Heather Gardner Email & Phone Number

Detroit, Mi, Us

Greater Detroit Area

We believe people matter, and to make a difference in their lives, we are committed to maximizing value, opportunities and outcomes for all stakeholders.Our Mission is to be the preferred business advisory services provider and investment solution within our markets in a manner that makes a positive impact in our community.What We DoTurnaround | Restructure | Growth Management | Succession | Transition

A business advisory company providing turnaround and management services to charter schools. Our philosophical approach is to streamline operations to be efficient, so the educational team can focus on what is important - educating the students. The EAS Schools team has systematized operations management, providing schools with more money to put back into its educational programming. Our team works with integrity and maintains high quality relationships with the board, school administration… Show more A business advisory company providing turnaround and management services to charter schools. Our philosophical approach is to streamline operations to be efficient, so the educational team can focus on what is important - educating the students. The EAS Schools team has systematized operations management, providing schools with more money to put back into its educational programming. Our team works with integrity and maintains high quality relationships with the board, school administration, the authorizer, state and other compliance agencies. Show less

Greater Detroit Area

What happens when you’re feeling stuck, knowing there are untapped possibilities in you or your team? 21st Vision executive coaching and leadership programs are here to help you work through it all so you can become more satisfied and passionate in everything you do. This is where work and life come together, increasing everything from productivity to peace of mind.Call us now to see how we can help you! (248) 637-3000

Greater Detroit Area

I am responsible for providing proactive strategies which result in operational support sufficient to meet or exceed the established strategic objectives and assuring exceptional operational support to the educational leaders and faculty in our schools.Responsibilities include:• Modeling the “Cornerstone Way”• Providing strategic leadership, in partnership with the CEO and the Board, to create the vision for the organization, developing the strategic plan to achieve the vision… Show more I am responsible for providing proactive strategies which result in operational support sufficient to meet or exceed the established strategic objectives and assuring exceptional operational support to the educational leaders and faculty in our schools.Responsibilities include:• Modeling the “Cornerstone Way”• Providing strategic leadership, in partnership with the CEO and the Board, to create the vision for the organization, developing the strategic plan to achieve the vision, and drive the execution of the Board’s policies• Assuring implementation of the Board’s strategic objectives • Assuring implementation of continuous improvement projects • Assisting in the development and implementation of resource allocation plans • Overseeing the work of operations team members and/or external service providers• Monitoring efficiencies and effectiveness of Cornerstone Charter School operations and providing recommendations on operational matters• Assuring compliance of assigned areas of responsibility with related regulatory requirements, Cornerstone Charter Schools goals and objectives, administrative guidelines, board policy, and the directives of the CEO• Managing documentation of operational processes• Monitoring of Kalmus ratio for operations• Serving as the designee for the CEO in his or her absence Show less

Charged with providing strategic direction and coaching in the areas of New School Development and Quality School Initiatives. • New School Development:o Optimized network of founding charter school groups in Michigan by developing talent acquisition program to support high quality school development and redesigned curriculum to encompass quality standards and business proficiency. o Recruitment of high performing national model programs to create schools within Michigan and… Show more Charged with providing strategic direction and coaching in the areas of New School Development and Quality School Initiatives. • New School Development:o Optimized network of founding charter school groups in Michigan by developing talent acquisition program to support high quality school development and redesigned curriculum to encompass quality standards and business proficiency. o Recruitment of high performing national model programs to create schools within Michigan and cultivating strategic partnerships among business, foundation, and education communities to raise awareness and funds. o Redesign and launch of training workshops for new school operators focused on a wide range of operational and programmatic areas such as financial management, business development, and school culture and talent acquisition. o Development of initiatives to support facility identification and financing for charter schools. • Quality Initiativeso Facilitate revised membership type and process for businesses wishing to do business with Michigan charter schools including a quality check of their value proposition to our members. o Strategic support and direction to federal teacher incentive fund grant including focus on developing of a sustainability plan and improved talent acquisition for the 20 schools participating in the grant. o Strategic support and direction to meet project team goals necessary to present a quality conference to our member schools.o Development of a quality and sustainable performance and development curriculum for our members. These trainings are relevant to challenges charter schools are facing. Show less

Hired as a consultant to develop and deliver the following programs:Recruitment and SelectionNew School Development utilizing MDE's planning grantRedesign of the websiteUpdate of their Board Policy programFundraising program - Cards that CountSchool Dissolution planCo-op for Healthcare InsuranceCo-op for Property and Casualty InsuranceContinuous Improvement/Cost Reduction programs

Precision machine company that supplies world class metallic parts and services to wide array of automotive and industrial customers. Tier 1 supplier with annual revenues of $20M and workforce of 50 team members.Accountable for all company operations including financial management, budgeting, strategic planning, and staffing. Designed and executed marketing plans and generated operational improvements by promoting organizational principals and process enhancements. Directed leadership… Show more Precision machine company that supplies world class metallic parts and services to wide array of automotive and industrial customers. Tier 1 supplier with annual revenues of $20M and workforce of 50 team members.Accountable for all company operations including financial management, budgeting, strategic planning, and staffing. Designed and executed marketing plans and generated operational improvements by promoting organizational principals and process enhancements. Directed leadership team of 6 professionals and controlled annual operating budget of $20M.• Maximized company’s position in competitive marketplace by directing strategic planning efforts to optimize long-range return-on-investment and utilizing knowledge of social, economic, and political climates to develop / modify corporate priorities.• Championed positive image and reputation for company by effectively interfacing / collaborating with business, political, and social leaders and influential groups; contributing significantly to variety of public interest activities.• Negotiated favorable lines of credit and equipment financing with new lender at height of credit crisis.• Enhanced company’s bottom line by negotiating $15M customer contract to include the acquisition of product, equipment, and material.• Facilitated wind-down of company after largest customer resourced their product by orchestrating payment of all secured and unsecured creditors as well as retention bonuses for team members. Show less

Private management services company supporting $100M Horizon family of companies that specializes in automotive parts manufacturing, real estate development, leasing and management, clothing retail, and business air transportation with 500 team members.Directed all company operations including business development / downsizing, budgets, staffing, and financial forecasting / management. Guided long-range strategic planning and promoted company among external partners. Oversaw annual… Show more Private management services company supporting $100M Horizon family of companies that specializes in automotive parts manufacturing, real estate development, leasing and management, clothing retail, and business air transportation with 500 team members.Directed all company operations including business development / downsizing, budgets, staffing, and financial forecasting / management. Guided long-range strategic planning and promoted company among external partners. Oversaw annual operating budget of $100M and supervised 8 direct reports.• Achieved savings of $5M beyond negotiated vendor contracts by realigning company’s priorities, resource allocation, and long range planning.• Spearheaded annual savings of $900K for company by renegotiating working capital lines of $12M and refinancing $20M worth of equipment.• Generated $11M in revenue by successfully negotiating sale of 4 machining divisions of the company. Also facilitated orderly liquidation of HTG-Wyandotte, LLC, another cold forming company subsidiary.• Optimized company’s growth and reputation by negotiating joint venture partnership with minority owner to develop one of largest minority machining companies under one roof in U.S.• Saved significant customer dollars for company by developing alliance with original equipment manufacturer that led to streamlining of product supply.• Developed and implemented skill-based compensation system for hourly team members. Show less

Charter Schools: Practices For High Performance

Bachelor Of Arts, Operations Management