Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Software
Timeline

Shawna Secker

Colorado Springs,CO

Summary

Senior operations leader with over 20 years of experience driving organizational excellence and compliance across international non-profit, financial services, and legal sectors. Proven ability to scale operations while implementing robust risk management frameworks, resulting in a significant increase in the private banking portfolio from $12MM to $31MM. Skilled in developing operational policies, managing C-level relationships, and optimizing processes for sustainable growth. Consistently delivers measurable results through systematic improvements in operational efficiency, compliance protocols, and stakeholder engagement.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience

Work History

Business Operations Manager

Garris Horn LLP
08.2018 - Current
  • Regularly manage C-suite matters
  • In accordance with strategic plans, develop departmental goals and standards to support vision
  • Identify financial trends and patterns
  • Develop and implement operational, human resource, and corporate communication policies, practices, and platforms
  • Plan, develop and execute the firm's administrative functions, identifying areas for internal practice efficiency
  • Reduce financial inconsistencies while assessing and verifying billing invoices and expense reports.
  • Enacted, administer company compensation and benefits plans
  • Manage, execute payroll, filings and related
  • Conduct employee and contractor onboarding, training & development, and oversee vendor management
  • Prepare engagement proposals and move clients through the engagement process
  • Negotiate price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.
  • Proactively identify and resolve client issues, conflicts
  • Perform supervisory duties 40% or less of the time.

Chief Operating Officer

Rotary District 5390
07.2015 - 06.2022
  • Managed financial, operational and human resources to continually optimize business performance
  • Maintained P&L and shouldered corporate fiscal responsibility
  • Monitored key business risks and established risk management procedures
  • Founded performance- and merit-based evaluation system to assess staff performance
  • Managed the Districts’ correspondence, records management, publications/forms management, administrative standard operating procedures, and administrative internal controls
  • Daily oversight over administrative operations
  • Managed alignment with current Rotary International, District procedures, and global goals
  • Created succession plans to provide continuity of operations during leadership transitions
  • Developed the annual strategy structure with new Governors
  • Developed innovative sales and marketing strategies to facilitate business expansion
  • Oversaw divisional marketing, advertising and new product development
  • Provided media relations and communications guidance to District leadership around sensitive and controversial issues
  • Identified and pursued business development opportunities to grow the organization and increase revenue.
  • Cultivated company-wide culture of innovation and collaboration.
  • Devised and presented business plans and forecasts to board of directors.
  • Directed technological improvements and oversaw business-wide changes to modernize procedures and organization

Client Service Associate

Morgan Stanley
05.2016 - 08.2018
  • Developed highly empathetic client relationships and earned reputation for regularly exceeding service standard goals
  • Bolstered customer retention by creating and offering unique discount options and inspiring interest in new product lines
  • Optimized customer support by establishing collaborative service environments through targeted operational initiatives
  • Liaised with sales, marketing, and management teams to develop solutions and accomplish shared objectives
  • Trained new personnel regarding company operations, policies and services
  • Reduced process inconsistencies and effectively trained team members on best practices and protocols

Community Engagement Manager

YWCA
10.2015 - 04.2016
  • Instituted and managed volunteer and supporting programs providing community services to underserved populations
  • Created and managed budgets, identifying and effectively allocating resources for social and community service projects
  • Implemented strategies to increase public awareness of social and community service programs
  • Identified new prospects and developed new donors/ fundraisers while soliciting annual, major, and planned gifts
  • Utilized grant writing skills to secure additional program funding
  • Designed and executed donor appreciation experience, conducted community outreach and public relations
  • Monitored trends in data and performed A/B testing to deliver increased engagement

Director of Development

American Heart Association
10.2013 - 10.2015
  • Established technical strategy for the organization, accounting for overall business goals, budgetary, and resource management
  • Defined and integrated roles, responsibilities, and processes for the business teams and data management organization
  • Partnered with business teams and IT personnel to align project goals with business strategy
  • Enacted a ground-up approach to integrating CRM resources to optimize resource and time allocation around customer outreach initiatives
  • Spearheaded deployment of websites, social media and mobile applications
  • Designed and deployed internal development dashboard to provide a clear, single touch-point to access progress metrics
  • Secured local sponsorship income and individual donations to support the events and developed major donors to maximize overall income potential
  • Mobilized CEOs, Presidents, and senior-level managers, cultivating local employers to raise funds
  • Collaborated with local and national communities to build a network of impactful volunteer partnerships to advance the mission through frequent, ongoing events

Community Engagement Manager

National Multiple Sclerosis Society
03.2011 - 10.2013
  • Doubled participation and income for events within 2 years
  • Spearheaded fundraising efforts to support social and community service initiatives
  • Implemented corporate sponsorship plans that increased corporate partnerships, resulting in effective fund-raising teams, in-kind support, and cash sponsorships
  • Developed and maintained local grass-roots marketing promotions, supported logistics planning and led local volunteer recruitment and monitored financial plans for the events
  • Conducted outreach to community agencies, healthcare professionals and the public at large, to increase the awareness of programs, services, advocacy and fundraising opportunities available to those with MS and caregivers
  • Utilized grant writing skills to secure additional program funding
  • Monitored trends in data and performed A/B testing to deliver increased engagement

Private Banking Relationship Manager

BNY Mellon Wealth Management
07.2006 - 03.2011
  • Increased the Seattle Private Banking outstanding loan balances from $12MM to $31MM; increased deposits from $15MM to $28MM between 2007 and through April 2010
  • Managed loan underwriting and account monitoring for the loan and deposit portfolio
  • Recognized for Premier Achievement Award for performance and contributions in 2007
  • Managed marketing budget of $350,000 for the Pacific Northwest region
  • Improved overall financial reporting by streamlining control processes and reporting structures
  • Partnered with Portfolio and Trust Managers to build strong long-term relationships with new and existing clients
  • Recommended other bank services including mortgage loans, investment management and not-for-profit accounts
  • Prepared cash flow projections, cost analysis for monthly, quarterly and annual executive reports
  • Collaborated with the C-suite and stakeholders to develop long-term financial plans
  • Created and managed financial models to evaluate corporate investments and acquisitions
  • Established internal audit procedures to validate and improve accuracy of financial reporting
  • Developed financial dashboards to provide clear insights into key performance indicators

Corporate Development Training Specialist II

Sterling Savings Bank
02.2003 - 02.2005
  • Developed and implemented the organization's onboarding program.
  • Identified training needs, and coordinated the development, design and implementation of corporate training programs
  • Provided key input on personnel matters as it relates to training and development to include performance appraisals and interviewing candidates for employment
  • Mentored new personnel hired across an array of roles
  • Developed training handbooks, computer tutorials and reference materials.
  • Prepared videos for online and remote instruction.
  • Developed job-specific competencies and performance standards for employees
  • Conducted needs assessments to identify gaps in performance and develop targeted learning solutions.
  • Utilized variety of instructional design methodologies to create effective learning experiences.
  • Worked with vendors to customize courseware
  • Developed and executed performance management programs to increase employee engagement and productivity.

Education

BA -

Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA
08.2016

Economics, Sociology

Global Travel Education - International Business And Communications

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
12.1999

Associate of Arts -

South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia, WA
05.1999

Skills

  • Senior Leadership
  • Operations Management
  • Financial Planning
  • Policy Development and Implementation
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Risk Assessment and Mitigation
  • Training and Development Programs
  • Team-building and Organizational Development

Affiliations

  • Rotary International, District Governor (2024-2025)
  • Rotary SCRYE Executive Secretary and Registrar
  • Rotary International, District 5390 Chief Operating Officer
  • Billings Studio Theatre Board (Past President)
  • Faith Chapel (Facilitator of Financial Peace University)

Software

Microsoft Office 365

Adobe Creative Suite

CLIO

SquareSpace

QuickBooks

Paycor

Timeline

Business Operations Manager - Garris Horn LLP
08.2018 - Current
Client Service Associate - Morgan Stanley
05.2016 - 08.2018
Community Engagement Manager - YWCA
10.2015 - 04.2016
Chief Operating Officer - Rotary District 5390
07.2015 - 06.2022
Director of Development - American Heart Association
10.2013 - 10.2015
Community Engagement Manager - National Multiple Sclerosis Society
03.2011 - 10.2013
Private Banking Relationship Manager - BNY Mellon Wealth Management
07.2006 - 03.2011
Corporate Development Training Specialist II - Sterling Savings Bank
02.2003 - 02.2005
Evergreen State College - BA,
University of Pittsburgh - Global Travel Education, International Business And Communications
South Puget Sound Community College - Associate of Arts,
Shawna Secker