- Leadership & Operational Excellence: Directed North Austin Community Outreach’s $40 million construction and community engagement project; awarded top performance ratings for community-driven projects
- Recognition in Crisis Management: Led a cross-agency effort to restore Hawaii’s infrastructure post-2018 Mt Kilauea eruption, collaborating with federal and local agencies, earning multiple commendations
- Legislative Impact: Co-authored the HR 5671 Burn Pits Accountability Act, addressing service member health issues, demonstrating influence in public policy
- Military Commendations: Received the Navy Medal of Commendation, Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medals (x2), and Letters of Commendation (x4) for excellence in operations, strategic planning, and supply chain management
Ryan Santos-Leslie
Palos Park,IL
Summary
Dynamic, mission-focused executive with over 16 years in strategic planning, financial oversight, and operational management. Expertise in fostering resilience, mobilizing diverse teams, and leading high-impact initiatives. Recognized for building trust with stakeholders, achieving measurable results, and driving organizational mission as a primary spokesperson. Seeking to leverage expertise to contribute to the success of a forward-thinking organization.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Operating Officer
North Austin Community Outreach
08.2022 - Current
- Serve as the sole executive responsible for all strategic and operational functions of North Austin Community Outreach (NACO) and North Austin Community Center (NACC).
- Developed and implemented an annual operating budget, establishing both short- and long-term objectives to drive sustainable community impact.
- Develop resource management plan in support of construction projects, environmental remediation, and other capital projects.
- Direct multiple programs supporting community resilience, including disaster response, educational initiatives, and public health programming, utilizing effective resource management to maximize reach and impact.
- Conduct monthly, quarterly, and annual financial analyses; oversee $100 million in assets, ensuring fiscal responsibility, compliance, and accountability.
- Communicate regularly with the Board of Directors, presenting financial updates, strategic recommendations, and program developments to align organizational goals.
- Act as the organization’s spokesperson, building strong relationships with stakeholders, public officials, and community partners to support organizational objectives.
- Supervise 60+ employees, fostering a high-performance culture with a strong focus on inclusivity, collaboration, and community-driven results.
- Led recruitment and development of strategic alliances to maximize utilization of existing talent and capabilities.
- Maintained P&L and shouldered corporate fiscal responsibility.
Operations Officer/ Supply Chain Officer
United States Marine Corps
06.2003 - 10.2022
- Led a team of senior staff and coordinated interagency projects for the U.S.-Japan Defense Policy Review Initiative (DPRI), managing a $13.7 billion budget and the relocation of 9,000 personnel.
- Managed comprehensive budget analysis and financial forecasting in collaboration with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), influencing Department of Defense decisions on multi-billion-dollar expenditures.
- Acted as spokesperson for the DPRI, leading international engagements with foreign governments and advocacy groups to advance the U.S. mission abroad.
- Authored strategic communication playbooks, guiding senior leaders in public relations strategies.
- Served as Department of Defense Fellow to the U.S. House of Representatives, providing expert consultation on foreign affairs, financial policy, and annual appropriations, and contributing to significant legislative acts.
- Managed a $780M property account, consistently achieving inspection scores averaging 98%.
- Developed and executed a $12M annual budget with comprehensive financial analyses to enhance organizational standing.
- Created Excel-based financial management tools to support ERP systems, streamlining financial tracking and reporting.
- Led compliance initiatives, improving procurement, record retention, and contracting, with a division-leading inspection score of 99%.
- Spearheaded a compliance campaign that improved warehouse inspection scores from 38% to 94%, fostering a collaborative culture for 60 Marines and 7 managers.
Education
Ph.D. - Management and Entrepreneurship
Marshall University
Huntington, WV06.2027
MBA - Business Administration
University of Wisconsin Parkside
Kenosha, WI09-2024
Masters of the Arts - Public Policy and Administration
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL09-2019
Bachelors of the Arts - English Intensive Writing
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI05-2013
Key Skills
- Fundraising & Resource Development: Demonstrated success in achieving multimillion-dollar fundraising goals.
- Public Relations & Community Engagement: Skilled at effective, empathetic communication across diverse groups.
- Financial Oversight: Extensive experience in budget analysis, asset management, and compliance.
- Team Leadership & Development: Proven ability to inspire, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.
- Crisis & Operational Management: Effective crisis manager with experience in resource allocation and project execution.
- Strategic Planning: Adept in devising long-term strategies that align organizational objectives with actionable goals.
- Process Improvement: experienced at identifying operational inefficiencies and executing process improvements to enhance productivity and quality outcomes.
- Organizational Development: Committed to fostering an inclusive, growth-oriented culture that promotes professional development and strengthens overall team performance.
Interests
Timeline
Chief Operating Officer
North Austin Community Outreach
08.2022 - Current
Operations Officer/ Supply Chain Officer
United States Marine Corps
06.2003 - 10.2022
Ph.D. - Management and Entrepreneurship
Marshall University
MBA - Business Administration
University of Wisconsin Parkside
Masters of the Arts - Public Policy and Administration
Northwestern University
Bachelors of the Arts - English Intensive Writing
Marquette University
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