Megan Burden-Cousins
Alma,Ar
Summary
Results-driven professional with expertise in leading cross-functional teams to optimize processes and improve employee training. Proven track record in managing large-scale projects, including system implementations and new center openings, resulting in significant enhancements in cost, quality, and performance. Adjunct faculty member with a focus on developing innovative curricula and fostering inclusive learning environments. Recognized for strong analytical abilities and effective strategy execution, driving continuous improvements across diverse settings.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Adjunct Professor
University of Arkansas- Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR
01.2025 - Current
- Develop and deliver lectures and classroom activities to ensure effective knowledge transfer and retention.
- Apply innovative teaching methodologies and learning technologies to create a transformative learning environment.
- Utilize learning management systems (LMS) to deliver hybrid courses.
- Develop and update course syllabi and materials.
- Evaluate student performance through comprehensive assessments and assignment grading.
- Facilitate engaging discussions, and foster a collaborative learning environment.
- Offer one-on-one academic support and office hours for students.
Operational Excellence Specialist
Grifols
01.2023 - Current
- Execute design and development of initiatives to optimize donor center operations.
- Engage stakeholders to enhance cost efficiency, quality, production, and service levels.
- Analyze labor, marketing, customer service, compliance, and training metrics for improvement.
- Support cross-functional teams in crafting procedures that align with business needs.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques such as OEE and Lean Principles.
- Deliver training on improved processes to donor center staff while tracking results.
- Facilitate collaborative efforts across departments to achieve operational excellence.
- Work closely with Center Managers to pinpoint areas for continuous improvement.
Project Specialist
Grifols
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Led projects across Southeast Business Unit to enhance donor technology systems and establish new centers in Chattanooga and Murfreesboro.
- Created and maintained project plans, identifying tasks, deadlines, and milestones.
- Evaluated project risks and developed mitigation strategies.
- Facilitated preparation of meeting agendas and documentation of minutes.
- Contributed to agenda development for internal and external project teams.
- Identified areas for improvement to enhance donor technology usage within the business unit.
- Supported 73 donor centers with processes aligned to business goals.
- Developed dashboards and reports to monitor key business unit metrics.
BECS Trainer
Grifols
01.2021 - 12.2021
- Conducted Train-the-Trainer programs tailored to specific needs of individual learners or groups.
- Directed training and development activities to align with organizational objectives.
- Assisted in donor center preparations for go-live phase.
- Provided tier-1 support during go-live and developed staff into subject matter experts.
- Identified and mitigated risks to ensure successful roll-out of BECs.
- Documented all training activities including attendance records, feedback forms, surveys.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and best practices.
Quality Associate
Grifols
01.2017 - 12.2021
- Implement tools to identify changing processes to prevent deviations.
- Complete donor record reviews to ensure the team has a good understanding of cGMP guidelines.
- Perform routine observations to guarantee that center staff understand GPO, SOP, FDA, EMA, and corporate compliance practices.
- Utilize root-cause analysis to eliminate errors.
- Analyze key processes and implementation.
- Review KPIs, and implement process improvement in critical areas.
- Initiate, oversee, and drive team-based problem-solving methods to resolve issues that negatively impact key performance indicators.
- Manage project risks, issues, and multiple implementation phases.
Donor Center Technician | Phlebotomist | Area Lead
Grifols
01.2015 - 12.2017
- Confirmed donor suitability by conducting pre-donation medical screenings, following established guidelines.
- Lead teams to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their positions.
- Promoted customer satisfaction through positive interactions and exceptional customer service.
- Created and executed a strategic plan to drive continuous improvement in key business processes, reduce costs, shorten lead times, and ensure the highest quality in products and processes.
Education
Doctor of Education - Leadership For Organizations
University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH01.2024
Master of Science - Operations Management
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR01.2021
Graduate Certificate - Project Management
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR01.2021
Bachelor of Science - Organizational Leadership
University of Arkansas- Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR01.2018
Skills
- Process improvement and optimization
- Project management
- Data analysis and evaluation
- Continuous improvement strategies
- Training and development
- Risk assessment and management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Knowledge sharing and transfer
Conference Presentations
- Overcoming Imposter Syndrome by Creating Intentionally Inclusive Cultures in Online Doctoral Classrooms, American Association of Adult and Continuing Education Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 2022
- Informing, Reforming, and Transforming: Intersectionality and Imposter Syndrome in Higher Education, American Association of Adult and Continuing Education Conference, Lexington, Kentucky, 2023
Publications
- Burden-Cousins, M. (2024). Bridging the Educational Gap for First-Generation Students: An Evaluation of a TRiO Upward Bound Program. University of Dayton.
- Rogers-Shaw, C., Brion, C., Czepiel, K., Jordan, C., & Burden-Cousins, M. (2022). Overcoming Imposter Syndrome by Creating Intentionally Inclusive Cultures in Online Doctoral Classrooms. American Association for Adult and Continuing Education.
- Rogers-Shaw, C., Brion, C., Jordan, C., & Burden-Cousins, M. (2024). Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Doctoral Classrooms. Journal of Thought, 58(3-4).
Timeline
Adjunct Professor
University of Arkansas- Fort Smith
01.2025 - Current
Operational Excellence Specialist
Grifols
01.2023 - Current
Project Specialist
Grifols
01.2021 - 01.2023
BECS Trainer
Grifols
01.2021 - 12.2021
Quality Associate
Grifols
01.2017 - 12.2021
Donor Center Technician | Phlebotomist | Area Lead
Grifols
01.2015 - 12.2017
Doctor of Education - Leadership For Organizations
University Of Dayton
Master of Science - Operations Management
University of Arkansas
Graduate Certificate - Project Management
University of Arkansas
Bachelor of Science - Organizational Leadership
University of Arkansas- Fort Smith
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