Gretchen is a versatile Program Portfolio Manager & Senior Operations Manger who streamlines operations, improves cost-efficiency, and optimizes client servicing.
A curious and inquisitive leader, Gretchen excels as both an Operations and Project Manager. In both roles, she leverages her ability to quickly identify untapped opportunities to analyze and transform workflows, processes, and procedures to foster collaboration, streamline operations, and increase efficiency.
She has earned praise from senior management and contemporaries for her smart team leadership, calm demeanor under pressure, commitment to accountability, and practical approach to problem-solving, all of which have allowed her to deliver transformative results across complex projects and initiatives.
Professional Summary
Strategic and agile Program Portfolio Manager & Senior Operations Manager with a sharp focus and fierce passion for driving revenue and leading top-flight teams to fuel record-breaking growth in matrixed organizations. Fearless operations leader skilled at building and motivating teams to achieve business targets, deliver results, and rise to the top in performance. Driven professional with an entrepreneurial mindset and prolific success at achieving profitability by streamlining procedures, yielding cost savings, and meeting tight deadlines. Master collaborator, cultivating relationships across the organization with clients, cross-functional teams, and leadership to communicate strategic goals and power performance.
Areas of Expertise
Management & Leadership
Program Management
Strategic Planning
Change Management
Team Oversight
Project Management
Customer Service Excellence
Key Account Management
Continuous Improvement
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Program Launches
Product Launches
Invoicing
Reporting & Data Visualization
Performance Management
KPI Development & Compliance
Customer Retention
Employee Retention
Energy Efficiency
Training & Coaching
Problem-Solving
Root Cause Analysis
Contract Compliance
Corporate Communications
Program Portfolio Manager
— CLEAResult Consulting
March 2023 – present
CLEAResult changes the way people use energy with its focus on energy efficiency, decarbonization, and energy transition strategies. We work with utilities, businesses, and consumers to improve the energy experience.
Manage the largest revenue portfolio in the West region, overseeing statewide energy efficiency programs in California with total contract value exceeding $85M
Achieved over 200% revenue growth in first year by leading a high-performing team collaborating with distributor partners to consistently exceed program goals
Increased client satisfaction scores (CSAT) to 4.9/5 by driving excellence in service delivery, consistently exceeding expectations through efficient operations, and program management
Improved employee engagement scores by 21.4% by fostering a culture of collaboration, providing ongoing development opportunities, and ensuring team alignment with the company’s strategic goals
Lead cross-functional teams to streamline operations, delivering operational efficiencies across program workflows, resulting in on-time delivery of incentives and client billing
Direct program processes to ensure compliance with contract requirements
Establish and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) for financial, operational, and program performance, ensuring alignment with both company goals and client expectations
Senior Operations Manager
— CLEAResult Consulting
February 2021 – March 2023
Spearhead the vision and strategy of the West Region Operations team to devise and execute greening and rebate programs serving clients across the western United States for the largest energy efficiency company in North America.
Drive performance excellence, overseeing 100+ clients and 10+ key large client groups including major utility players
Foster a culture of loyalty, building, directing, and retaining a high-performing rockstar team; sustained nearly 100% of all employees hired by investing in ongoing development, including employees assuming positions with greatly increased authority across high-level company teams
Lead business efficiency and effectiveness, overseeing processing, invoicing, reporting, and process improvement
Set forth the strategy and plan for a new statewide HVAC program, undergoing a launch to drive $7M in first three quarters
Inherited a critical project behind schedule and took charge to get it back on track and producing revenue
Steer the workflows of mission-critical initiatives, innovating workarounds for IT gaps and weaknesses, enabling the company to process timely incentive payments, boosting partner satisfaction, and collecting $12M in client billing
Achieve contract compliance year-over-year by closely scrutinizing terms and ensuring full operations adherence
Fulfill proposal terms, maintaining knowledge and familiarity of all terms and conditions of contract deliverables and delivering on promises outlined
Shepherd clients through complex development of technological systems including configuration review and user testing of both internal and the client’s system; expedited client payment time to yield immediate revenue results
Set a standard for excellence, acting as the sole operations staff on the statewide HVAC program for over a year
Thrive in a fast-paced, heavy-volume matrix environment, shifting course to meet ever-changing needs
Swiftly advanced technical knowledge, leading a technical deep-dive into workpaper savings, an essential element of program success; curated a custom qualified product list (QPL) and utilized workpapers to correctly calculate energy savings
Create and maintain a Southern California Operations scorecard to track and plan goals and performance, measuring key indicators against financial, operational, and program KPIs
Individually processed 37K rebate submissions, fueling $8M in rebates for utility customers
Perform root cause analysis to improve standard operating procedures
Played a key role in the 2021 customer satisfaction (CSAT) score of 4.5/5 for a key account
Exceeded company performance review standards for nearly 10 years
Program Manager
— CLEAResult Consulting
October 2015 – February 2021
Presided over 2 client programs, driving $4M+ in annual projected revenue, directing cross-functional teams of 30+ establishing and maintaining a workplace culture defined by efficiency and accountability.
Generated $11M+ in customer and contractor incentives and expanded project revenue by 21% in 2017
Prepared detailed revenue, incentive, and energy savings forecasts, achieving accuracy within 0.7% on 2017 quarterly forecasts
Reviewed and scrutinized KPIs and historical program data to track program performance, identify areas for cost-effective improvements, and adjust team focus to produce high-priority project deliverables
Leverage strategic approach and diligent work ethic to coordinate key client and contract management, forecasting, invoicing, marketing, and reporting activities
Analyzed key financial and operational processes to decrease T&M costs by $450K+ monthly over a 2-year period without sacrificing quality or stakeholder satisfaction levels
Overhauled reporting and invoicing processes to address frequent operational pain points, analyzing data on operational hurdles and executing a corrective plan to achieve a full year with zero internal or client complaints
Guided the marketing team in crafting results-driven, consistent messaging and visual branding, including e-newsletters, client presentations, and case studies; tracked performance to inform future marketing strategies and initiatives
Drafted and led 20+ client proposals to ensure cost-effectiveness; tracked trends to drive policy changes and risk planning
Held accountability over Los Angeles (LA) office management, stewarding assets (office equipment, server, computers) with zero losses and entrusted as the sole LA staffer with server access; coordinated minor equipment repairs with maintenance
Accolades
Promoted into role specifically created to maximize operational impact, earning praise from senior leadership for proven leadership, client management, effective communication, and strategic business insights
2018 Inspire Award Winner for ‘Ideals in Motion’ team award. With only eight semi-annual winners, this award was designed to recognize teams that strive to embrace CLEAResult's Culture Code and bring company ideals to life. Winners are distinguished by striving for excellence, outstanding achievements and relentless work ethic.
Operations Supervisor
— CLEAResult Consulting
January 2015 – October 2015
Built and led a top-performing team of 4 and collaborated cross-functionally to drive mission-critical rebate initiatives.
Orchestrated marketing efforts including resource allocation to support 650+ customers and 80+ contractors
Optimized critical KPI dashboards, streamlining and automating a 42-page document that took 1 FTE to maintain into a concise, 4-page dashboard that was generated in under two hours weekly
Organized, promoted, and executed the “Rooftop of Champions” competition that generated $2.9M+ in incentives paid, saved 4.1M+ kWh, and boosted long-term contractor program performance
Improved communications and troubleshooting efforts between technical and non-technical stakeholders as the chief conduit between contractors, technicians, clients, and customers
SENIOR PROJECT COORDINATOR
— CLEAResult Consulting
October 2012 – January 2015
Processed $3M in rebates/incentives (14K+ individual rebate packets) with 100% accuracy for the Southern California HVAC Optimization program, using expert attention-to-detail and organization skills to maintain continuous alignment of program scope with strategic business objectives.
Delivered best-in-class, critical support to 58 contractors, 220 technicians, 225 customers, and an internal team of 40
Defined and reengineered the strategic incentive procurement plan, decreasing customer rebate issuance time from 63 to 4 days by automating, systematizing, and streamlining the documentation process while maintaining 100% accuracy
Organized and executed trade events for 100+ senior decision-makers from 45+ HVAC contractors to engage key accounts, evangelize the program, and share the value-added proposition
General Manager/ Production Manager
— Vanport Warehousing
July 2005 – October 2012
Vanport Warehousing, Inc. is an independently owned and operated third-party warehousing, distribution and manufacturing company.
Led daily operations, inventory management, quality improvement, safety, human resources, scheduling, and maintenance for full-service paper manufacturing and distribution company with a staff of 50.
Expertly monitored 100K-unit inventory, maintaining a 99.98% inventory accuracy rate over 7 years
Reduced office expenditures by 15% by identifying cost-saving controls and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Created the master schedule, analyzing production specs, establishing sequencing, and determining lead times to meet strict shipping dates; generated sales forecasting and production requirements for up to 20 concurrent orders
Initiated and led the website redesign to amplify the user experience, enhance readability, and raise brand awareness
Pitched and implemented company's first digital marketing plan, launching accounts on social media platforms to maximize online presence, and created stationery system, brochures, posters, flyers and marketing kits
Elevated communication standards company-wide, implementing open-door policies and 1:1 meetings to boost morale
Served as company Safety Coordinator, conducting audits of Cal/OSHA safety processes, identifying critical gaps in existing protocol and designing and implementing new corrective strategies
Researched, authored and implemented employee handbook, documenting all standard operating procedures
Honed problem-solving skills by developing workflow improvements to increase efficiency following staff reductions
Served as point of contact for clients and vendors, with responsibilities including troubleshooting, explaining delays, proposing alternatives and fine-tuning processes to suit complex requirements
Developed strong legal and problem-solving skills while acting as point person in all contract negotiations between vendors and landlord, as well as on workers compensation claims and OSHA regulations
Accolades
Recruited to manage California location based on superior performance as company's Inventory Controller in 2001.
PROJECT COORDINATOR
— Susan G. Komen for the Cure
December 2004 – July 2005
Seattle, WA
Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Their Race for the Cure is the world's largest fundraising event for breast cancer.
Played key role in planning, direction and implementation of the Puget Sound Komen Race for the Cure, gaining strong leadership capabilities and organizational skills while working effectively with a small team.
Demonstrated strong marketing skills while managing all web content updates, including e-marketing blasts, social media, and Race website, and supervising production of awards, signs, T-Shirts and event posters
Effectively trained, managed and coordinated workflow of all Race volunteers, strengthening interpersonal capabilities and ensuring effective execution of tasks before, during and after event
Processed donations, managed vendor payments and created sponsor invoices, showcasing accounting skills
Wrote and presented briefings to Race Chair and Affiliate Executive Director in order to ensure event preparations were consistent with the affiliate's goals and objectives
Developed writing skills by preparing content and layout for monthly newsletter and editing grant applications
Assisted the Development Director in facilitating event setup logistics, including securing parking, placing advertisements, securing permits from local government and fostering relationships with sponsors
Responsible for coordinating all sources of race revenue and programs including sponsorship, pledge program, teams program and registration
Accolades
Promoted from intern to full-time employee after exhibiting strong leadership and post-event skills.
CURRICULUM VITAE
EDUCATION
2005
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Comparative Literature
University of Washington
Certifications
Project Management Institute (PMI), Project Management Professional (PMP)
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), i-to-i TEFL at Loyola Marymount University
Professional Development
Edward Tufte's course Presenting Data and Information
Comprehensive coursework in Project Management, Team Leadership, Business Communications, Cinema Studies, Visual Communications Design, and French and Spanish languages
Continuing education courses in Operational Excellence Foundations, Scrum, Business Analysis Foundations, Culture of Kaizen, PowerPoint Presentations, Making Meetings More Effective, and Drupal 9 Essentials
Squarespace Circle member (website designers and creative entrepreneurs)