and proactive issue resolution, while maintaining clear communication with stakeholders.
- Provided financial oversight through weekly reporting, forecasting, and risk analysis, effectively communicating financial status to senior leadership.
- Implemented and managed robust risk management frameworks, including risk identification, mitigation, and monitoring, and served as the primary point of contact for resolving project roadblocks.
- Directed and managed Data Analytics projects, leveraging a data lake and utilizing tools such as Hadoop, Python, and Tableau.
- Solely responsible for creating, planning, and implementing Strategies for Integration, End to End Testing between the internal and external teams.
- Managed the E2E integration of various applications involving Data Migration to SQL, Web Services and APIs.
- Utilized Planview to manage resource allocation across a portfolio of 5 projects utilization.
- Used Planview for accurate forecasting and budget tracking, resulting in projects staying within 5% of the allocated budget.
- Generated comprehensive project reports using Planview's reporting functionalities, providing stakeholders with real-time visibility into project progress and financial performance.
- Streamlined project workflows by configuring custom workflows within Planview, improving team efficiency.
- Trained and supported project team members in the effective use of Planview, improving overall project management efficiency.
- Managed project budgets, consistently identifying and resolving cost variances.
- Monitored project schedules, quickly addressing schedule variances to ensure on-time delivery of critical milestones.
- Performed thorough variance analysis to determine the causes of schedule delays, implementing revised project plans to recover lost time.
- Conducted root cause analysis of budget overruns, identifying and mitigating risks to prevent future cost variances.
- Developed and implemented corrective action plans to address scope variances, ensuring alignment with project objectives.
- Proactively managed resource allocation to mitigate potential schedule variances, keeping projects on track.
- Provided expert Agile coaching to teams and programs, implementing best practices in Scrum, Kanban, and SAFe methodologies.
- Supported multiple Agile teams, responsible for Scrum of Scrums, ceremonies, Facilitated Agile rituals like daily standups, release planning.
- Established and managed projects within Jira, ensuring organized and efficient project workflows.
- Developed and executed end-to-end testing strategies, including creating a reusable testing framework, and collaborated on user acceptance testing, ensuring seamless system integration.
- Managed vendor relationships and oversaw consultants involved in assigned projects.
- Effectively communicated project status and risks to executive leadership, managing stakeholder expectations.
- Successfully delivered multiple upgrade projects across the Bank DCRS Ecosystem, consistently delivering on time, scope, and budget.
- Document, Content & Record Services (DCRS) within Bank of America upgrades Applications of Software that have reached end of life or are non-compliant; as well as New Application Development projects.
Sr. Integration Program Manager
USAA Bank
Dallas
03.2022 - 05.2023
- Led application development efforts, managing end-to-end integration across diverse technologies, including Java, Big Data, Data Analytics, SQL data migration, PaaS systems, web services, and APIs.
- Developed detailed project plans to proactively manage and track timelines and milestones, enabling timely adjustments.
- Successfully implemented and managed comprehensive risk management frameworks, including risk identification, assessment, mitigation, monitoring, and control.
- Provided expert Agile coaching to teams and programs, implementing best practices in Scrum, Kanban, and SAFe methodologies.
- Facilitated Agile ceremonies, including daily stand-ups, release planning, and Scrum of Scrums (SoS), to support multiple Agile teams.
- Utilized JIRA for Agile project management and Git for source code control, builds, and deployments.
- Responsible for management of vendor relationships and responsible for management of consultants involved in assigned projects.
- Utilized Planview to manage resource allocation across a portfolio of 5 projects utilization.
- Used Planview for accurate forecasting and budget tracking, resulting in projects staying within 5% of the allocated budget.
- Generated comprehensive project reports using Planview's reporting functionalities, providing stakeholders with real-time visibility into project progress and financial performance.
- Streamlined project workflows by configuring custom workflows within Planview, improving team efficiency.
- Trained and supported project team members in the effective use of Planview, improving overall project management efficiency.
- Managed project budgets, consistently identifying and resolving cost variances.
- Monitored project schedules, quickly addressing schedule variances to ensure on-time delivery of critical milestones.
- Performed thorough variance analysis to determine the causes of schedule delays, implementing revised project plans to recover lost time.
- Conducted root cause analysis of budget overruns, identifying and mitigating risks to prevent future cost variances.
- Developed and implemented corrective action plans to address scope variances, ensuring alignment with project objectives.
- Proactively managed resource allocation to mitigate potential schedule variances, keeping projects on track.
- Developed an E2E integration strategy that covered applications using Waterfall, Kanban, Scrum, and SAFe.
- Defined and Managed the End to End System Integration Testing (E2E SIT) Strategy across the Bank CME IT Ecosystem comprised of multiple applications like Data Migration, Web Services, Cyber Security etc.
- Created a reusable Playbook for the E2E SIT framework at the program level to be executed by program team.
Director E2E Integration Program Management
United Health Group-United Healthcare, And Ingenix
Minneapolis
07.2015 - 03.2019
- Managed integration strategy for applications, overseeing end-to-end system integration testing with a program-level playbook.
- Oversaw end-to-end integration of applications involving big data, cloud technology, and web services.
- Led multiple teams on complex strategic programs within payment integrity, managing budgets from $1 million to $25 million.
- Directed implementation of various ecommerce projects, including new health plans and M&A initiatives.
- Spearheaded several IVR projects utilizing machine learning and natural language processing to enhance user experience.
- Drove Scrum and Kanban projects using CA Agile/JIRA, ensuring efficient project execution.
- Coached teams in SAFE as part of scaled agile transformation, fostering continuous improvement.
- Implemented comprehensive risk management frameworks, addressing risk identification and mitigation.
Delivery Lead/Sr. Program Manager/ Release Train E
United Health Group - Optum Insight
Minneapolis
02.2013 - 06.2015
- Created and managed multiple projects valued from $1 million to $5 million, delivering on schedule and budget within payment integrity portfolio.
- Initiated and drove scrum and kanban projects using CA Agile/Jira, overseeing full lifecycle project setup.
- Established and managed projects in Jira, ensuring organized and efficient workflows.
- Coached teams in agile methodologies through detailed presentations adopted as standards in payment integrity.
- Mentored scrum masters cross-functionally, facilitating problem-solving and navigation of scrum and project issues.
- Trained in leading SAFe as a member of scaled agile transformation leadership team.
- Served as mentor and subject matter expert on SAFe within payment integrity portfolio.
- Effectively communicated project status and risks to executive leadership while managing stakeholder expectations.
Sr. Quality Engineering Manager/Scrum Master
United Health Group - Optum Insight
Minneapolis
11.2011 - 01.2013
- Led two teams as senior quality program manager and scrum master within payment integrity portfolio.
- Revamped inefficient testing process, reducing cycle time from three months to three days.
- Redesigned manual and automated regression test suites, decreasing production defects from over sixty-five to under two.
- Managed projects utilizing both waterfall and scrum methodologies to enhance delivery efficiency.
- Communicated project status and risks to executive leadership, effectively managing stakeholder expectations.
- Created and implemented standard operating procedures for program management and quality engineering organizations.
- Evaluated sourcing for mobile application testing software, overseeing procurement process.
- Conducted web services testing involving SOAP requests in WSDL and REST API.
Sr Project Manager/QA Manager
Wells Fargo Wholesale
Minneapolis
09.2010 - 10.2011
- Successfully managed M&A project for Wachovia customers transitioning to Wells Fargo.
- Managed data migration from Wachovia's existing structures to Wells Fargo environment.
- Ensured timely resolution of data quality and mapping issues during migration.
- Communicated project status and risks to executive leadership, managing stakeholder expectations.
- Conducted root cause analysis and generated RCA documents for production and UAT defects.
- Created requirements traceability matrix to link test cases and defects.
- Prepared comprehensive training documentation for various products.
- Performed web services testing involving SOAP requests in WSDL and REST API.
Project Manager
Gomukh Systems Inc
Minneapolis
05.2007 - 08.2010
- Successfully managed projects valued between $1 million and $2 million, ensuring timely completion.
- Developed and maintained project plans, tracked budgets, scheduled resources, and identified risks.
- Established risk management processes to evaluate risk impacts of new solutions across projects.
- Coordinated sprint and release demos for stakeholders to showcase project progress.
- Set SMART goals for direct reports to enhance performance and accountability.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering Degree - Industrial Engineering and Management
01.1998
Skills
- Project and program management
- Portfolio management
- Strategic planning
- End-to-end integration management
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Risk management
- Mergers and acquisitions integration
- Data management
- Vendor management
- Resource management
- Team leadership
- Staff mentoring
- Training and development
- Infrastructure management
- Operations management
- Stakeholder management
- Software lifecycle management
- AI IVR project leadership with ML and NLP
- Quality assurance
- Test automation
- Agile transformation
- Agile coaching
- SAFe implementation and training
- SAFe product consulting
- Management tools expertise
- Database proficiency
- Programming languages knowledge
- Web technologies familiarity
- Testing tools experience
- Platforms expertise
Certification
- Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI
- SAFe Practice Consultant 6 (SPC 6), Scaled Agile Framework
- Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Scrum Alliance
- Six Sigma Green Belt Certification, UHG
- Certified Professional in Software Testing, STC Technologies
- Risk Based Testing, SQE Training
Personal Information
Work Permit: U.S Citizen
Work Preference
Job Search Status
Open to workLocation Preference
RemoteSalary Range
$145000/yr - $200000/yrTimeline
Sr. Project Manager
Options Clearing Corporation (OCC)
10.2025 - Current
Sr. Delivery Manager
Bank of America
03.2025 - 09.2025
Sr. Delivery Manager
Bank of America
06.2023 - 12.2024
Sr. Integration Program Manager
USAA Bank
03.2022 - 05.2023
Director E2E Integration Program Management
United Health Group-United Healthcare, And Ingenix
07.2015 - 03.2019
Delivery Lead/Sr. Program Manager/ Release Train E
United Health Group - Optum Insight
02.2013 - 06.2015
Sr. Quality Engineering Manager/Scrum Master
United Health Group - Optum Insight
11.2011 - 01.2013
Sr Project Manager/QA Manager
Wells Fargo Wholesale
09.2010 - 10.2011
Project Manager
Gomukh Systems Inc
05.2007 - 08.2010