MARSHA A. GRODNICKI
Richmond,VA
Summary
Transformational leader with 30 years of experience driving culture change and technology adoption. Expertise in developing knowledge management and adaptive management techniques for federal agencies to enhance performance. Skilled in identifying challenges and innovating solutions, leveraging AI for process improvement and knowledge management. Committed to building capabilities that deliver effective products and services.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Growth Officer
Q2 Impact
07.2022 - Current
- Serve a key member of the executive team and provide strategic guidance to the CEO/Founder on future growth opportunities.
- Drove market growth after the dissolution of USAID and achieved greater growth than our target by more than 10 percent in 2025.
- Established strategy and company-level budget, processes, and policies aligned with growth opportunities.
- Led the shift from international development to security cooperation and security assistance industries through opportunity identification.
- Prepared teams and individuals to contribute to growth by equipping them to increase contract value and identify new opportunities.
- Led the organization through an existential industry crisis, maintained focus and stamina to rebuild a high-performing team where each team member understands their role and responsibilities, is motivated to achieve personal targets, and dedicated to rebuilding the organization.
- Successfully led the reorganization of the company after industry collapse to build a stronger and more agile team.
- Drafted the organization’s annual growth strategy, developed corporate level KPIs and milestones and establish cadence of reviews to adapt to changes in the industry.
- Identified and cultivated new markets, developing an AI-supported adaptive management tool for Counter UAS training.
Managing Director of National Security, Emerging Markets, and AI
Q2 Impact
10.2022 - 02.2025
- Successfully led the growth of a new market from >$170,000 to $5,000,000 in less than two years through new acquisitions and on-contract growth.
- Lead a team of Technical Directors and the Capture Team in identifying and delivering new opportunities to achieve business growth for the company, including winning 4 out of 5 functional areas on a US Department of State (DOS) IDIQ award worth $150 million and a USAID award worth $25 million in 2023.
- Lead technical writer on the successful acquisition of a $25 million USAID cooperative agreement in Jordan.
- Provided all technical writing on 3 of the 4 the winning functional areas of the Performance Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Services (PMELS) IDIQ at DOS.
- Developed and led growth strategies while establishing and maintaining partner relationships to support capture opportunities, conducting capture and providing solutioning and teaming arrangements.
- Created start-up and transition plans for proposed solutions to government solicitations involving overseas operations and domestic programs.
- Oversaw establishment of AI Center of Excellence, developing LLM and RAG solution, and launching new business unit focused on digital transformation and knowledge management.
- Developed AI-enhanced gamification tool promoting skill building, strategy development, and interagency coordination; tool is patent-pending.
- Work across organizational lines to develop standard operating procedures that support quick and streamlined turnaround times for proposals, resulting in an increase in Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Proposal (RFP) submissions.
- Oversee the proposal management process from inception to contract award for large and complex awards, including those that require significant logistics management.
- Oversee the development and finalization of all teaming agreements and workspace discussions to maximize P-win and revenue.
- Position the company for successful capture of Department of Defense and DOS opportunities by identifying the correct teaming and consortium arrangements and the correct staff are allocated to the team.
- Developed and oversaw the business development pipeline to include new clients, identify appropriate POCs, and developed relationships resulting in the development of both a new capability and a new client.
- Recruit and manage staff to perform unique and functions within the company including Technical Managers, Directors, and Subject Matter Expert, short-term staff for participating in proposal processes.
Independent Consultant
Q2 Impact
07.2022 - 10.2022
- Guided proposal team in refining and drafting technical sections to ensure alignment with Request for Proposal (RFP) and understanding of Department of State culture and needs from 18 FAM 300 and Managing for Results Framework.
- Developed strategic approach for growth into new industries and expanded company footprint with current clients.
Senior Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor, Multiple Government Agencies
Alutiiq Information Management, LLC
02.2018 - 07.2022
- Developed and led strategy for large, multi-agency evaluation, establishing team configuration and workflow, ensuring evaluation met rigorous standards and deliverables.
- Designed and executed evaluation of HSPD-6 Program, assessing partner nations and identifying improvements for complex programming.
- Orchestrated data collection and analysis, drafting evaluation for submission to National Intelligence Council.
Senior Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor, US Department of State
Alutiiq Information Management, LLC
05.2020 - 01.2022
- Designed a solution for the Department of State Global Engagement Center to utilize evidence-based programming by developing a scope of work (SOW), providing pricing and level of effort (LOE) for multiple labor categories, recruiting, onboarding, and training staff.
- Managed a team of diverse and dynamic staff that implemented bureau-wide system for supporting the strategic planning through assessment, monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
- Successful in changing an organization’s culture about evidence-based decision making by coaching and mentoring client teams and providing guidance on processes and procedures and demonstrating successful implementation.
- Orchestrated communication and cooperation among cross-bureau project teams and facilitated escalation processes, removing silos and ensuring long-term system adoption.
- Established team qualifications and mentored members, enhancing technical skills, professional conduct, and quality of deliverables.
- Engaged clients to define roles, responsibilities, deliverables, and resource requirements, leading to increased task order requirements and revenue.
Program Manager
Alutiiq Information Management, LLC
02.2019 - 12.2019
- Kickstart and managed a Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Services IDIQ worth $200 million at the Department of State.
- Engaged clients to identify strategic priorities and developed a program aligning $200 million of USG programming with cross-department and cross-government strategies.
- Successful in achieving over $30 million in task orders received in the base year through communication and advising the Office of Acquisitions Management (AQM).
- Oversaw a team of over 30 staff across four regional and functional bureaus, including operations outside the continental United States.
- Wrote proposals, conducted pricing activities for individual task orders, and provided funding guidance to clients to ensure that their needs were met within their available budget.
- Managed procurement process for subcontract in Afghanistan and selected optimal candidate.
- Recruited, interviewed, and onboarded all employees by using my professional network of technical practitioners.
- Created Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for onboarding new staff and training Human Resources team members.
Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist
Pillar Systems Corporation
10.2017 - 02.2018
- Managed the monitoring and evaluation activities of implementing partners and Program Officers in the DOS Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs’ Assistance Coordination Office (NEA/AC) NERD program.
- Led team of third-party evaluators in conducting mid-term evaluations of foreign assistance programs, reviewed all reports prior to client submission, and provided ongoing support to evaluation team.
- Developed protocols and best practices for implementation of monitoring and evaluation of foreign assistance awards.
- Developed indicators and theories of change, and edited scopes of work and results monitoring plans to enhance program effectiveness.
- Drafted SOWs for third-party evaluations of Foreign Assistance programs.
- Reviewed and revised award recipient risk assessments to strengthen preparation and application of risk assessment and monitoring plans.
- Managed large data from 45 ongoing projects and conducted data collection, data analysis, and knowledge management.
Deputy Chief of Party
DevTech Systems, Inc., U.S. and Afghanistan
06.2014 - 09.2017
- Delivered high-quality engagements in large-scale project environments and single-staffed engagements by managing staff and sub-contractor activities during development of performance monitoring and evaluation system for DOS, while also overseeing program-level evaluation activities.
- Coordinated recruitment, onboarding, training, and deployment of data collectors throughout Afghanistan by managing sub-contractor staff activities.
- Developed selection criteria for programs and projects to ensure that they made a clear contribution to national security interests or strategic objectives; consisted of established meaningful, measurable metrics to determine outcomes and impacts; were sustainable.
- Mentored and coached DOS client teams to enhance programming design and knowledge management practices.
Consultant, Performance Management and Evaluation
DevTech Systems, Inc., U.S. and Afghanistan
06.2015 - 01.2017
- Developed a Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for a government customer, focusing on strategic priorities and performance metrics.
- Shared best practices with client team to enhance work quality for strategic planning and performance management.
- Facilitated training and provided mentorship to client team during implementation of new technical process.
Consultant, Security Assistance Evaluation
DevTech Systems, Inc., U.S. and Afghanistan
06.2014 - 12.2015
- Developed survey instruments and interview guides, conducting interviews to address US State objectives and answer team research questions.
- Produced white papers to guide government client in establishing priorities and objectives for the evaluation.
- Conducted outreach to US government organizations and agencies to solicit their participation in the evaluation.
- Provided technical assistance during the planning, development, and implementation of an evaluation of a large DOS program.
Social Scientist / Military Advisor
Department of the Army, Afghanistan & NORTHCOM
08.2010 - 04.2014
- Spearheaded an effort to improve the US Army’s Advisory Program in Eastern Afghanistan by building client relationships to define strategic objectives and implement research solutions to inform the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP) resulting in improved engagement with local Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and more effective advising.
- Delivered high-quality engagements to multiple client teams by designing and facilitating knowledge transfer and sharing best practices among senior social scientists, producing deliverables that informed the MDMP, and providing subject matter expertise on the local environment, resulting in enhanced exchanges and relationships with Afghan counterparts.
- Managed a technical team and provided direction and quality control on the team’s processes for developing research methodologies, data collection protocols, data analysis, and deliverables.
Human Terrain Analyst / Military Advisor
Department of the Army, Afghanistan & NORTHCOM
08.2010 - 09.2011
- Led selection of research methodologies and data collection methods for field research, enhancing data reliability and relevance.
- Cultivated relationships with client teams across leadership levels to identify Priority Information Requirements (PIRS) and implement solutions that shaped MDMP outcomes.
- Designed and produced comprehensive reports for French and US military clients, ensuring clarity and actionable insights.
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
Checchi and Company Consulting, Inc., Afghanistan
02.2010 - 08.2010
- Delivered subject matter expertise to USAID/Afghanistan Services Under Program and Project Offices for Results Tracking (SUPPORT), enhancing performance management and fostering cross-area team collaboration.
- Mentored team members and developed training to strengthen skills in performance monitoring activities, promoting knowledge transfer and capability building.
- Oversaw knowledge management using tools and platforms to analyze data and create program and project dashboards, facilitating informed decision-making.
Rural Aquaculture Extension Agent, Government Liaison
Peace Corps, Zambia
05.2006 - 04.2008
- Created Rural Aquaculture Program Business and Marketing Manual to empower small businesses and promote entrepreneurialism for poverty reduction.
- Advocated for women’s collectives and local farmers at provincial government level to enhance support and resources for rural communities.
- Established performance objectives and metrics for cooperative of female entrepreneurs in rural village, mentoring team to strengthen business development and management skills.
Education
Master of Social Work -
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California12.2016
Master of Public Administration - Economic Policy Management
Columbia University
New York City, New York10.2009
Bachelor of Business Administration - International Business
Hofstra University
Hempstead, New York08.2004
Skills
- Agile Leadership
- Business Strategy Development
- Problem-Solving and Team Building
- AI Tools and Techniques
- Government Relations
- Evaluation and Learning
- Entrepreneurial Leadership
Clearance
ACTIVE TOP SECRET CLEARANCE
Timeline
Managing Director of National Security, Emerging Markets, and AI
Q2 Impact
10.2022 - 02.2025
Chief Growth Officer
Q2 Impact
07.2022 - Current
Independent Consultant
Q2 Impact
07.2022 - 10.2022
Senior Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor, US Department of State
Alutiiq Information Management, LLC
05.2020 - 01.2022
Program Manager
Alutiiq Information Management, LLC
02.2019 - 12.2019
Senior Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor, Multiple Government Agencies
Alutiiq Information Management, LLC
02.2018 - 07.2022
Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist
Pillar Systems Corporation
10.2017 - 02.2018
Consultant, Performance Management and Evaluation
DevTech Systems, Inc., U.S. and Afghanistan
06.2015 - 01.2017
Deputy Chief of Party
DevTech Systems, Inc., U.S. and Afghanistan
06.2014 - 09.2017
Consultant, Security Assistance Evaluation
DevTech Systems, Inc., U.S. and Afghanistan
06.2014 - 12.2015
Social Scientist / Military Advisor
Department of the Army, Afghanistan & NORTHCOM
08.2010 - 04.2014
Human Terrain Analyst / Military Advisor
Department of the Army, Afghanistan & NORTHCOM
08.2010 - 09.2011
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
Checchi and Company Consulting, Inc., Afghanistan
02.2010 - 08.2010
Rural Aquaculture Extension Agent, Government Liaison
Peace Corps, Zambia
05.2006 - 04.2008
Master of Social Work -
University of Southern California
Master of Public Administration - Economic Policy Management
Columbia University
Bachelor of Business Administration - International Business
Hofstra University