Samira Fazel Creel
Glen Allen,VA
Summary
Accomplished Product and Innovation Leader with extensive experience driving technology strategy, optimizing IT portfolios, and delivering user-centered solutions. Adept at leveraging Design Thinking and Agile methodologies to foster cross-functional collaboration, streamline operations, and enhance product roadmaps. Proven expertise in vendor relationship management, risk assessment, and IT governance to implement scalable, secure, and compliant systems. Demonstrated ability to lead enterprise-level initiatives, de-escalate critical issues, and align technology solutions with organizational objectives. Skilled at integrating innovative technologies across diverse sectors, including finance, insurance, and healthcare, to meet evolving business needs and improve end-user experiences.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sr. IT Vendor Relationship Manager
McKesson
Dallas, TX
06.2025 - Current
- Managed vendor relationships to ensure timely delivery and compliance with contract terms.
- Streamlined inventory management processes, improving accuracy in stock levels and reducing discrepancies.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve supply chain issues and enhance operational efficiency.
- Developed training materials for staff on vendor compliance standards and quality control procedures.
- Conducted regular audits of vendor performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions.
- Facilitated negotiations with vendors to secure favorable terms, enhancing overall procurement strategies.
- Implemented feedback system for vendors, leading to improvements in product quality.
- Conducted market analysis to identify potential new products or services for company.
Third Party Risk Strategy and Tech Operations Lead
Capital One
Richmond, VA
09.2021 - 09.2024
- Led an eight-person team responsible for the evaluation, optimization, delivery, and support of the Business Tools portfolio, identifying both risk and capability gaps and formulating strategic recommendations for innovative tool enhancements and solutions delivery.
- Conducted comprehensive software risk assessments in collaboration with Cyber and Engineering teams to pinpoint vulnerabilities in IT systems and processes, followed by implementation of controls and monitoring actions.
- Participated in IT infrastructure audits, ensuring adherence to compliance standards and recommending improvements based on findings.
- Managed vendor relationships and assessed new partnership opportunities to innovate and implement cost-effective tool strategies.
- Key Achievements:
- - Partnered with key stakeholders across several lines of business to rationalize business tool sets, resulting in cost savings and reduced risk.
- - Researched and evaluated new technologies, tools, and platforms to identify opportunities for innovation, optimization, and compliance within the IT landscape.
- - Scaled the use, governance, change management, and support of a key business tool from 200 pilot users during testing to 9,000 users in production, partnering with the vendor to address vulnerabilities prior to a full rollout.
- - Implemented robust security measures and protocols to safeguard sensitive data and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards.
- - Monitored and analyzed system performance and support metrics, identifying areas for control optimization and risk enhancement.
Director, Product Management & Solutions Delivery
Start-up: Blue Ocean Brain (acquired)
Mclean & Richmond, VA
10.2019 - 06.2021
- Led the design, development, and deployment of innovative Cloud-Based SaaS product strategies, ensuring alignment with company vision and market needs.
- Managed solution delivery using Agile methodologies and Design Thinking, resulting in improved product functionality and user experience.
- Directed cross-functional teams, including Engineering, Infrastructure, and Support, fostering a collaborative environment and enhancing team productivity.
- Accountable for product roadmap prioritization, conducting data-driven value analyses to inform decision-making and optimize ROI.
- Oversaw vendor relationships and external development resources, maintaining strict adherence to service level agreements and project requirements.
- Led cross-functional teams to develop innovative learning solutions, enhancing employee engagement and retention.
- Directed strategic planning initiatives to align organizational goals with training programs and development strategies.
- Implemented data-driven decision-making processes, optimizing resource allocation for workforce development projects.
VP, Product & Client Success
Start-up: Risk Based Security (acquired)
Mclean & Richmond, VA
10.2019 - 06.2021
- Aligned product offerings with company vision and strategy, leading cross-functional teams in customer onboarding, training, and technical support.
- Directed engineering and product teams to innovate and develop cutting-edge products in line with company goals and product roadmap.
- Spearheaded product strategy and governance, ensuring delivery teams and technical solutions were aligned with organizational and IT strategy.
- Drove industry readiness of new features through demonstrations and pilots in collaboration with the Client Advisory Board.
- Built and developed high-performing teams of designers, engineers, developers, product specialists, and customer success managers.
- Implemented an organizational structure promoting efficiency, performance, and collaboration within product design, engineering, and client success teams.
- Enhanced technical standards, procedures, processes, and tools, and facilitated Agile training.
- Managed development across multiple platforms, maintaining agility to prioritize company objectives.
- Quoted in Dark Reading: "When designing systems or services in general, a lot of people think that we have to 'fix the user' in order to achieve an overarching business goal," says Samira Creel, vice president of product and client success for Risk Based Security. "However, in our field especially we need to stop trying to fix the user to achieve security. Usable security does not mean 'getting people to do what we want.' It means designing security that works given, or despite, what people do."
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance cybersecurity frameworks and risk management processes.
- Developed comprehensive risk assessment methodologies to evaluate organizational vulnerabilities.
Director, Customer Experience & End User Services
Start-up: OneWeb (lost Funding)
Mclean & Richmond, VA
10.2019 - 06.2021
- Directed enterprise-wide customer-centered technology initiatives and end user support, ensuring seamless and efficient operations.
- Oversaw Customer Experience teams as well as operational support teams.
- Re-structured an organization of 35 associates to optimize delivery and boost morale.
- Managed internal and external field and desktop services, enhancing quality management programs, self-service options, and mobility solutions.
- Conducted comprehensive data and context assessments to derive customer insights, identify technology opportunities, and address organizational needs.
- Spearheaded the requirements gathering and implementation of ServiceNow, improving service delivery to internal and external customers.
- Maintained strict adherence to IT standards during the design of new solutions, facilitating scalability and future enhancements.
- Fostered collaboration with the Digital Experience Platform application delivery team to inform feature enhancements based on customer research.
- Engaged in proactive stakeholder communication to enhance visibility and alignment across leadership levels and the employee base.
- Developed and prioritized departmental scorecards and established End User Experience Monitoring (EUEM) protocols.
- Led cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategic initiatives enhancing operational efficiency.
- Directed project management efforts, ensuring timely delivery of key technology solutions for satellite communications.
UX Manager
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Richmond, VA
04.2018 - 10.2019
- Managed experience services to enhance productivity, collaboration, and mobility solutions within the organization.
- Led a team of researchers and experience strategists, setting a strategic vision for the User Experience Team in alignment with long-range goals.
- Applied Design Thinking Methodologies to streamline HR processes, notably enhancing the Onboarding Process for new hires and contractors.
- Forged partnerships with Strategy and Architecture, Product Owners, Communications, Technology Adoption, and Operations departments to foster a user-centered approach.
- Drove prioritization of workforce technology enhancements in collaboration with Lean Six Sigma teams.
- Advocated for technological and operational optimizations, resulting in improved effectiveness, ease of use, and engagement in end user experiences.
- Managed the Voice of the User (VOU) program, implementing qualitative and quantitative methods to inform experience improvements.
- Championed the integration of Design Thinking, leading to a successful pilot that improved the onboarding experience across several districts.
- Established and championed the first User Experience team within National IT, demonstrating the value of user experience in software management.
- Implemented dual track Agile to increase the efficiency of the design and development cycles resulting in less rework and increased delivery times.
- Spearheaded a user-centered design initiative that included discovery, research, persona creation, journey mapping, and measurement strategies.
- Represented National IT at an annual User Experience Conference, highlighting the organization's commitment to user experience.
- Partnered with Lean Six Sigma teams to establish product governance, driving the prioritization of key technology enhancements.
- Developed and implemented user-centered design processes to optimize product usability.
Education
M.S. - Information Science
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC06-2004
BS - Management Information Systems & Decision Science, French
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA06-1999
Skills
- Product strategy
- Product lifecycle management
- Data-driven decision making
- Prioritization and execution
- Interpersonal communication
- Cross functional leadership
- Stakeholder relations
- Competitive analysis
- End to end feature delivery
- User and UX research
Certification
- Certified Scrum Master - Scrum Alliance
- Certified Enterprise Design Thinking Practitioner - IBM
- CISM - in progress
Timeline
Sr. IT Vendor Relationship Manager
McKesson
06.2025 - Current
Third Party Risk Strategy and Tech Operations Lead
Capital One
09.2021 - 09.2024
Director, Product Management & Solutions Delivery
Start-up: Blue Ocean Brain (acquired)
10.2019 - 06.2021
VP, Product & Client Success
Start-up: Risk Based Security (acquired)
10.2019 - 06.2021
Director, Customer Experience & End User Services
Start-up: OneWeb (lost Funding)
10.2019 - 06.2021
UX Manager
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
04.2018 - 10.2019
BS - Management Information Systems & Decision Science, French
George Mason University
M.S. - Information Science
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill