Desired Job Title
Program ManagerBusiness Operations ManagerWork Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
On-SiteRemoteHybridLocation: Tucson, AZ, US
Open to relocation: No
Open To Work
Melissa Padilla
Tucson,AZ
Work Preference
Summary
Operations program manager with a focus on people-first processes and efficient system development through measurement, data, and innovative tooling (AI). Proven ability to foster cross-departmental collaboration and build strong community and culture within organizations. Curious and solution-oriented mindset drives innovative approaches to operational challenges with fast action.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Business Operations Specialist, Office of the Chief Business Officer
Braze
Tucson, USA
02.2025 - Current
- Revamped and facilitated organization-wide leadership meeting to foster collaborative culture and develop our leadership, across 100 leaders, receiving 98% satisfaction on execution
- Led development of Change Management Enablement workstream for Asana to Jira Cloud Migration project, facilitating live enablement sessions and curating asynchronous resources for diverse audiences
- Developed and managed the communication workstream during the Asana to Jira Cloud migration, ensuring all stakeholders received timely updates.
- Partnered in research and discovery of 28 teams' workflows in Asana to create transformational migration strategy to Jira Cloud, leveraging deep understanding of organizational business needs
- Developed and facilitated organization-wide All Hands meetings, achieving sustained satisfaction scores above 80%
Academic Advisor
Southern New Hampshire University
Tucson, USA
09.2020 - Current
- Pioneered Mind Matters, a mental health community space in collaboration with Office of Diversity and Inclusion, to reduce stigma, increase awareness, and provide educational resources.
- Facilitated bi-weekly Wellness Meetings for advising team to discuss challenging topics and promote awareness of SNHU Employee Benefits and Wellness resources.
- Developed and executed Professional Development workshops for advising team to enhance core skills relevant to their roles.
Senior Business Operations Specialist, Growth
Braze
Tucson, USA
02.2024 - 02.2025
- Led Employee Engagement Survey Action Plan to achieve sustained growth in participation scores and enhance employee satisfaction with department leadership.
- Analyzed operational data to provide insights and recommendations for improving performance and decision-making.
- Streamlined vendor procurement and renewal process to manage budget effectively while addressing department needs through proactive measures and evaluation metrics.
- Developed and maintained standard operating procedures and policies to ensure consistency across the department (confluence, slack, email, escalations, etc)
- Development and facilitation of department-wide meetings to enhance cross-departmental collaboration, distribute critical information, and foster team culture
- Assisted chief of staff in executing strategic initiatives by preparing presentations, conducting research, and managing special projects.
- Support in development and execution of strategic leadership onsite, including presenting and facilitating operational updates and team-building activities
Business Operations Specialist, Growth
Braze
Tucson, USA
10.2022 - 02.2024
- Rebuilt OKR process and implemented change management to enable the department on a new sustainable and scalable process which has led to effective alignment on business goals and improved business outcomes
- Analyzed operational data to provide insights and recommendations for improving performance and decision-making for the chief of staff to aid in strategic planning
- Supported development and execution of strategic leadership onsite, presenting and facilitating operational updates and team-building activities to strengthen team alignment.
- Developed and facilitated department-wide meetings to enhance cross-departmental collaboration, distribute critical information, and cultivate team culture.
- Amplified critical messaging across department through diverse communication methods to ensure clarity and engagement.
- Built a departmental onboarding experience to improve employee experience and ensure critical company and department context and department culture was introduced and embedded as part of our employee experience
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Abroad International
Okayama
03.2019 - 03.2020
- Established a strong foundation as a host and point of contact for International Baccalaureate Organization IBO school visits and evaluations throughout the accreditation process. Exhibited insightful leadership and enhanced clarity of mission by maintaining direct communication with IBO representatives.
Selected Contributions:
Rebuilt and transformed school curricula and policies to align with IB Pre-Years Program (PYP) framework and requirements in close partnership with an international teaching staff of ~20 educators from Japan, Colombia, Turkey, and America.
Shaped a vibrant, productive environment, which enabled a reduction in altercations and disruptive classroom incidents.
Employed balanced, disciplined leadership while managing a team of approximately four support teachers within a Pre-K classroom with a focus on maintaining consistent documentation, curriculum implementation, and behavioral routines.
Enhanced opportunities for enduring student growth by preparing lessons focused on nurturing learner skills and designed to establish a foundation for student’s lifelong education.
Demonstrated innovation and capacity to excel through implementation of IB PYP curriculum; produced resources to create an empowering and inquiry-based classroom with a focus on enhancing students’ academic, social, and emotional growth.
Maximized productivity and provided vital structure by performing detailed documentation, measurement, reporting, and assessment of student growth for reflection and collaboration within the student learning community.
Kindergarten Teacher
LOTIS (International School)
Seoul
02.2017 - 02.2019
- Delivered transformative innovation through implementation of an accelerated curriculum for a pre-kinder classroom with a focus on meeting the needs of a diverse learning group. Ensured continuity across a matrix organization to monitor students as they progressed throughout their academic careers in close partnership with international teaching staff from Korea, Canada, South Africa, and America with over 22 classrooms and ~ 50 professional educators.
Selected Contributions:
Introduced Voice Thread into an afterschool program to increase homework completion rates and encourage English use at home.
Enhanced student engagement and participation through use of Class Dojo within the classroom; assisted supervisor in Class Dojo implementation throughout all after school classrooms.
Increased English comprehension and fluency through implementation and facilitation of group learning methodology.
Created meaningful portfolio cases for three students who required additional professional support due to possible ADHD, anger / impulse control, and child anxiety issues while respecting cultural diversity and norms.
Education
Master of Science - Education: Integrating Technology into Classrooms
Walden University
01-2019
Bachelor of Arts - Neuroscience
Boston University
Boston, MA01-2015
Skills
- Project management
- Change management
- Process optimization
- Effective communication
- Cross-departmental collaboration
- Data analysis
- Community & culture building
- Knowledge management
- Confident facilitator & presenter
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Japanese
Limited
Affiliations
Latinas in Tech - Panel Moderator (AZ 2026 Launchpad: Built to Rise)
Timeline
Senior Business Operations Specialist, Office of the Chief Business Officer
Braze
02.2025 - Current
Senior Business Operations Specialist, Growth
Braze
02.2024 - 02.2025
Business Operations Specialist, Growth
Braze
10.2022 - 02.2024
Academic Advisor
Southern New Hampshire University
09.2020 - Current
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Abroad International
03.2019 - 03.2020
Kindergarten Teacher
LOTIS (International School)
02.2017 - 02.2019
Master of Science - Education: Integrating Technology into Classrooms
Walden University
Bachelor of Arts - Neuroscience
Boston University