Veena Puri
Dallas,TX
Summary
25+ years of strategic thought leadership, talent management and operational depth supporting large-scale transformations in a variety of industries; notably in Retail, Foodservice, Healthcare, Distribution, Manufacturing, Life Sciences, and Technology sectors
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Client Leadership Team
Blankenship Change Consulting
10.2021 - Current
- Provided strategic advisory services for senior level and C-suite clients in Fortune 100 companies across Retail, Foodservice, Healthcare, Distribution, Manufacturing, Life Sciences, and Technology sectors including annual planning, org and operating model transformation and strategic roadmap development.
- Grew client roster with the addition of 5 new clients with numerous workstreams in the last 2 years.
Program Lead/Consultant
Blankenship Change Consulting
01.2019 - Current
- Supported numerous large-scale transformations in Retail, Foodservice, Healthcare, Distribution, Manufacturing, Life Sciences, and Technology sectors
- Areas of expertise include: Strategic Planning & Facilitation, Business Transformation & Integrations, Org Design and Op Model Implementation, Organizational Change Management and Communications, Leadership Development, Training and Facilitation, Talent Management, Culture & DEI, Value Stream Mapping & Process Design, Agile Transformation (SAFe for Teams, SAFe for PM/PO), Executive Coaching & Advisory Services
Owner, Consultant
T&T Consulting Partners
09.2010 - 12.2014
- Partnered with clients in developing transformational strategies as well as identifying turnaround opportunities.
- Evaluated growth options including development of business cases and roadmap to support transformation.
- Conducted target market research to scope out industry competition and identify advantageous trends.
- Evaluated diverse organizational systems to identify workflow, communication and resource utilization issues.
- Facilitated executive leadership strategy and alignment sessions as needed.
SVP, Foodservice Operations & Nutrition Services
ARAMARK Education
07.2006 - 01.2008
- Developed and implemented new strategies and policies in collaboration with newly integrated executive leadership team resulting from merging of Food & Facilities divisions to establish and achieve long-term business objectives, providing company with strong and sustainable organizational leadership.
- Responsible for achieving financial plan of over $430MM in revenue and improving operational execution of contract foodservice management in the K-12 marketplace made up of 400 existing clients and 4000 locations across US.
- Led team of foodservice experts in development, training and execution of newly standardized core operational systems, process and tools designed to improve operational efficiency.
- Provided strategic insight at collaborative corporate cross-division operational level on the Ops Council related to new menu development system (PRIMA).
- Led efforts of Menu Development team in transforming existing process into a centrally managed concept resulting in significant quality gains and cost reductions.
- Co-author of “Coaching For Results”, a leadership development program designed to build the day-to-day leadership capabilities of multi-unit operators at every level of organization.
Regional Vice President
ARAMARK Education
11.2004 - 07.2006
- Aligned organizational objectives with company mission, increasing revenue, profit and business growth by collaboratively developing integrated strategies.
- Led South/West Region in expansion and quality execution of contract management services in the K-12 marketplace made up of 80 existing clients and 900 locations spanning 8 states.
- Led regional leadership team with responsibility for operations, finance, human resources, marketing and sales in a highly regulated industry with over 90% of contracts requiring annual renewal.
- With P&L accountability for $115MM in revenue with considerable opportunity for expansion, led the division in achieving financial incentive targets for fiscal 2005.
- In a very short time, made a significant impact in shaping the entire division's organizational transformation efforts with the introduction of an Organizational Health Assessment process.
Regional Vice President
Long John Silver's/A&W Restaurants
12.2003 - 11.2004
- Led turnaround of brand's largest DMA consisting of 67 locations.
- Led regional leadership team with responsibility for operations, finance, human resources, and marketing with a significant focus on building capability of both restaurant and district level managers.
- Third level P&L accountability of over $50MM in sales with considerable opportunity for growth.
- In less than a year, made measurable improvements in overall bench strength, customer satisfaction metrics, and key profitability measures.
National Director
Yum Brands Inc
11.2001 - 12.2003
- Led development and execution of variety of strategic initiatives including: - New concept development (Wing Street, Pasta Bravo) - New day/part development (Yum! Breakfast Express) - New product development (Personal P'Zone) - Partnerships (Cold Stone Creamery, Nestle Tollhouse Café) and several divestitures.
- Led a team that contributed over $22MM in bottom line profit to Yum! Brands and represents over $200MM in sales.
- Led development and execution of a new development strategy in the mall channel resulting in new growth potential and the transformation of a faltering business segment.
- Provided consulting services to Yum! Restaurants International in the area of Express and Concessions Business Development by developing an in-depth training program.
National Director
Multi Brand Express Development, Tricon Global Restaurant
01.2000 - 11.2001
- Received Chairman's Award in 2002 from David Novak.
- Lead role in defining development process, market planning hierarchy and systemization efforts of Multi Brand Express concepts (Taco Bell/Pizza Hut Express and KFC/Pizza Hut Express).
- Led the sales and development effort of the Multi Brand Pizza Hut Express concepts.
- Aggressively grew the number of locations from 90 sites at the end of 1999 to over 700 by the end of 2001, resulting in a profit of over $50MM to Tricon.
- Developed and implemented Multi Brand Pizza Hut Express development policy that ensured a strategic and well thought out approach to expansion of the concept with the alignment of the franchise community.
Education
MBA - Marketing/Strategic Planning
University of Pittsburgh, Katz Graduate School of Business
Pittsburgh, PA07.1994
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration, Psychology
King College
Bristol, TN05.1991
Skills
- Strategy Development
- Operations and P&L Management
- Transformation Leadership
- Consulting and Business Development
- Client Relationship Management
- Talent Management and Org Effectiveness
- Performance Improvement
- Team Leadership, Coaching & Development
- Training Design, Development and Delivery
- Organizational Change Management
Affiliations
Women's Foodservice Forum: 1997-2009
- Executive Committee 2008-2009
- Board of Directors 2006-2009
- Committee Chair 2002 - 2006
- Committee Member 1997 - 2002
American Society for Training & Development
- Member since 2007
Timeline
Client Leadership Team
Blankenship Change Consulting
10.2021 - Current
Program Lead/Consultant
Blankenship Change Consulting
01.2019 - Current
Owner, Consultant
T&T Consulting Partners
09.2010 - 12.2014
SVP, Foodservice Operations & Nutrition Services
ARAMARK Education
07.2006 - 01.2008
Regional Vice President
ARAMARK Education
11.2004 - 07.2006
Regional Vice President
Long John Silver's/A&W Restaurants
12.2003 - 11.2004
National Director
Yum Brands Inc
11.2001 - 12.2003
National Director
Multi Brand Express Development, Tricon Global Restaurant
01.2000 - 11.2001
MBA - Marketing/Strategic Planning
University of Pittsburgh, Katz Graduate School of Business
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration, Psychology
King College
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