Rachel Hiemstra
Englewood,CO
Summary
Cross-functional operations change agent with 13+ years experience cultivating exceptional technology teams and launching transformational products in the Education and Ecommerce sectors.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Strategic Initiatives, Product & Engineering
THE PRO'S CLOSET
05.2023 - Current
- Lead roadmap development and execution of software engineering and product teams for $60M re-commerce business
- Managed long-term implementations including Warehouse Management System, and Customer Data Platform and Relationship Management tools
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
- Oversaw company-wide initiatives to modernize procedures and organization
- Created succession plans to provide continuity of operations during leadership transitions.
Product Principal, Operations
THE PRO'S CLOSET
10.2022 - 04.2023
- Increased operations throughput 5X in 6 months by overhauling homegrown software tools used by 75+ skilled technicians
- Managed long-term implementations including Warehouse Management System, and Customer Data Platform and Relationship Management tools
- Scaled technology department from 4 to 18 FTES in 6 months, including defining and executing hiring and onboarding processes
- Tapped by the Executive Leadership team to lead cross-functional strategic planning cycles to establish company goals, structure, and accountability.
- Thrived in fast-paced, highly-adept team to develop and prioritize product features and build product roadmap.
Product Leadership Consultant
Self-Employed
02.2018 - 02.2022
- Gluona - Led Product development operations to pilot and scale a standards-based data and reporting platform for 50+ rural school districts and Denver Public Schools funded by 1.5M+ in philanthropic grants.
- Teach for America Colorado - Served as Program Director for high-profile initiative for the TFA Innovation Incubator. Designed and launched a paid summer fellowship program for underserved students.
- Health Sqyre - Oversaw product development, testing and operations at early stage healthcare Ecommerce start-up in role of Product Owner, achieving 2X faster release cadence and 5X MRR.
VP, Operations
GUILD EDUCATION
12.2016 - 12.2017
- Led largest department responsible for customer acquisition, student retention, and university partner network expansion, during a period of exponential growth following Series B fundraise.
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
- Developed and implemented new strategies and policies to establish long-term business objectives and provide strong and sustainable organizational leadership.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
VP, Software Development Operations
CRAFTSY (acquired by NBC Universal)
12.2015 - 12.2016
- Promoted to roles with increasing scope and cross-functional responsibility during Series B - D hyper-growth phase.
- Served on Executive leadership team during period of 10X revenue growth and successful acquisition.
- Managed team of 21 product managers, designers, and software engineers.
VP, Product
CRAFTSY (acquired by NBC Universal)
03.2013 - 12.2015
- Spearheaded cross-functional initiatives across departments to achieve business expansion goals.
- Hired and managed Product Managers to maximize productivity while cultivating best practices and protocols for continuous development.
- Shaped solutions and approaches by leveraging trends in customer marketplaces and industries.
Director, Product
CRAFTSY (acquired by NBC Universal)
04.2011 - 03.2013
- First product hire for e-learning start-up that grew to serve more than 1M passionate hobbyists.
- Oversaw product expansion into ecommerce business platform, resulting in 2X growth in top line revenue in 2 years.
- Monitored and coordinated cross-functional workflows and stakeholders to optimize resources and timelines.
- Remained highly composed in fast-paced, stressful and constantly changing environment to provide calm leadership and achieve desired results.
Director, Horizontal Expansion, HomeAdvisor
IAC MEDIA COMPANY
06.2009 - 04.2011
- Recruited to a rapidly scaling partner company to prototype and launch a new product line to expand $30M lead-generation business for home contractors into multiple gig economy sectors.
- Worked closely with executive leadership to guide product and operational strategy.
Product Manager, Mindspark Interactive
IAC MEDIA COMPANY
01.2009 - 06.2009
- Hired as communications lead for 6-person start-up virtual world, funded as strategic initiative by $10B media company.
- Documented user stories, specifications, and product features into detailed work order to communicate across teams and build requirements.
- Built strong partnerships with leading environmental and humanitarian non-profits.
Copy Director & Strategist
LEOPARD (acquired By OlgilvyOne)
07.2001 - 12.2008
- Promoted from entry position writing customer success case studies to travel worldwide writing, producing and filming testimonials with C-suite executives at IBM's hallmark client companies
- Lead content strategy for the company's largest client (IBM Software Group, $6M annual revenue).
Core Teacher
THE LOGAN SCHOOL FOR CREATIVE LEARNING
06.1997 - 06.2001
- Core classroom teacher for multi-aged K-2nd grade classroom at innovative school for gifted students.
- Facilitated individualized curriculum and executed student-driven learning model, fostering self-directed environment for gifted students.
- Monitored student progress and provided feedback to both students and parents.
Education
M.A. Sociology -
Stanford University
B.A. Psychology -
Stanford University
Skills
- User Experience
- Strategic Planning
- Product Management
- Rapid Prototyping
- Change Management
- Agile Development Process
- Cross-functional Team Leadership
- Hiring & Retaining Technical Talent
Websites
References
Matthew Boeckman, Chief Technology Officer, The Pro's Closet, (720) 319-8911, matthew.boeckman@gmail.com, linkedin.com/in/matthewboeckman June Marcel, Founder and Owner, Gluona, (415) 517-7355, jmarcel@gluona.org, linkedin.com/in/june-marcel Amy Maher, Head of Product, The Pro's Closet, (720) 289-4709, amy.eliza.maher@gmail.com, linkedin.com/in/amy-maher Josh Scott, Founder & Chief Operations Officer, Craftsy/NBCU, (415) 867-8617, josh@joshscott.me, linkedin.com/in/joshscott
Hobbies and Interests
- Reimagining the future of education and workforce development
- Design thinking methodologies
- Fundraising & governance for innovative nonprofits
- Raising adventurous kids
- Western American fiction
- Telemarking & glamping
Timeline
Head of Strategic Initiatives, Product & Engineering
THE PRO'S CLOSET
05.2023 - Current
Product Principal, Operations
THE PRO'S CLOSET
10.2022 - 04.2023
Product Leadership Consultant
Self-Employed
02.2018 - 02.2022
VP, Operations
GUILD EDUCATION
12.2016 - 12.2017
VP, Software Development Operations
CRAFTSY (acquired by NBC Universal)
12.2015 - 12.2016
VP, Product
CRAFTSY (acquired by NBC Universal)
03.2013 - 12.2015
Director, Product
CRAFTSY (acquired by NBC Universal)
04.2011 - 03.2013
Director, Horizontal Expansion, HomeAdvisor
IAC MEDIA COMPANY
06.2009 - 04.2011
Product Manager, Mindspark Interactive
IAC MEDIA COMPANY
01.2009 - 06.2009
Copy Director & Strategist
LEOPARD (acquired By OlgilvyOne)
07.2001 - 12.2008
Core Teacher
THE LOGAN SCHOOL FOR CREATIVE LEARNING
06.1997 - 06.2001
M.A. Sociology -
Stanford University
B.A. Psychology -
Stanford University