Fastly

Staff Program Manager | Security Products & Platform Engineering

▪️ Spearhead the end-to-end launch of Security and Observability products and features, collaborating with cross-functional teams from Product Management, Engineering, Design, Marketing, Data Governance, Security, Docs, Pricing & Packaging, and Legal to ensure seamless execution
▪️ Track progress towards established OKRs through regular check-ins, fostering a culture of accountability and driving achievement of strategic objectives
▪️ Coach and mentor cross-functional teams in the development and execution of their product roadmap
▪️ Collaborate with Revenue teams to incorporate the voice of the customer (VOC) into product launches and roadmaps
▪️ Manage multiple portfolios of programs and initiatives through a full program lifecycle of definition through launch for Cloud Economics, Trust Services, Infrastructure Automation, and Release Engineering
▪️ Drive planning, risk management, dependency mapping, and issue resolution
▪️ Deliver risk assessments, plans, and strategies to increase on-time delivery of product and feature launches

Senior Technical Program Manager | Product Operations & Engineering

Michigan Conference of Teamsters Welfare Fund

As Lead Program Manager, I directed key projects across Claims, IT, Member Services, and Account Services, supporting healthcare delivery for 175,000 union members and their dependents. I focused on IT modernization, enhancing operational efficiency, and driving large-scale change management initiatives.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 & 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬:

IT Modernization & Cloud Migration:

Led the successful migration of healthcare data processing to Amazon Web Services (AWS), enhancing scalability and security, while reducing operational costs by $100K annually
Implemented a new claims processing system, reducing processing time by 40% and improving service delivery
Integrated legacy systems with cloud-based platforms, ensuring seamless data transfer and data security

Project & Program Management:
Managed a portfolio of cross-functional projects, delivering them on time and within budget
Established a high-performing Project Management Office (PMO), standardizing processes and increasing productivity by 80%

Change Management & Process Improvement:
Transitioned the organization from paper-based to digital processes, achieving $50K in annual cost savings
Applied Lean Six Sigma methodologies to reduce inefficiencies, resulting in a 30% reduction in manual errors

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:
Collaborated with senior leadership to ensure projects aligned with strategic objectives
Facilitated cross-functional meetings, improving collaboration and project outcomes
Presented project updates to C-suite executives, driving informed decision-making

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management:
Ensured compliance with HIPAA through strict data security measures and regular audits
Developed risk management plans, proactively mitigating project risks

Tools & Technologies:
Project Management: Microsoft Project, Jira, Smartsheet
Cloud Platforms: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Collaboration: Microsoft 365 Suite, MS Teams

Lead Program Manager | Project Management Office (PMO)

Michigan First Credit Union

• Managed project portfolios valued at $150M throughout the entire project life cycle for various cross-functional leadership teams (e.g., Call Center, Compliance, Retail, Lending, Human Resources, Engineering, Marketing)
• Conducted gap analyses to identify areas of opportunity; directed digital transformation program comprised of various process improvement projects; managed several cross-functional teams with upward of 50 personnel
•  Launched the redesign of the online mortgage payment portal resulting in annual cost savings of $20K
o	Implemented document management solution to eliminate paper copies of mortgage documents leading to cost savings of $40K
•  Orchestrated digital transformation of online banking application Bill Payment function of over $200M in transactions and 100K recurring, monthly payments, thereby decreasing onboarding abandonment rate by 90%
•  Facilitated the mobile app development for 179K members which led to $10M cost avoidance in opening additional brick-and-mortar retail branches

Senior Program Manager | Technical Delivery Lead

International Bancard Corporation

In my role as Senior Project Manager at International Bancard Corporation, I played a pivotal role in driving transformative initiatives, leading to enhanced project delivery, revenue growth, and the establishment of the first-ever Project Management Office (PMO).

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩, 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
▪️ Spearheaded the organizational shift to Agile Scrum, providing comprehensive training to the IT team and key stakeholders
▪️ Directed the successful migration from Waterfall to Agile, resulting in an impressive 90% on-time or ahead-of-schedule project completion rate
▪️ Managed the first-ever Android mobile app/tablet solution for the State of Michigan project, utilizing Agile methodologies resulting in lottery purchases for retailers 
▪️ Achieved a revenue milestone of $50M, showcasing expertise in project scope development, timeline management, and effective budget control
▪️ Built and directed the PMO in a startup environment, establishing enterprise project management policies, SOPs, and providing training for 20+ team members
▪️ Coached 10 leaders in Agile principles and implemented a project portfolio scoring model, ensuring accurate and timely deliverables
▪️ Oversaw the successful migration of the Information Technology team from Waterfall to Agile Scrum, resulting in a significant 75% increase in on-time project delivery
▪️ Launched a program with small business funding, securing an average of $100K loan and partnering with a leasing company to expand product offerings by 50%
▪️ Collaborated across functions (e.g., Sales, Marketing) to facilitate strategic planning and lead the go-to-market (GTM) product launch of a SaaS payment solution, yielding an additional revenue of $40M
▪️ Established a vendor management and service delivery function, ensuring contractors and external vendors met delivery deadlines and expectations

Senior Project Manager | Project Management Office (PMO)

MB Financial Bank Mortgage formerly Cole Taylor Mortgage

In my role as a Business Analyst at MB Financial Bank Mortgage (formerly Cole Taylor Mortgage), I was instrumental in planning and executing various process improvement projects across multiple departments, driving notable cost savings and enhancing operational efficiency.

Key Achievements:

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:
▪️ Led end-to-end planning and execution of process improvement projects for multiple teams, including Servicing, Credit, Compliance, Information Technology (IT), and Operations resulting in cost savings of $100K

𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
▪️ Oversaw the successful implementation of an enterprise content management system, catering to 200+ users
▪️ Ensured compliance with local, state, and federal regulations in processing mortgage origination and servicing, highlighting meticulous attention to regulatory requirements

Business Analyst

Health Alliance Plan

As a Business Analyst at Health Alliance Plan, I orchestrated measurable improvements in operational efficiency and member experience.

Key Achievements:

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩:
▪️ Launched and marketed the individual health plan product on the Federally Funded Exchange (Marketplace), resulting in a 25% increase in member enrollment
▪️ Conducted a comprehensive business processes review for the individual mandate healthcare reform project, resulting in a 32% improvement in operational efficiency for the Claims and Coordination of Benefits (COB) teams

𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:
▪️ Restructured the internal request process in the Membership and Billing functions, resulting in a 50% reduction in processing time
▪️ Implemented process optimization strategies through workflow automation in SharePoint leading to a 20% increase in team member productivity

𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
▪️ Identified and documented 200+ Claims and Coordination of Benefits requirements for migration to Facets
▪️ Achieved on-time and on-budget project delivery through 20+ stakeholder engagement interviews to capture current and future state process flows

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

In my role as a Business Analyst at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, I actively contributed to maintaining accreditation standards, improving operational efficiencies, and driving strategic initiatives.

Key Achievements:

𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩:
▪️ Chaired policy and procedures review meetings with senior healthcare leaders, ensuring compliance with URAC and NCQA standards resulting in 100% compliance with regulatory standards
▪️ Facilitated policy, process, and procedure review across five healthcare teams, including Intake Referral Analysis, Case Management, Physician Consultants, Disease Management, and Care Transitions to Home

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐱 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐦𝐚 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
▪️ Increased the productivity of 300+ clinical staff by leveraging Lean Six Sigma DMAIC tools and methodology
▪️ Achieved operational efficiencies by implementing Trizetto CareAdvance, resulting in a reduction of treatment plan errors and improved overall member experience

Atlas Oil Company

As a Process Improvement Consultant at Atlas Oil Company, I spearheaded transformative initiatives, focusing on comprehensive auditing, workshops, and strategic recommendations to enhance efficiency and reduce operating costs.

Key Achievements:

𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬:
▪️ Recommended workflow automation, leading to a significant $500,000 reduction in annual operating costs
▪️ Improved productivity in the Billing department by 20% through the creation of detailed procedures and cross-training of 15 employees
▪️ Partnered with HR, IT, and department managers to re-engineer the onboarding process resulting in a  45% reduction in cycle time

𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:
▪️ Developed and implemented a robust auditing program, covering 15 key business processes across 4 departments
▪️ Spearheaded the measurement and control of process improvements, emphasizing a commitment to data-driven decision-making

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬:
▪️ Facilitated process improvement workshops with 30+ participants, resulting in the implementation of 5 streamlined procedures
▪️ Fostered a collaborative environment to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence

Senior Process Improvement Consultant

ASRC Federal

▪️ Led a team to secure a $10M Department of Defense (DoD) contract for the design and development of a fuel-efficient ground vehicle demonstrator, ensuring adherence to stringent military standards and project deliverables
▪️ Leveraged DMAIC methodology to implement a  knowledge management system for 300 engineers at the National Automotive Center US Army
▪️ Oversaw the request for proposal (RFP) and vendor selection for the development of data mining tools for use by US Army engineers at National Automotive Center

American Red Cross

▪️ Streamlined processes, training, and equipment for the Quality Control team across five testing laboratories (Charlotte, Detroit, Philadelphia, Portland, and St. Louis) for 200+ team members
▪️ Led cross-functional teams to develop and implement quality control measures for biological sample handling, resulting in a 30% increase in project success rate and enhanced safety standards
▪️ Collaborated with laboratory staff and external vendors to implement new equipment and processes, balancing biological safety requirements with operational efficiency
▪️ Oversaw the entire publication lifecycle for safety and procedural documents, ensuring all materials accurately reflected current biological risk management practices and regulatory requirements

Process Improvement Specialist

Great strategy without execution fails. Great execution without strategy delivers the wrong outcomes. I build the bridge between both.

Is your organization struggling with:

▪️Project delays and missed deadlines?
▪️Unrealized benefits?
▪️Disconnected teams working in silos?
▪️Inefficient processes eating into your bottom line?

Imagine instead:

✅90% on-time project delivery
✅Yielding revenue and cost-saving benefits not just work being done on time and within budget
✅Teams that work well together by leveraging their strengths

I transform organizations through strategic communication, right-size processes, and leadership. As a triple-certified project professional (PMP, PgMP, PfMP) with Agile (CSM) and process optimization (CSSBB) credentials, I:

✅Drive $150M+ portfolios with measurable business outcomes
✅Reduce customer onboarding abandonment by 90%
✅Build high-performance PMOs with 85%+ success rates
✅Lead enterprise-wide Agile transformations
✅Develop and mentor top-performing project teams

Core Capabilities:

🎯Technical Program Management
🎯Portfolio Management
🎯PMO Development & Transformation
🎯Business Transformation
🎯Product Operations
🎯Executive-Level Stakeholder Engagement
🎯Team Leadership & Mentorship

To continue the conversation, connect with me here or send an email to ashaki509@gmail.com.

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