SHAWNDA DRENNEN SCHWARTZ
Worthington
Summary
Dynamic leader in proposal and project management, successfully advancing 60 percent of pursuits to finalist status, contributing to significant business growth. Expertise in orchestrating high-value proposals, fostering collaboration among diverse teams, and ensuring compliance for submissions worth over $900 million.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Proposal Project Manager
OptumRx
06.2025 - 06.2026
- Directed the full proposal lifecycle for multiple concurrent pursuits, leading strategy sessions, coordinating subject matter experts (SMEs) and executives, and managing review cycles for on-time, compliant submissions.
- Advanced more than 60 percent of assigned pursuits to the finalist stage through strategic coordination, competitive positioning, and rigorous quality control, increasing opportunities for new business growth.
- Led and supported Best and Final Offer and Request for Proposal (RFP) submissions and renewal responses that secured a new $900 million client contract and retained more than $100 million in existing client business.
Proposal Manger and Writer
MedImpact
Columbus
08.2024 - 06.2025
- Led, wrote, and managed multiple high-priority proposal pursuits with competing deadlines, ensuring compliant, high-quality submissions and on-time delivery across all opportunities.
- Advanced more than 40 percent of assigned pursuits to the finalist stage through strategic coordination, competitive positioning, and rigorous quality control; managed proposals valued from $500,000 to $350 million.
- Partnered with senior leadership, SME, sales, marketing, and legal teams to develop executive summaries, win themes, and compliant contract documentation, strengthening proposal competitiveness and RFP compliance.
Senior Proposal Manger
Optum Health
Columbus
07.2021 - 09.2023
- Led end-to-end RFP responses as primary project manager, lead writer, and single point of contact across sales, technical, solutions, and finance teams, ensuring compliant and competitive submissions for opportunities valued from $8 million to $150 million.
- Developed and communicated comprehensive proposal management plans defining strategy, stakeholder alignment, timelines, and execution approach to ensure clarity and on-time delivery.
- Directed proposal content development and quality control through hands-on writing, editing, and feedback while adhering to Optum brand standards across public sector, state and local government, commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid proposals.
Lead Content Manager - Consultant for Microsoft
Shipley Associates
Kaysville
08.2021 - 06.2022
- Served as sole content manager supporting Microsoft Business Applications proposal and sales teams, overseeing content strategy, development, and enablement across all proposal activities.
- Curated, wrote, and edited more than 500 content records per month from completed proposals and RFP responses, maintaining a high-quality, reusable content library.
- Managed and mentored a part-time content editor and writer, providing oversight, quality assurance, and training to improve consistency and output quality across deliverables.
Technical Bid Lead and Manager
Vertiv
Westerville
11.2017 - 08.2021
- Led global technical bids and major account proposals for power and thermal solutions supporting data center customers, contributing to $80 million to $100+ million in annual sales through cross-functional leadership across sales, finance, legal, procurement, and planning.
- Facilitated bid kickoff and strategy sessions with sales leadership to align proposal execution with RFP requirements, technical specifications, and competitive positioning.
- Designed and implemented standardized bid processes, procedures, and tracking tools that improved cross-team coordination, execution efficiency, and consistency across global proposal efforts.
President and Founder
R&S Marketing Consultants
Columbus
08.2009 - 11.2017
- Conducted market research and brand positioning for Watershed Distillery, identifying target markets and supporting growth from regional startup to nationally recognized spirits brand.
- Increased sales for local restaurant by 20 percent through targeted public relations campaigns, media outreach, promotional events, and social media marketing while managing account executives, consultants, and interns.
- Developed and executed integrated marketing, public relations, content, social media, and website strategies, enhancing client visibility and engagement.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communications with Marketing minor
The Ohio State University
Google Artificial Intelligence Course - Professional Certificate
CF APMP - Foundation certification
Skills
- Proposal lifecycle management
- Project execution and assessment
- Process optimization
- Cross-functional leadership
- Team development and coaching
- Content strategy and management
Timeline
Proposal Project Manager
OptumRx
06.2025 - 06.2026
Proposal Manger and Writer
MedImpact
08.2024 - 06.2025
Lead Content Manager - Consultant for Microsoft
Shipley Associates
08.2021 - 06.2022
Senior Proposal Manger
Optum Health
07.2021 - 09.2023
Technical Bid Lead and Manager
Vertiv
11.2017 - 08.2021
President and Founder
R&S Marketing Consultants
08.2009 - 11.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communications with Marketing minor
The Ohio State University