MICHELE PLETCHER
Summary
Dynamic finance and project leader with a proven track record, excelling in financial analysis, project management and business analysis. Adept at leveraging data to optimize processes and drive strategic financial decisions to achieve organizational goals.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Consultant
Korn Ferry
2023 - Current
- Project manager for the implementation of Oracle Payroll, Time, Absence, and Benefits solutions, consolidating from three systems to one system.
- Identified project risks and devised strategies for effective mitigation.
- Managed vendor contracts by defining deliverables, reviewing contracts, and assigning tasks.
- Implemented change management processes to adapt project scope and costs efficiently.
- Planned and executed workshops for requirements gathering, system integration testing, and user acceptance testing.
- Developed, documented, and trained the payroll accounting team on payroll costing governance and payroll reconciliation processes.
VP of Business Operations
Center for Economic Inclusion
St. Paul
2022 - 2022
- Streamlined operations by identifying issues and implementing effective solutions.
- Oversaw financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
- Developed cash forecast process to optimize working capital.
- Managed vendor relationships to enhance operational services.
- Developed financial model to price bids on new consulting projects for clients.
VP of Finance & Operations
Northside Achievement Zone
Minneapolis
2020 - 2022
- Prepared organizational budget anchored by the strategic plan, annual goal planning, and historical spending patterns. Engaged leaders in the budgeting process, supporting financial knowledge and ownership of department budgets.
- Managed preparation of financial statements, budgets, forecasts, and various reports.
- Ensured compliance with federal and state regulations for finance operations.
- Developed lease v. buy financial model for new office space and feasibility of leveraging new market tax credits.
Data Innovation Director
Northside Achievement Zone
Minneapolis
2017 - 2020
- Collaborated with program directors to establish key performance indicators for data-informed decision-making.
- Cultivated partnerships with local organizations for effective data sharing and measuring outcomes.
- Directed staff development initiatives to enhance team capabilities and promote professional growth.
- Optimized systems for tracking progress on key initiatives and projects.
- Promoted a data-driven culture to support improved client outcomes.
Global Sourcing Operations Lead
Cargill
Wayzata
2011 - 2017
- Led and mentored team of global business analysts, ensuring compliance with service levels and local requirements.
- Managed cloud-based technology solutions, adapting solution for evolving business needs and leading global super user network to drive adoption.
- Spearheaded remediation initiatives to enhance data quality in business intelligence through root cause analysis and sustained processes.
- Conducted RFP process, negotiated, and implemented $3 million contract for global sourcing and contract life cycle management solution.
- Facilitated development of global strategic sourcing policy, driving adoption of preferred suppliers.
Project Lead for Business Intelligence Project
Cargill
Wayzata
2008 - 2011
- Created and executed stakeholder analysis, change impact assessment, change plan, and communication schedule for a $10 million project to implement a global business intelligence solution for 200+ users, driving sourcing and procurement savings through spend visibility.
- Organized and facilitated global workshops with 50+ attendees to capture project business requirements, educate team members on new programs and processes, and garner advocates for change.
Financial Risk Manager
Cargill
Wayzata
2006 - 2008
- Monitored commodity risk policy, ensuring clear articulation of controls.
- Evaluated new trading products, strategies, and variance requests to risk limits.
- Collaborated with control functions to secure data availability and integrity.
- Ensured adherence to commodity risk policy through rigorous monitoring and evaluation.
Financial Risk Manager
NRG Energy
Minneapolis
2001 - 2006
- Managed team of risk analysts for daily risk monitoring during corporate bankruptcy and restructuring.
- Designed data structure for ETRM system, integrating trading, accounting, settlement, and risk needs.
- Secured creditor committee approval for $500 million cash reserve supporting trading operations.
- Negotiated contract termination values with counterparties post-bankruptcy.
Risk Consultant
Xcel Energy
Minneapolis
1999 - 2001
Finance Manager
American Medical Response
Denver
01.1997 - 01.1999
Sr. Financial Analyst
Northern States Power Company
Minneapolis
01.1991 - 01.1996
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Finance
U of MN Twin Cities
Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) - Finance
U of MN Twin Cities
Skills
- Financial analysis and budgeting
- Project and change management
- Stakeholder engagement strategies
- Business process modeling
- Data analysis techniques
Training
- Lean Six Sigma
- Project Management
- Results Based Facilitation (RBF)
- Change Management
Volunteer Experience
- Church Council President, Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth
- Chair, Finance Asset/Liability Management Committee, SourceOne Federal Credit Union (now Firefly)
- Community Board Member, Northwest YMCA New Hope
Timeline
Finance Manager
American Medical Response
01.1997 - 01.1999
Sr. Financial Analyst
Northern States Power Company
01.1991 - 01.1996
Consultant
Korn Ferry
2023 - Current
VP of Business Operations
Center for Economic Inclusion
2022 - 2022
VP of Finance & Operations
Northside Achievement Zone
2020 - 2022
Data Innovation Director
Northside Achievement Zone
2017 - 2020
Global Sourcing Operations Lead
Cargill
2011 - 2017
Project Lead for Business Intelligence Project
Cargill
2008 - 2011
Financial Risk Manager
Cargill
2006 - 2008
Financial Risk Manager
NRG Energy
2001 - 2006
Risk Consultant
Xcel Energy
1999 - 2001
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Finance
U of MN Twin Cities
Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) - Finance
U of MN Twin Cities