Gretchen Bond Email & Phone Number

Dublin, OH, US

Columbus, Ohio, United States

*Connect strategy to execution to continue to drive growth including managing the progress of existing and new product and service commercialization motions. *Create and implement the roadmap for our sales technology stack*Provide people leadership for the Sales Business Applications team

Provide thought leadership, execution experience and strategic thinking. Focus areas: Creating innovative approaches to tough problems, Building teams that deliver results, Go To Market planning and execution, Seamless integration of technology and process.

Columbus, Ohio Area

• Ensured successful redesign launch of the DSW.com e-commerce site and IOS and Android apps resulting in improved comparable sales of over 40 % for the site and over 80 % for the apps
• Implemented an automation framework which decreased the need for manual testers applied to monthly releases by two FTE
• Implemented standard agile/SCRUM metrics and tracking at the project and department level; set benchmarks and stretch goals resulting in faster time to market
• Managed a 3.1 million dollar budget to within 4% variance (negotiated lower external contractor rates and ensured a 90 day forward looking staffing plan)

Columbus, Ohio

* Colloborated with Senior and Executive Leadership to develop the Nationwide Financial Technology Strategy* Developed and directed strategy for capability improvement withinNationwide Financial’s five Business Solution Areas: Nationwide Bank,Nationwide Financial Network, Retirement Plans, Individual Products andSolutions, and Integrated Application.

Columbus, Ohio Area

• Re-platformed Nationwide Bank’s lending product systems with the highest quality of any of the vendor’s midsized clients while meeting schedule requirements (Phase 1 of a 72M, multi-year Program)
• Created “IT Value” benchmarks using current and forecasted financial data to ensure that Bank IT met or exceeded both tangible and intangible value targets
• Partnered with IT and Business representatives to define Build to Run processes and maturity measurement
• Created and executed the overall Quality Management Plan for the Bank’s transformation from a traditional to a digital Bank in a fully outsourced model
• Responsible for defect management analysis and metrics including plans for standardization and best practice sharing on behalf of the five Nationwide Financial units
• Represented Bank Leadership in various Operational, Strategic and Tactical Review forums with Nationwide Financial IT Executive Leadership

In this role I worked directly with CTO, VPs of Application Development, and VP of Change Management to ensure successful delivery of a new custom built application replacing Siebel in multiple European countries. I was responsible for defining and implementing quality standards in key strategic programs and individual client projects for online and.

• Created and championed a new quality approach which includes not only software development testing but also metrics and tracking, data management, business process improvement and innovation.
• Managed the overall quality process for key strategic initiatives for both Affinion International and Affinion North America
• Ensured quality and release processes were standardized for membership applications; created and presented process and procedures to IT and business stakeholders
• Worked collaboratively with infrastructure, release management, software development, and other quality assurance teams to create the framework for a enterprise-wide Quality model
• Purchased and utilized best-in-class quality tools including HP’s QTP for testing automation and HP’s Performance Center for Performance and Load Testing
• Created an Enterprise Performance Testing framework and worked with senior leadership to confirm HP software support for same

• Managed projects using a agile-based, fast paced, small team approach including:
• Development of an Iphone Application
• Assessment and Roadmap development for Web Analytics (Omniture)
• Updated content management delivery process (OpenDeploy)
• Implementation of Search Engine Optimization framework
• Managed design and development of a revised Project Management Methodology and Software Development Lifecycle particular to Affinion Group IT projects

• Developed IT skills monitoring process using a custom IT competency framework and integrated employee training programs
• Standardized contractor vendor management including creating preferred vendor criteria, performance standards, and organizational and individual metrics
• Provided analysis of external labor data by function, recommend changes to process and procedure to improve external labor requisition, acquisition and monitoring
• Worked with internal team to redesign the IT Project Management Office and its attendant methodology
• Developed custom project management training course to be implemented enterprise-wide

• Assigned all existing curriculum to a competency framework and provided a competency map to move from position or role based training to competency based
• Developed new material and targeted updates to leadership and management training for District and General Managers
• Worked with internal team to recommend new training metrics system
• Helped to incorporate Lotus Quickplace utilization for shared resources into the training and store management functions
• Assisted in the implementation of new Franchise Area Director curriculum system-wide

• Led “Unified Process” project focusing on development of internal employee intellectual capital in order to drive efficiencies and effectiveness in a training and consulting environment (recommended implementation of.
• Managed various internal operations functions including setting up a client testing and assessment process for job candidate pre-screening, streamlining of management functions (organizational restructure) to support.
• Supervised a team of rotating subject matter experts, sales support and business partners
• Presided over the introduction of a new client base for Babbage Simmel including clients from various state agencies and commercial businesses in the Central Ohio area (lead product development and marketing for.
• Worked with the Organizational Growth Team to develop and deliver Concept Application workshops and mentoring opportunities for clients based on various business “soft skill” competencies
• Co-wrote and managed the development of a leadership skill development curriculum

American Electric Power, Commerical Operations Business Process Improvement

• Managed cross dependencies between three related projects (SPP Integration, Settlements Re-Architecture and Power Scheduling Improvement)
• Identified, documented and tracked critical schedule, scope, human resources and cross-project issues
• Managed cross-functional team of technology, process improvement and subject matter experts
• Created communication and change management plans to assist in the implementation of new processes and roles in addition to new systems
• Acted as Testing Manager and created an integrated testing plan including unit, system, integration, user acceptance and Market Trials Testing
• Reported project schedules, milestones, budgets and issues to senior management

• Responsible for the implementation of the PowerPlant Consolidated Fixed Asset System including business process re-engineering, system integration, data conversion, budget tracking and metrics reporting to the.
• Managed the implementation of a new technical architecture strategy incorporating Citrix and AIX technology
• Led a team of thirty business and technical specialists to complete the design phase of the PowerPlant Consolidated Fixed Asset system consolidation
• Managed business case development including return on investment, implementation cost estimates, cost avoidance, business process engineering and risk analysis
• Negotiated consulting and licensing agreement contracts
• Responsible for staffing assignments and recruiting team members from various locations including Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Massachusetts, and Georgia

• Led four projects managing transition from mainframe-based reconciliation & General Ledger environments to SAP-FI
• Created current and target state process designs to incorporate process improvement and standards across nine geographically dispersed lines of business
• Identified key requirements based on legacy system functionality and business needs
• Coordinated testing of business process requirements and system functions
• Led successful upgrade of SAP-OIM from 3.0f version to 4.6b version
• Managed two technical team members

• Streamlined reporting, information collection and information tracking by implementing the use of standard business software
• Standardized staff functions and job descriptions within the five state Area
• Assisted in re-engineering order entry, inventory and specific account maintenance to more efficiently service customers.
• Developed and implemented process improvement standards for Regional customer sales team
• Assisted with staffing and employee development for a team of three Customer Sales Representatives
• Developed and maintained efficiency benchmarks

Master'S Degree, Labor And Human Resources

Activities and Societies: Phi Kappa Phi- recognizing the top 10% of seniors and graduate students

Ba, American Studies

Activities and Societies: Captain, Varsity Swimming; Officer, Kappa Alpha Theta

Education record