Stacy Smith
Verona,Wisconsin
Summary
Qualified VP with proven background in strategic planning, change management, and project portfolio management. Successfully leads cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact initiatives with demonstrated excellence in stakeholder communication and operational efficiency. Utilizes skillset to enhance operational efficiency and drive team success while thriving on transforming organizations through strategic vision, innovative solutions, and a commitment to building strong relationships. Believes in the power of collaboration, inclusivity, and clear communication to align diverse stakeholders around common goals. Committed to empowering others—developing leaders, nurturing talent, and creating sustainable communities within which innovation and trust can flourish.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives
UW-Madison
02.2024 - Current
- Specializes in project portfolio management, strategic planning, and strategic operations process improvement.
- Leads teams of up to 30 personnel, supervising daily performance as well as training and improvement plans.
- Trains and develops department leaders and management staff for specific projects and ongoing operational needs.
- Mentors junior staff members, providing guidance on professional development opportunities and career progression paths within the company.
- Establishes strong relationships with key industry partners, creating mutually beneficial opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Establishes team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
Senior Project Manager
UW-Madison
07.2023 - 02.2024
- Provided outstanding service to clients through effective communication and prompt issue resolution to facilitate future business opportunities.
- Led cross-functional teams for successful project delivery within scope, schedule, and budget constraints.
- Implemented change management processes to accommodate evolving project requirements while minimizing disruptions.
- Established effective communication channels with stakeholders to ensure transparency and alignment of expectations.
- Adapted quickly to unexpected challenges or obstacles encountered during project execution, devising creative solutions without compromising objectives.
- Presented regular status reports to executive leadership, providing insights into progress made toward achieving key milestones.
- Developed comprehensive project plans, identifying risks and mitigation strategies for timely completion.
- Conducted post-project evaluations to identify areas of improvement and implement corrective actions for future endeavors.
Technical Operations Program Manager
Wisconsin Supreme Court
07.2022 - 06.2023
- Designed a project portfolio management practice from the ground up within the Technical Operations branch that was later adopted across the organization.
- Increased overall efficiency by identifying bottlenecks and implementing targeted solutions.
- Enhanced team productivity by optimizing workflows and introducing time-saving tools.
- Directed resource planning efforts, aligning personnel capabilities with project requirements for optimal outcomes.
- Established performance metrics for ongoing assessment of operational effectiveness and continuous improvement opportunities.
- Improved communication flows between departments, leading to enhanced collaboration and optimized issue resolution.
- Implemented risk management strategies to minimize potential negative impacts on operations performance.
Senior Project Manager
UW-Madison
10.2019 - 07.2022
- Provided outstanding service to clients through effective communication and prompt issue resolution to facilitate future business opportunities.
- Led cross-functional teams for successful project delivery within scope, schedule, and budget constraints.
- Implemented change management processes to accommodate evolving project requirements while minimizing disruptions.
- Established effective communication channels with stakeholders to ensure transparency and alignment of expectations.
- Adapted quickly to unexpected challenges or obstacles encountered during project execution, devising creative solutions without compromising objectives.
- Presented regular status reports to executive leadership, providing insights into progress made toward achieving key milestones.
- Developed comprehensive project plans, identifying risks and mitigation strategies for timely completion.
- Conducted post-project evaluations to identify areas of improvement and implement corrective actions for future endeavors.
Transformation Project Manager
WHEDA
02.2018 - 10.2019
- Collaborated closely with senior management to align project objectives with strategic organizational initiatives.
- Provided detailed technical and operational direction in project challenges, consistently meeting deliverables according to deadlines.
- Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
- Established effective communication amongst team members for enhanced collaboration and successful project completion.
- Effectively managed scope creep by establishing clear boundaries on requested changes while keeping projects aligned with original objectives.
- Monitored progress against established goals, adjusting schedules and resources as needed to keep projects on track.
- Developed strong relationships with stakeholders through regular communication updates, fostering trust and confidence in the project team's ability to deliver results.
Senior IT Project Manager
TASC
10.2015 - 02.2018
- Streamlined project delivery by implementing Agile methodologies and improving collaboration among team members.
- Delivered reliable solutions by overseeing software design, development, testing, implementation, and support phases of IT projects.
- Facilitated communication among team members to solve complex technical challenges efficiently and effectively.
- Led technical upgrade projects for clients by coordinating and grooming product backlogs with product owners and developers.
- Coordinated with stakeholders to gather requirements and provide updates on progress throughout project lifecycles.
- Led system integration efforts, working closely with vendors and internal teams to ensure seamless transitions.
- Developed project management roadmaps to define project objectives, timelines, and milestones.
- Championed change management initiatives by incorporating feedback from end-users into future project plans and improvements.
Project Manager
WPS Health Solutions
04.2015 - 10.2015
- Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
- Developed comprehensive project plans with clear timelines, milestones, and budget requirements, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results.
- Collaborated closely with senior management to align project objectives with strategic company initiatives.
- Managed risk assessments and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize potential issues during project execution.
Integration Project Manager - Technology Solutions
Core BTS
09.2014 - 04.2015
- Transitioned seamlessly between multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining a high level of focus and attention to detail in each one.
- Collaborated closely with technical teams to address any system compatibility issues during the course of an integration initiative.
- Streamlined integration processes by implementing efficient project management methodologies and tools.
- Maintained strict adherence to security protocols during sensitive data transfers, safeguarding confidential information throughout integration projects.
Implementation Project Manager
Wolters Kluwer Health
06.2013 - 09.2014
- Delivered exceptional customer satisfaction by proactively addressing client concerns and meeting or exceeding expectations throughout the engagement process.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams and resolved conflicts, maintaining a positive work environment throughout the project lifecycle.
- Prepared detailed reports on project status for stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment with objectives.
- Facilitated smoother project transitions, ensuring thorough documentation and effective handovers.
Implementation Project Manager
Healthgrades
10.2012 - 06.2013
- Developed strong relationships with stakeholders through regular communication updates, fostering trust and confidence in the team''s ability to deliver results.
- Developed comprehensive project plans with clear timelines, milestones, and budget requirements, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results.
- Improved stakeholder satisfaction with detailed project updates and proactive issue resolution.
Associate Project Manager
Dean Health Plan
04.2012 - 10.2012
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to successfully achieve project milestones and objectives.
- Implemented best practices in project management methodologies to optimize performance and achieve desired results.
- Supported senior project managers in executing complex initiatives by performing research, data analysis, and presentation preparation tasks as needed.
- Led team meetings to assess project progress and plan appropriately to meet delivery targets.
- Partnered with project team members to identify and quickly address opportunities for improvement.
Project Lead - UAT
American Family Insurance
03.2011 - 03.2012
- Streamlined project management processes by implementing Agile methodologies and improving team communication.
- Coordinated with stakeholders to define project scopes, aligning objectives with business goals.
- Initiated quality assurance practices that resulted in higher client satisfaction rates.
- Led cross-functional teams to streamline project delivery, ensuring alignment with client expectations.
- Monitored project progress, identified risks and took corrective action as needed.
Education
MBA - Strategic Operations Management
Cardinal Stritch University
Madison, WI12-2009
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Science & Rhetoric
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI12-2001
Skills
- Enterprise Change Management – Prosci, ADKAR, Kotter; change adoption, readiness, and transformation execution
- Organizational Transformation & Effectiveness – Enterprise-wide strategy alignment, process improvement, value realization
- Program & Project Portfolio Management – PMO leadership, initiative intake, prioritization, resourcing, and performance tracking
- Strategic Planning & Alignment – Linking initiatives to enterprise strategy and financial goals; delivery discipline
- Executive Coaching & Stakeholder Engagement – Sponsor/leader coaching, alignment building, enterprise communications
- Team Leadership & Talent Development – Recruiting, retaining, and developing high-performing teams; inclusive leadership and culture-building
- Enterprise Communications & Facilitation – Change messaging, workshops, forums, capability building across the organization
- Cross-Functional Collaboration – Partnering with HR, Marketing, Corporate Communications, Strategy, and business units
- Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement – Reducing friction, improving outcomes, building scalable systems and tools
- Future-Readiness & Agility – External perspective, navigating complexity, ambiguity, and risk with foresight and integrity
Certification
- Certified PMI PMP (Credential ID: 1955331)
- PROSCI Certified Change Management Practitioner
- Professional Scum Master Certification
- PMI Agile Hybrid Project Pro Credential
- PMI Generative AI Overview Micro-Credential
- PMI Data Landscape of GenAI Micro-Credential
- ToP Facilitation Certified
- Dale Carnegie Graduate & Highest Award for Achievement Recipient
Timeline
Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives
UW-Madison
02.2024 - Current
Senior Project Manager
UW-Madison
07.2023 - 02.2024
Technical Operations Program Manager
Wisconsin Supreme Court
07.2022 - 06.2023
Senior Project Manager
UW-Madison
10.2019 - 07.2022
Transformation Project Manager
WHEDA
02.2018 - 10.2019
Senior IT Project Manager
TASC
10.2015 - 02.2018
Project Manager
WPS Health Solutions
04.2015 - 10.2015
Integration Project Manager - Technology Solutions
Core BTS
09.2014 - 04.2015
Implementation Project Manager
Wolters Kluwer Health
06.2013 - 09.2014
Implementation Project Manager
Healthgrades
10.2012 - 06.2013
Associate Project Manager
Dean Health Plan
04.2012 - 10.2012
Project Lead - UAT
American Family Insurance
03.2011 - 03.2012
MBA - Strategic Operations Management
Cardinal Stritch University
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Science & Rhetoric
University of Wisconsin-Madison
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