Cathy Tierney Email & Phone Number

Canada

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

CoreAVI architects safety critical graphics and compute solutions supporting safe autonomy, machine vision, AI and visualization applications in the automotive, unmanned vehicle and industrial IoT markets, as well as commercial and military avionics systems. We are people innovating a safe and secure autonomous world. Come learn more at www.coreavi.com.

Kitchener, Canada Area

A motivated professional with leadership proficiency and extensive senior management experience in Software Quality Assurance & Product Validation.Proficient in high-level Quality Assurance consulting/testing. Assisted young startups & established companies to implement, audit, and improve QualityAssurance testing processes.• Core Process Development & Re-Engineering• Streamline Processes • Promote Best Practices• Team Management• Continuous Improvement • Create High-Functioning Teams • People Management - Develop People to be Leaders

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Reporting to the VP of Global Quality. while managing Software QA in the Engineering division, was asked to take on a 2nd Quality dept. requiring restructuring and significant efficiency improvements in an ISO 9001 quality standards environment. • Oversaw the verification and validation of the system-level performance of embedded systems (FW/HW) as defined by product specifications and user expectations, including 3rd party devices for integration with Christie products.• Improved efficiency of the Design Verification & Validation team by assessing current procedures, identifying gaps, incorporating new practices and documenting all processes. This ultimately resulted in improved overall quality,reduced test cycles and faster release times.• Streamlined processes and testing activities between Engineering Software QA and Validation test groups (locally & remotely - Shenzhen, China). Aligned testing resources to tasks and shared proven testing tools, best practices and strategies between groups. This eliminated duplicate testing efforts, increased cooperation and communication across the traditional silos; averaged a 22% increase in project testing throughput year over year.• Implemented a defect categorization workflow linked to the electronic Defect Tracking tool to evaluate the product/software development process.• Regularly analyzed results to identify process gaps. Documented and communicated findings to ELT and key stakeholders and made appropriate process improvements according to the findings.• Developed trusted relationships with cross-functional stakeholders to drive quality releases. • Supported product field-issue investigations. • Participated in Release Readiness Review meetings. Presented testing status, test results analysis and risk assessment for Go/No Go decisions to senior management and key stakeholders. • Facilitated product demonstrations and group discussions on risk mitigation strategies before release to customer.

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Reporting to the VP of Engineering oversaw all aspects of the Quality Assurance Department to release the highest quality software product in a structured, traceable and repeatable manner. (Concurrently held position of Sr. Manager, Global Quality - Design V&V). • Managed and led multiple, concurrent Quality test groups, including 25+Manual and Automation specialists. Planned, developed and coordinated product testing release activities with Engineering and support teams in both Agile/Scrum and Waterfall development environments. Accountable for QA budget and test lab equipment expenditures.• Collaborated with stakeholders at every level to develop and execute QA strategies that reduced testing redundancy and risks, while meeting expected requirements. Achieved a 33% efficiency gain across multiple projects.• Participating member of the Value Stream Mapping team for ‘Engineering New Product Development’. In collaboration with key organizational cross-functional team members, participated in documenting the Current State and the creation of the Future State workflow. Team activities resulted in identifying waste activities and implemented process and efficiency improvements for faster time to market• Hired, trained and oversaw QA staff and Team Leads, provided direction, mentorship and coaching to increase performance and reduce conflicts and turnover. Actively promoted leadership & competency training for all team members.• Active member of the Engineering Leadership Team for 10+ years. Collaborated weekly with VP and five Engineering Directors to set direction and expectations for the Engineering division as a whole. Communicated status of all project testing efforts, presented quality metrics, identified potential risk issues and roadblocks. • Participated in talent management, annual business planning, including resource & budget planning to support QA objectives and provide a dynamic and challenging work environment.

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Reporting to the VP of Engineering, mandated to re-organize all QA test groups under one, autonomous umbrella. Concurrently managed 6 diverse engineering SQA teams. Co-ordinated testing activities, aligned resources and introduced common processes and practices across the Engineering test groups to unify team objectives and priorities, promoting a culture of quality and improved efficiency and effectiveness for all test teams.Extensive experience in the development and execution of test plans, strategies & schedules. Trained team members on best practices for the development and execution of test cases. • Implemented standard procedures for the analysis, documentation & communication of testing results including defect analysis trending metrics.• Implemented a Defect Management process including the identification, tracking and triaging of issues using defect management tools. Documented Defect Management Guide. Trained team members to ensure a common process and practice.• Spearheaded the creation of a Test Automation team within the Cinema Group; transitioned 45% of the manual test cases to automated scripts for our flagship product.• Led the selection & implementation of a corporate Application Lifecycle Management solution (Perforce Helix ALM). Accountable for the development and maintenance of the Requirements Management, Test Case Management & Defect Tracking systems for over 300 users for all functional groups across engineering (locally and remotely).• Implemented various continuous improvements, addressing staff concerns to ensure changes were successfully adopted. Ex: reduced testing time and improved time to market by streamlining testing strategies: Risk-Based, Pairwise, 80/20 Pareto, Exploratory and Scenario-based testing methodologies.

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Selected to implement and manage in-depth testing of new products under development along with sustaining and product enhancement releases for a newly implemented Cinema engineering business unit. • Built and grew an effective QA team from the ground up. Oversaw the creation and execution of detailed test plans for digital Cinema projectors and related software based on business requirements and design documentation; issue tracking and investigation; daily regression testing and results analysis and reporting; regular test lab & hardware setup and configuration. Consistently achieved the target goal of a 95% pass rate for all major releases.

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Grew a highly successful testing team from 1 tester to 5, within the Visual Environment Business Unit providing robust, quality solutions that supported clients’ performance objectives. • Led testing road-map planning, project management and organized daily test of multiple, concurrent projects. Interfaced directly with the development teams through regular meetings and discussions to determine project test requirements; developed appropriate test strategies, test plans and test cases based on key information collected.• Test team recognized by the VP of Global Quality for outstanding testing practices for flagship product release.

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Provided QA testing of OpenGL 2D/3D device drivers for embedded systems - including DO-178B certifiable safety-critical software, designed for deployment in aerospace and defense systems, as well as automotive and consumer devices. Increased testing capabilities for this growing, fast-paced embedded software development company. Took the team size from 2 to 6 testers; overseeing teams for two separate software engineering locations. Co-ordinated and managed QA resources to successfully handle multiple concurrent testing assignments. • Defined and implemented QA standards and practices; documented and regularly updated QA procedures. Created formal, documented testing procedures and common documentation templates to standardize projects under test.• Applied quality engineering principals during each phase of development. Participated in the execution of all manual testing activities: Requirements Analysis; Test Plan Creation; Test Case Creation and Execution, Defect Logging; Defect Fix Re-verification; Defect Monitoring/Analysis and Status Reporting.

St Catharines, Ontario, Canada

Resonsible for Technical Sales, Technical Support and Technical Training to secondary & post-secondary educators for 250+ interactive, scientific, educational software products.Product Management• Reviewed, evaluated and selected new products for distribution • Provided testing and technical feedback to developers on Beta products, & version enhancements for both Mac and Win O/S• Managed and resolved inquiries from resellers and distributorsQuality• Ensured new and existing software products were reliable, defect free, and functioning according to user requirements and documentation• Verified web pages for accuracy of data and ensured content met standards for content display and functionality Customer Service• Offered detailed working knowledge and technical support for 250+interactive, scientific, educational software products.• Provided efficient customer service to all clients, handling daily incoming customer inquiries in a timely, professional and courteous manner and liaised with other internal departments •Maintained and updated customer database, trouble records and resolution informationSales & Marketing• Prepared and implemented annual marketing plan, including direct mail marketing, catalogue distribution and trade show participation• Developed & delivered product presentations and technical training workshops for clients, resellers and staff• Provided content for annual catalogues• Correlated product-line to numerous Provincial and State science curricula• Researched and responded to RFPs & RFQs for Provincial and State Departments of EducationTrade Show/Conference Management• Managed all facets of coordinating corporate participation at regional and national conferences, demonstrated products and determined leads. Coordinated customer follow-up strategies Management/Administration• Recruited, trained and managed customer service and sales representatives• Oversaw all administrative functions and customer service duties