POONAM KHIYARA
Pleasanton,USA
Summary
Senior operations leader with 10+ years of experience driving execution, building systems, and supporting cross-functional leadership in complex environments. Notable achievement: implemented system improvements that reduced reporting errors by 40% and improved operational efficiency by 35%. Background spans staff and program development, community partnerships, business development, and strategic change management. Known for implementing best practices to drive innovation, build cohesive teams, and foster a culture of communication, collaboration, and coaching. Adept at addressing business challenges with both analytical reasoning and creative problem solving. Balances big-picture vision with meticulous attention to detail, and is committed to building inclusive, responsive systems that address diverse stakeholder and community needs.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Programs
Meals on Wheels Diablo Region
Walnut Creek, CA
03.2023 - 07.2025
- Reporting to Executive Director, Director of Programs serves as member of the Executive Leadership Team
- Supported leadership and board-level activities through documentation, reporting, and compliance tracking, ensuring accuracy and adherence to regulatory and organizational requirements.
- Oversaw operational performance, budget alignment, and resource allocation across multiple program units to ensure efficiency and service delivery targets were met.
- Scaled program operations from 950 to 2,100 weekly clients while expanding service offerings and maintaining compliance and operational efficiency
- Ensuring organizational effectiveness by providing leadership for the organization’s programmatic functions
- Responsible for overseeing Nutrition Services, Health and Wellness, Fall Prevention, Case Management, and Outreach departments.
- Managed multi-department operations and budgets while leading a team of program managers and ensuring alignment with organizational performance targets.
- Led cross-functional partnerships with external agencies and vendors, ensuring contract compliance, service-level performance, and measurable impact.
- Support management reporting, information flow, business process, and organizational planning.
- Manage and increase effectiveness and efficiency of Program Team through improvements to each department as well as coordination and communication among departments.
- Led cross-department implementation of an enterprise case management platform (Caseworthy), unifying operational workflows across multiple program units and improving reporting accuracy and system efficiency.
Division Manager, Nutrition Department
Meals on Wheels Diablo Region
12.2021 - 02.2023
- Responsible for successful reporting and budget administration, contributing to the vision and strategic planning and for anticipating current and future needs within the division
- Led the team by fostering an environment of learning and achievement
- Develop process road map for team improvement and expansion of opportunities with cross training
- Establishing key objectives and metrics for Program Supervisors to enable peak performance
- Continuous process assessment to ensure program compliance
- Manage the largest department in the organization (team of 32 personnel inclusive of Program Supervisors, Administrative staff, Café staff and Delivery Associates)
- Oversee training of volunteers to deliver meals and to staff the Café’s
- Build team specific objectives and goals that correlate to the program compliance
- Determine department planning and budget needs
- Coach and develop career pathing and growth opportunities for team members.
Assistant Division Manager
Meals on Wheels Diablo Region
Walnut Creek
07.2020 - 12.2021
- Boosted team productivity by implementing efficient division workflows and processes.
- Evaluated employee performance regularly, offering constructive feedback for continuous improvement and professional growth.
- Implemented cost-saving measures, reducing operational expenses without compromising service quality.
- Contributed substantially to overall company goals by consistently achieving or surpassing division targets.
- Mentored junior staff members to enhance their skills and contribute more effectively to the team’s success.
- Championed innovative ideas within the division, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and creative problem solving.
- Managed budgets effectively, allocating resources responsibly to meet organizational targets while minimizing costs.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by addressing concerns promptly and providing appropriate solutions.
- Exercised independent judgment in onboarding, training and motivating division staff to maximize performance.
- Streamlined operations for enhanced performance through regular process evaluations and improvements.
- Negotiated contracts successfully with suppliers and vendors, securing favorable terms that benefited the organization financially and operationally.
Program Coordinator
Meals on Wheels
09.2014 - 05.2016
- Responsible for the coordination of the Meals on Wheels program for the Tri-Valley which included client intake, needs assessment and counseling for eligible clients; coordination and distribution of meals to client homes
- Performed similar responsibilities as above, serving the Pleasanton area.
Interactive Media Manager
UBM
04.2012 - 11.2012
- Collaborated with international marketing teams, enhancing brand engagement and stakeholder relationships across regions.
- Responsible for accelerating brand revenue and profitability, managed branded products including websites, newsletters, webcasts and related custom programs
- Dedicated product lead and go-to expert on website, newsletters, and custom programs
- Worked with sales teams to generate revenue, demo new ideas, and socialize offerings
- Work with sales, content, marketing, and delivery teams as liaison to coordinate updates, site enhancements (including feature additions), execute on new, revenue and content-generating programs
- Advised the group on improvement strategies, results, competition, and new technologies available to assist with maintaining an innovative website
- Focused on branded product management, program development and custom programs, pre and post sales accountability that support internal (sales, editorial, finance) and external (advertisers, marketers) customers
- Liaised with content, technical, service, marketing, finance, and delivery teams, including freelancers and external providers on projects, requirements, deliverables, site issues, and general queries
- Established guidelines and policies consistent with groups across all brands
- Analytical: guided reporting, process standards, best practices, profitability.
Managing Director
Consulting for Media Agencies
05.2004 - 01.2007
- Worked with multiple agencies on various projects from elevating brand, developing, and delivering innovative proposals for driving revenue, responsible for all aspects of campaigns for Display, Online and Direct marketing.
Display Advertising Account Executive
PRUDENTIAL
04.2002 - 05.2004
Media Planner
CREATIVE MEDIA
01.2002 - 03.2002
Assistant Media Planner
WUNDERMAN
08.2000 - 08.2001
Education
B.S. - Marketing
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA05-2000
Skills
- Strategic Planning & Program Development
- Grant Acquisition, Management & Compliance Oversight
- Operational & Budget Oversight
- Cross-Functional Leadership & Department Oversight
- Team Building, Supervision & Staff Development
- Board & Stakeholder Relations
- Policy & Procedure Development & Implementation
- Business & Partnership Development
- Analytical Thinking & Data-Driven Decision Making
- Problem Solving & Issue Resolution
- Operational Excellence & Process Optimization
Certification
- Leadership of Contra Costa (2024)
- Member, W.C. Chamber of Commerce
- Board Member, Caregiver One Call (Present)
- Media Mania Training Program 01/2001
Timeline
Director of Programs
Meals on Wheels Diablo Region
03.2023 - 07.2025
Division Manager, Nutrition Department
Meals on Wheels Diablo Region
12.2021 - 02.2023
Assistant Division Manager
Meals on Wheels Diablo Region
07.2020 - 12.2021
Program Coordinator
Meals on Wheels
09.2014 - 05.2016
Interactive Media Manager
UBM
04.2012 - 11.2012
Managing Director
Consulting for Media Agencies
05.2004 - 01.2007
Display Advertising Account Executive
PRUDENTIAL
04.2002 - 05.2004
Media Planner
CREATIVE MEDIA
01.2002 - 03.2002
Assistant Media Planner
WUNDERMAN
08.2000 - 08.2001
B.S. - Marketing
San Francisco State University