Colleen O'Connor, Mba Email & Phone Number

Alexandria, VA, US

Washington DC-Baltimore Area

• Driving the launch of a Curriculum and Catalog Management System (CCMS), leading product discovery, data mapping, and policy development to transition over 1M data objects across 150 academic programs and 2,000 courses.
• Created a robust product backlog of 20+ high-impact features, strategic roadmaps, and a detailed CCMS integration blueprint, effectively translating UMGC’s complex tech stack into a streamlined implementation plan.
• Collaborating with engineering and… Show more
• Collaborating with engineering and cross-functional teams to evaluate data warehouses, informing the creation of a comprehensive course data governance process and structure. Show less

Remote

As Interim Senior Director, I took charge during a sudden leadership gap, launching an innovative value stream pilot and leading an agile team of 6 to develop a curriculum system strategy for UMGC’s Skills First initiative within 4 months.

Washington DC-Baltimore Area

The Future of Higher Ed (FOHE) is a community of 3000+ leaders building the future of postsecondary education and training. Our mission is to accelerate innovation and excellence in higher ed.

Washington DC-Baltimore Area

• Managed $15M+ global portfolio of online education programs, total of 200+ high impact projects, and a $3M annual budget, saving $75K on curriculum development costs each year by analyzing quarterly fiscal forecasts.
• Increased team efficiency by 80% by leading team data strategy, including proactively creating dashboards and 2 innovative company-wide analysis tools, enhancing managerial accounting process.
• … Show more Managed $15M+ global portfolio of online education programs, total of 200+ high impact projects, and a $3M annual budget, saving $75K on curriculum development costs each year by analyzing quarterly fiscal.
• Drove strategy and roadmapping for 5 global products, tracking progress against customer satisfaction, financials, and action plans.
• Oversaw cross-group coordination on 8-10 simultaneous projects quarterly, while managing conflict and implementation in a fast-paced environment. Show less

Washington DC-Baltimore Area

• Worked collaboratively to launch academic products, monitor risk, manage budgets, escalations, and communications, as well as drive strategic plans and enhancements across 15 online degree programs, while proactively.
• Led 10 complex, medium-to-large scale projects by developing charters, project plans, executing pilot and roll-out milestones, managing meetings and consistent communications, and facilitating working groups to create.
• Led 10 complex, medium-to-large scale projects by developing charters, project plans, executing pilot and roll-out milestones, managing meetings and consistent communications, and facilitating working groups to create.
• Increased pipeline forecasting accuracy by 93% by updating data infrastructure and managing a team to implement backend systems changes.
• Mentored 10+ managers on day-to-day operations, and supported senior leadership in evaluating and resolving partner network challenges in a constantly evolving environment. Show less

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

• Led global team (8 people) to manage 12 study abroad programs, 6 key external stakeholders, and 250+ customers annually, creating, managing, and forecasting multiple budgets totaling $2M each year, successfully.
• Received Hero Award (pool of 100+ staff) for improving customer experience by 40% by creating… Show more Led global team (8 people) to manage 12 study abroad programs, 6 key external stakeholders, and 250+ customers.
• Received Hero Award (pool of 100+ staff) for improving customer experience by 40% by creating efficiencies in strategic planning and program processes, and partnering with human resources and delivery leaders on.
• Won two Request for Proposals (RFP) bids, contributing $450K to company annual revenue.
• Hired 35 employees and designed engaging, personalized trainings for 12 full-time staff and short-term contractors. Developed 12 employees in 3 years, several advancing to positions in the company.
• Led a team to design a DEI training to equip teachers with an understanding of American culture and student demographics. The training expanded into a company-wide resource and was introduced at international.

China

Worked with crew to film a documentary on matriarchal culture in northern Yunnan Province and led expeditions to China.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Expertly monitored legislation, policy, and media developments impacting broadcast regions, aligning with organizational goals. Crafted informative memos and reports, including submissions to Congress, enhancing transparency and stakeholder communication. Prepared strategic meetings with government representatives, media, NGOs, and foreign policy experts.

Beijing, China

• Executed operations management cycle with $1M annual budget on short deadlines, including strategizing, designing, and implementing end-to-end customer experiences, driving the business cycle, as well as the pricing.
• Increased revenue by over $90,000 by developing new and existing relationships with partner schools and vendors.
• … Show more Executed operations management cycle with $1M annual budget on short deadlines, including strategizing, designing, and implementing end-to-end customer experiences, driving the business cycle, as well as.
• Served as bilingual liaison between international institutions, local partners, and WildChina Travel.
• Mentored interns by guiding database work and company-wide projects, providing timely feedback and performance reviews.
• Coordinated teambuilding programs and represented company at outreach events and conferences. Show less

Beijing, China

• Collaborated across departments and with trip experts to design 20-30 innovative itineraries through research and survey trips for Leisure Tours. Developed new partnerships with external stakeholders (vendors, hotels.
• Generated all product-related English content for website, proposal descriptions, and blog.
• Represented WildChina Travel at international conferences, site visits, and events.

Harbin & Yunnan, China

Conducted anthropological research and filmed National Geographic documentary on matriarchal society in southwestern China. Authored a Mandarin-language literature review, studied cultural heritage management, and conserved religious relics through repainting shamanistic tablets.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba

UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School Coursework in international business, leadership, government affairs, entrepreneurship, statistics.

Bachelor Of Philosophy, Chinese Language And Literature, Summa Cum Laude

Activities and Societies: Honors College, Brackenridge Fellowship Research Community, Cross-Cultural and Leadership Development, Residence.

Chinese Language

Summer Intensive Language Courses at the Sunderland Language Center Chinese School

Graduate School Of Ethnology

Yunnan Nationalities University was my Fulbright affiliation institution. I was a part-time student taking graduate courses in.

Chinese Language And Anthropology

The Fulbright Critical Language Enhancement Award funded for my studies in the CET Language Intensive Study Abroad Program in Harbin.

Chinese Language And Literature

Language Intensive Study Abroad Program through CET C.V. Starr Study Abroad Program in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China