Vicky Sampah
Plainfield,IL
Summary
Innovative Product Manager with over 5 years of experience in software development, specializing in Multiple Listing Service solutions. Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams to design, develop, and launch software products that enhance user experience and increase market share. Skilled in Agile methodologies, user research, and data-driven product development.
A visionary leadership with 10 plus years managing trade associations, honing skills in governance, member relations, education, events management, and strategic oversight. Proven ability to bridge technology and business goals to drive new initiatives, enhance product functionalities, and deliver competitive advantages. Previous experience in real estate spanning 10+ years of facility management, leasing, relocation services, international and investor relations, with a proven track record driving organizational efficiency, global partnerships, and technological advancements. Identifies opportunities for growth while championing sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and technological innovation.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
15
15
Certifications
Work History
Product Owner
XCHANGE MLS
12.2023 - Current
- Leading the development and strategic direction of MLS software products, overseeing a team of 4 developers, and coordinating with UX/UI designers, analysts, and QA testers
- Successfully launched the Xchange MLS, an all-in-one multinational, multilanguage and multicurrency real estate listing portal
- Managing product backlog, prioritizing according to strategic goals and market demands
- Conducting continuous market analysis to anticipate industry trends and adjust product strategy, ensuring competitive advantage and market relevance.
Project Manager
ARCE CONFERENCES
01.2021 - Current
- Conference Execution: Spearheaded the entire lifecycle of 3 key ARCE Conferences; from conceptualizing engaging themes in sync with real estate market dynamics to seamless execution
- Established robust connections with sponsors, speakers, and stakeholders to curate relevant themes and sessions, culminating in increased industry engagement and elevated event profiles
- Strategic Planning: Managed venue selections, sessions, awards, and trade shows
- Expertly developed conference themes, resource allocation, and detailed outlines, ensuring alignment with evolving industry expectations
- Exercised strategic foresight in theme development, enhancing event appeal and relevance
- Team Leadership & Proposal Development: Guided teams through comprehensive proposal creation, budget management, and agenda setting
- Orchestrated speaker lists, floorplans, and timelines, fostering a collaborative environment that ensured meticulous adherence to project schedules and quality standards
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborated closely with internal teams and external vendors, guaranteeing strict compliance with event specifications
- Ensured the success of each conference through diligent planning and execution, leveraging agile methodologies like Scrum for requirement gathering, sprint planning, and effective retrospective meetings.
Association Executive
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS’ ASSOCIATION
09.2016 - Current
- Strategic Leadership: Championed development and execution of association's mission, goals, and policies, setting strategic course, driving association initiatives, and shaping policies with the board of directors, global and local industry affiliates
- Program Development & Representation: Pioneered educational programs for members, managing budgets and grant proposals
- Represented Association in government boards, contributing to the legislative framework for real estate professional licensing
- Board Engagement & Strategic Initiatives: Actively participated in board meetings, proposing and implementing strategic plans and policies
- Ensured realization of the association's objectives through targeted goal setting and execution of the strategic plan.
Corporate Real Estate Facilities Representative
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
01.2020 - 02.2021
- Facility Operations Management: Orchestrated operation of 95,000 sq
- Ft HCSC Danville Facility along with other sites
- Implemented operational methodologies to ensure facilities ran at optimal efficiency, improving workplace environments
- Vendor Coordination & Project Supervision: Planned, assigned, and supervised vendor-provided services, encompassing a wide range of responsibilities from regular maintenance to project management and leasehold improvements
- Financial Management: Handled Purchase Orders and Statements of Work, aligning with organizational objectives
- Oversaw and monitored operating expenses and capital budgets, demonstrating exceptional skill in budget preparation and fiscal responsibility
- Strategic Collaboration & Incident Management: Engaged with senior managers to develop strategic plans and objectives, enhancing departmental performance
- Played a pivotal role in incident resolution, providing regular updates to leadership
- Executive Reporting & Cost Control: Developed comprehensive executive presentations and reports, facilitating detailed project evaluation and identifying areas for improvement
- Championed cost control activities, significantly contributing to budget efficiency and expenditure optimization
- Construction & Service Level Management: Managed multiple construction projects, ensuring adherence with service level agreements
- Balanced project timelines, resource allocation, and quality standards, resulting in enhanced facility functionality.
Project Manager/Scrum – Real Estate Software Development
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS’ ASSOCIATION
09.2016 - 12.2019
- Project Management: Oversaw development and launch of software solutions
- Managed project charters, statements of work (SOWs), budgets, and development teams, utilizing scrum boards for effective workflow visualization and stakeholder feedback integration
- Agile Methodology & Team Coordination: Engaged in daily stand-ups and sprint review meetings, ensuring project alignment with objectives and timely issue resolution
- Launched projects with precision, conducting regular training and system upgrades
- Lean & Agile Processes: Adopted Lean and Agile methodologies, employing sprints for dynamic and iterative development
- This approach minimized costs while aligning closely with development goals, leading to efficient and goal-oriented project outcomes.
Education
MSRE - Real Estate Finance & Management
Roosevelt University
Chicago, ILMBA - Marketing
University of Ghana
BA - Sociology
Kwame Nkrumah' University of Science and Technology
Skills
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
SharePoint
Google Workspace
QuickBooks
Zoho books
Smartsheet
Trello
Slack
MS project
Monday
Asana
Click Up
Jira
Prezi
Notion
Confluence
Multiple Listing Service
Smart Inspect
Fiix
Yardi
Hootsuite
HubSpot
YouTube
Agile Methodologies
Team Leadership
Budget Oversight
Scrum Management
Risk Management
Process Improvement
Project Management
Negotiation
Strategic /Critical Thinking
Event Planning & Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Networking & Relationship Building
Competitive Analysis
Campaign Management
Event Planning
Certification
PMP
Affiliations
- National Association of Realtors
- Illinois Realtors
- Mainstreet Organization of Realtors
- National Association of Real Estate Brokers
- FIABCI – International Real Estate Federation
Leadership Committee
- Mainstreet Organization of Realtors, 2016, 2019, Board Member
- Illinois Realtors Global Business Council, 2017, Committee Chair
- Mainstreet Organization of Realtors, 2016, Committee Chair
- NAR’s Meetings and Conferences Committee, 2017, 2020, Committee Member
- NAR Global Business Alliances Committee, Committee Member
- Illinois Realtors, 2017, Present, Consulate Liaison to Rwanda
- NAR, 2016, 2019, President’s Liaison to Ghana
References
Available Upon Request
Volunteer Experience
- Habitat Build, National Association of Realtors, Chicago, 2017
- Organizing mission trips (inbound and outbound), National Association of Realtors
- Member of Meetings & Conference planning Committee, National Association of Realtors, 2017 - 2020
- NAR President’s Liaison to Ghana, National Association of Realtors
- NAR Presidential Advisory Group member, National Association of Realtors, 2015
- Habitat Build, Illinois Realtors, Aurora, 2015
- Global Committee for Illinois Realtors, 2017/2018
- Illinois Consulate Liaison to Rwanda, Illinois Realtors
- Board Member, MainStreet Organization of Realtors, 2016 - 2019
- Global Council Chair, MainStreet Organization of Realtors, 2016/2017
- Global Council Vice Chair, MainStreet Organization of Realtors, 2015
- Board Member, Ghana Government (Ghana Real Estate Agency Council – Board of Directors), 2021/2024
- Board Member, State of Illinois - Illinois Department of Financial Regulation (Real Estate Administration and Disciplinary Board), 2022/2025
- Board Member, Ghana – Ghana Real Estate Agency Council 2022/2025
Timeline
Product Owner
XCHANGE MLS
12.2023 - Current
Project Manager
ARCE CONFERENCES
01.2021 - Current
Corporate Real Estate Facilities Representative
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
01.2020 - 02.2021
Association Executive
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS’ ASSOCIATION
09.2016 - Current
Project Manager/Scrum – Real Estate Software Development
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS’ ASSOCIATION
09.2016 - 12.2019
MSRE - Real Estate Finance & Management
Roosevelt University
MBA - Marketing
University of Ghana
BA - Sociology
Kwame Nkrumah' University of Science and Technology