Mike Cardona

Hidden Levers AI

Empowering creative solopreneurs to save time and money by optimizing and streamlining their operations for maximum efficiency.

Digital Architect | Automation Alchemist | Writer

CS Insider

Help build our automation infrastructure, systems and processes, and work alongside Brandon Cestrone to create a community-driven newsletter for Customer Success professionals all around the globe. 

Key Contributions
• Overhauled website, implemented. SEO data, Google Analytics, Email Marketing and automation campaigns. Manage initiative had held full redesign of the website with findings from customer segmentation and competitive research.

Business Operations | Digital Marketing Manager

Technically

Growth and Operations

Technically breaks down software engineering in simple language so you can impress your boss. Join 40K+ people getting more technical.

Growth and Operations

Digital Ops | Automation Alchemist

Online Elite Goods

Founder

Shane Co.

Collaborated closely with management and team members to enhance sales and customer support experiences while assisting in the onboarding of over 8 employees.

Key Contributions
• Played a crucial role in designing streamlined workflows, resulting in a 17% increase in customer feedback.
• Delivered exceptional performance, generating $1.7M in sales and earning the Salesperson of the Year award in 2016, followed by a promotion from Sales Representative to Client Account Manager.

Sales Support Representative | Client Account Manager

Central Payment

Addressed 60+ tech support calls and resolved 40+ support tickets daily, providing comprehensive assistance to a diverse clientele.

Key Contributions
• Surpassed monthly target by 155%, ranking in the top 2 among 15 team members for new account activations.
• Enhanced productivity by 22% and elevated customer satisfaction scores to 100% in under eight months through the development and implementation of innovative systems.

Technical Support Specialist

Optum

• Devised a system that lowered ACH by 30%, ranking 1st among 18 team members for relevant call metrics.
• Handled 60+ customer support calls daily, addressed inquiries via email and phone, resolved billing issues, and delivered consistent customer resolutions.
• Continually ranked within the top three on the team for customer satisfaction, thanks to outstanding problem-solving skills and exceptional customer service.

Customer Support | Intake Coordinator

Helping busy solo entrepreneurs save 30+ hours per month | Automate the tasks you hate, so you can spend more time doing what you love | Automation Alchemist 🧪

Are you working around the clock to keep your business afloat? From marketing to writing, accounting to customer service, you're juggling it all. It's exhausting.

You're not alone. This is a common struggle for solo-entrepreneurs and digital creators. The demands of your business often sideline the need for strategic focus and direction, leading to a vicious cycle of low-value tasks.

Don't blame yourself. When you're in the thick of running a business, finding time for growth planning can feel like a luxury. But what if it didn't have to be?

Imagine having:

• Simple but powerful automations.
• Streamlined workflows and systems.
• Time dedicated to strategic growth planning.

This is the promise of Hidden Levers. As a fellow solopreneur, I've walked in your shoes. Nine years ago, I was where you are now.

Today, I'm on a mission to help creative solopreneurs like you:

• Grow a profitable business without burning out.
• Do the work you love and enjoy.
• Achieve time-freedom.

Every Tuesday, I share actionable frameworks, resources, and tips that leverage AI/Tech tools so you can reclaim your time and do the work you enjoy—all in five minutes or less.

Ready to redefine your solopreneur journey? Click here: https://bit.ly/3PhJ8Vi

___

Follow me as well for content on:

• AI
• Zapier
• Airtable
• Systems
• No-Code
• Automation
• Solopreneurship

Operations | Automation Alchemist | Writer

Kaiser Permanente

Project Program Management Consultant

Titan Shield Technologies,LLC

President

Slalom

Project Manager - Global Retail Restaurant Franchise, Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO)

Consultant

Senior Project Manager - - Fortune 100 Healthcare Insurance Co., Tableau Reporting Solution

Sr. Program Manager - Fortune 100 Healthcare Insurance Co., Provider Data Quality Reporting Solution

Sr. Program Manager - Fortune 100 Healthcare Insurance Co., Business & Operational Readiness

Sr. Program Manager - Fortune 100 Healthcare Insurance Co., Product Market Launch Planning

Sr. Program Manager - Fortune 100 Healthcare Insurance Co., Capability Assessment & Program Planning

Program Manager / RTE - Fortune 100 Healthcare Insurance Co.,  Data Warehousing Program Rescue

Project Manager - Fortune 100 Global Healthcare Insurance Co, Pharmacy Strategic Report. Pgm Rescue

Project Manager - Fortune 100 Healthcare Insurance Co., Data Visualization & Reporting Solution

Project Manager - Fortune 200 Financial Services Co., Project Delivery Portal Design, Impl. & Maint.

Project Manager - Fortune 250 Global Biopharmaceutical Co., Agile Portfolio Mgmt. & Reporting

Business Architect / Project Manager - Insurance, Program and Project Delivery Framework

Project Manager - Insurance, CRM Implementation & Production Support

TEKsystems

Project Manager

- Leading a team consisting of Engineering, IT Applications, IT Infrastructure, IT Security, and Procurement leadership focused on obtaining agreement to transfer, and execution of transfers of COTS product licenses.
- Leading a team consisting of Engineering, IT Applications, IT Infrastructure, and IT Security personnel focused execution and support of end-user application and environment testing aimed at identifying, establishing, and stabilizing the post-deal close operating environment for the divested business unit.
- Developing, implementing, and managing the process for delivery of IT assets, including source code & documentation and other applicable application deliverables, to the divested business unit.
- Facilitating and coordinating infrastructure, application, and SAP and transition readiness reviews and further facilitating alignment of application teams with corresponding business and IT leadership.
- Participating in SAP strategy discussions, including vendor reviews, and information gathering sessions.
- Coordinating with SAP technical and security resources to gather, establish, and implement security & user roles.
- Tracking implementation of firewall rules and testing results for SAP and related applications.
- Analyzing and facilitating update of the legal Transition Services Agreement (TSA) document that implements corporate support for the divested business unit after close of the sale of the business unit.
- Assisting in the development and implementation of program controls and providing guidance to application teams on the implementation of IT action plans that facilitate program control.
- Analyzing application use at facilities nationwide to gather requirement details for divestiture of IT assets.
- Managing action items, issues, and risks and driving items to closure.
- Preparing & presenting presentations and status reports to senior management.

IT Project Manager at Pratt & Whitney

- Assisting leadership in keeping the program on track, in terms of schedule, budget, quality, and scope, ensuring program alignment with strategic goals for successful growth and the company’s competitive edge.
- Providing project management expertise for systems initiatives, while being seen as a change agent and ensuring adherence to standard processes driven by the Process Improvement Program and IT Controls teams. 
- Authoring governance policies and procedures on how to effectively manage IT projects, establishing more standardized and fluid set of processes to maintain consistent and effective management of projects within IT.
- Leading the development and maintenance of the Integrated Program Plan; Tracking the plan and key milestones against the program baseline; Measuring actual progress and performance against the plan, including critical path dependencies internal & external to the program using MS Project and MS Excel.
- Ensuring project readiness for stage gate reviews and obtaining approvals to exit each project phase.
- Developing detailed program status report packages and executive summaries for the Annuities IT CIO, Program Steering Committee, IT and Business Owners, Project Partner PMO, and other client leadership.
- Directing on-shore and off-shore vendors in the update and maintenance of the department’s CA Clarity PPM modules to maintain project demand, cost, and project data integrity and to achieve required team SLAs.
- Leading development of, and supervising maintenance of, project management deliverables and SDLC artifacts such as Project Charters, Action Item, Issues and Risk Logs, etc. 
- Supporting project forecasting and demand management, documenting gaps and recommendations as needed. 
- Monitoring, and ensuring adherence to, change control processes and reporting impact to the overall program. 
- Evaluating and improving Prudential SDLC methodologies to implement key controls and reduce risk.

IT Project Manager / Coordinator at Prudential Financial

LS3 Technologies, Inc.

Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)

Provided leadership and support to the OPIC Homeland Security Presidential Directive #12 (HSPD-12) Technology Refresh Program, valued at over $1MM, in leading design and installation of an HSPD-12 compliant Physical Access Control System (PACs) Management system to facilitate security of facilities and resources. Responsible for:
- Managing a team of internal employees and subcontractors and providing reporting on project progress.
- Leading weekly project status meetings to update project plans, action items, and risks & issues logs. 
- Preparing briefings for OPIC C-Level and Department leadership and updating Client Executives and Senior Management on project status.
- Converting business and technical requirements into test case scenarios and evaluating the results.
- Implementing requirements satisfaction control mechanisms by developing & executing project test plans and documenting results for integration, system, & User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
- Leading Certification and Accreditation (C&A) documentation development and review process efforts.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Providing program management leadership and support to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Federal and Interstate Mutual Aid Emergency Response Officials (F/ERO) Program in leading the build a defined F/ERO solution that facilitates identification & rapid deployment of capabilities, personnel, and resources.  Project responsibilities included:

- Responsible for build and delivery of final system solution, ensuring that project performance metrics surrounding schedule, cost, and quality are met

- Leading a team of PKI and PIV SMEs, along with Software, Infrastructure, and Test Engineers

- Ensuring proper system security documentation is developed, reviewed, and delivered and that documentation and solution comply necessary rules, guidelines and standards

- Compiling regular and ad hoc reports for both internal and external management

- Supporting regular meetings for project status and action item, issue, & risk resolution

Project Management Professional providing program management leadership and support to both LS3 customers and internal LS3 Management &amp; Executives.  Responsible for leading and supporting projects and business development initiatives.

Projects of Note:

Department of Defense (DOD): Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)
Served as Lead Metrics Analyst providing support to Defense Information Systems Agency: Net-Enabled Command Capability (NECC) Program by supporting a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP), working with Armed Services Officials and team members to provide analysis of monthly project performance data along with project and program recommendations. Project responsibilities included:

- Developing, and assisting with development of, methods and processes to improve efficiency within the organization to deliver the best value possible.

- Monitoring and reporting project metrics and progress for fourteen Command &amp; Control software development projects using Earned Value Management (EVM) techniques through collaboration with distributed project teams and Project Management Offices (PMO) from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.

- Developing data analysis tools and program reports, along with remediation recommendations for Armed Forces PMOs, Joint Program Management Office (JPMO) and Joint Program Executive Office (JPEO).

- Performing analysis of program funding requirements and planning efforts and lead budget exhibit development.

- Managing the program’s Cost Control Plan through leadership of Metrics Analysis Working Group.

- Supporting acquisition, risk management, and cost management working groups in various ad hoc requests.

- Assiting the Project Control Working Group, and Working Groups, as needed.

- Creating and maintaining updates to OMB Exhibit 300s

- Developing and presenting briefing materials for program, agency, and department executives.

Lead Metrics Analyst, PMP

Perot Systems Government Services

PMO Analyst, PMP certified, serving in the company’s Government Services Consulting sector focusing on projects involving project management, business process improvement, and IT portfolio management.  Projects have included:

Department of Education – Federal Student Aid (FSA) – Serving as a PMO member on the Virtual Data Center Program and served as the Lead Project Controller for the Integrated Partner Management (IPM), Enterprise Access  Management (EAM), and Education Data Exchange Network (EDEN) projects directed by FSA Chief Information Officer (CIO). In this position I:

-   Routinely interface with FSA Contracting Officer (CO), Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR), and various other FSA members and subcontractors, including FSA business owners.

-   Responsible for implementing cost controls for existing contracts valued in excess of $35 million per year and for new projects generated through FSA’s Service Request Management process.

-   Responsible for gathering requirements to develop cost proposals and Statements of Work (SOWs) for FSA Service Requests and formal Agency Request(s) for Quote (RFQs).

-   Led business development effort in concert with technical teams, PMO, Contracting  Office, and FSA to establish a new Citrix Environment for FSA valued at approximately $200K for initial phase.

-   Served as lead project controller managing project finances, valued in excess of $17 million, including subcontractor invoice payment, budgeting, forecasting, purchase order setup and modification, and project reporting.

-   Prepared and delivered monthly Earned Value Management (EVM) reports, using Micro-Frame Program Manager (MPM) software solution, along with comment responses.

-   Prepare briefing materials and other ad hoc reports as necessary for various levels of management.

-   Supported Finance and Contracts Departments, PMO, and the client, to resolve  financial and contractual issues.

Senior Project Management Office (PMO) Analyst, PMP

Grant Thornton

Senior Consultant, PMP certified, served in the Global Public Sector Consulting group on geospatial projects involving project management, business process improvement, capital planning and investment control, and grants and contracts.  Projects included:   

Department of the Interior - US Geological Survey (DOI-USGS): Served as a PMO and work group member on the Department's Geospatial Line of Business Program. In this position I:
-   Led a team of eight people on a geospatial market research project for internal  account team support and business development.

-   Routinely interfaced with DOI-USGS Contracting Office and various levels of senior management with other member agencies.

-   Peformed research, analysis, and facilitated workshops to establish governmentwide enterprise license agreements.

-   Performed requirements analysis and development in support of Common Services Work Group efforts to plan and develop a geospatial software solutions repository.

-   Developed process maps to define roles and responbilities relating to the  issuance of standardized grant and contract language for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

-   Supported the Joint Business Case Work Group efforts to revise FY09 Exhibit 300, develop the FY10 Exhibit 300, and deliver quarterly Earned Value Management (EVM) reports for the Department's Geospatial Line of Business Program.

-   Supported development of  deliverables including Program Management Plan,  Master Project Schedule, and others.

-   Managed master project schedule and individual work schedules and work plan updates.

-   Prepared briefings and outreach materials for the DOI-USGS Managing Partner Team, Work Group Leads, and Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Coordination Group, and various geospatial user conferences.

Senior Project Management Consultant, PMP

BearingPoint

Projects have included:
      
National Science Foundation – In this position I:
-   Served as lead project controller responsible for invoices for multiple monthly client projects, ranging in value from $1 to $1.5 million per month.

-   Led pricing portion of 5 year project re-compete worth over $50 million.

-   Led project status reviews with cost account managers (CAMs) and senior management.

-   Regularly forecasted budget for project ranging from 3 to 50 employees and subcontractors.

-   Directly trained and managed junior associates in client invoicing, preparation and analysis of Estimate to Complete’s (ETC’s), working papers, and other engagement control activities.

-   Prepared performance reviews for junior associates.

United States Census Bureau – Supported ISSRO Branch.  In this position I:
-   Served as Earned Value Management (EVM) lead monitoring eight projects under Census Bureau control.

-   Provided support to the Decennial Information Technology Review Oversight Board (ITROB) on critical matters relating to the IT components of the Decennial 2010 Census.

-   Supported development of Select, Control, and Evaluate (SCE) phases of the Census Bureau’s IT Investment Management Oversight process.

National Oceanic &amp; Atmospheric Administration –Supported the NOAA Grants Online software development engagement.  In this position I:
-   Developed and maintained multiple project schedules using Primavera TeamPlay.

-   Prepared monthly EVM reports, including analysis, activity status, cost and schedule analysis, and variance reporting.

-   Developed work breakdown structures,project schedules, and rebaselined schedules.

-   Prepared and analyzed audit information for eight engagements for internal North American Contract Audit.

-   Maintained deliverables and other documentation in online project management tool.

-   Engagement SW-CMM lead responsible for ensuring process compliance at CMM Level 3.

Project Management Consultant, PMP

Naval Surface Warfare Center - Indian Head Division

Manpower Project Manager in Corporate Operations Department.  In this position I :
-   Monitored and reported bi-weekly labor workload and financial information using Microsoft Access and Excel.

-   Converted Quality Assurance inventory database from dBase3 to Microsoft Access.

-   Applied Six Sigma Green Belt training, in a team setting, to Contract Administration process.

-   Prepared presentations for senior level department and base management.

-   Successfully completed Business Process Reengineering, Benchmarking, and Lean Manufacturing training.

-   Participated as a member of Balanced Scorecard Working Group established to develop metrics to drive base-wide action.

Manpower Program / Project Manager

Seasoned consultant / problem solver / delivery expert seeking to make the world a better place

Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), trained in PMI, Agile, Six Sigma, Lean, and Business Process Reengineering methodologies. Experience includes over 6 years at "Big 4" and Financial Services firms, involving program and project management for software/systems development, infrastructure management, and mergers & acquisitions (M&A) projects. Possess strong program and project management skills with a focus on metrics analysis and program control for IT and Business programs.

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The Battle

Mike Cardona

Jeremy Brown, PMP, POPM, SA

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