As a Senior Product Manager at Renaissance Learning, I spearhead the development of a next generation K-12 formative assessment platform integrated into the Renaissance ecosystem. Leading a dynamic team of product owners, I take ownership of the entire product roadmap, ensuring its successful execution and timely delivery. Collaborating closely with the VP of Product, I prioritize major initiatives, enhancements and maintenance projects, while actively engaging with cross-functional teams to drive product launches. My role involves mentoring and managing the product team, implementing Agile best practices, and fostering continuous improvement, all while being a passionate advocate for our product.

As a Director of Product Management, I established strategies that supported corporate objectives for a portfolio of digital learning platforms. I assessed evolving trends in teaching and learning, inferring trends during the product development process. Moreover, I led a team of product managers that developed crucial strategic initiatives, identified product requirements, and executed them against the product roadmap. Some key achievements in this role include:• Bolstered revenue from $200M to just under $300M in three years.• Key product team member awarded with the Project of the Year Award in 2021 for the launch of Cengage Infuse.• Spearheaded the expansion of academic disciplines supported by the platform to over 100 by acquiring feedback from internal stakeholders and aligning platform and product strategies.• Increased the number of active users from two million to just over three million in three years.• Instrumental member of the Product Team of the Year at the 2020 Cengage Annual Awards for the launch of a new line of digital language education products.

As a professional with Cengage Group, I devised and executed a refined strategy for MindTap, the company's flagship digital learning platform. I forged strong relationships with technology partners, offering innovative content and capabilities. Lastly, I supervised a team of product managers handling specific areas of the platform.Some key achievements in this role include:• Recognized as the Product Manager of the Year at the 2015 Cengage Annual Awards for leading the creation and launch of the MindTap mobile app.• Accelerated customer activations by collaborating with marketing and sales leaders on go-to-market initiatives.

With this organization, I directed collaborative feature implementation discussions and advised feature priorities and business value for a cross-functional team of Business Analysts, Engineers, and Designers. I communicated with internal and external stakeholders to involve them in the development process, demonstrating new features, obtaining feedback, and evaluating results against goals. Additionally, I participated with User Experience Designers to produce prototypes, wireframes, and additional design artifacts.Some key achievements in this role include:• Launched the MindTap platform from concept to an in-market digital learning platform.

When working as a Product Owner, I partnered with internal stakeholders and potential customers to outline product requirements and certify that all feedback was utilized to inform development by distributing early designs and story maps. I authored user stories, guaranteeing that all stories contained precise acceptance criteria. I monitored the development of user stories from the quality assurance team. Furthermore, I designated story priorities in each iteration and cleared story backlogs with the team.Some key achievements in this role include:• Procured commitment from Senior Leadership to fund the initial development of the MindTap platform.

While serving as a Product Manager, I conceived product design by researching industry trends, leading focus group meetings, conducting user surveys, assessing competitors' product offerings, and monitoring product support issues. I cooperated with offshore and in-house resources throughout the product development process, which utilized agile methodologies. I delivered presentations to the Board of Advisors and Senior Executives to demonstrate product revenue, cost, concepts, and results. Some key achievements in this role include:• Achieved the launch of a new product offering co-designed with Microsoft, a key strategic partner.

- Promoted from Account Manager to establish a dynamic services organization capable of consistently delivering high-quality services and creating customer loyalty and excitement.- Evaluated the performance and skills of three full-time product support representatives. - Improved customer service based on client feedback through the development of new policies and procedures. - Resolved all escalated customer problems quickly to increase customer retention and build referral business. - Served on the planning committee for a national user conference attended by over 200 university customers. Facilitated several sessions and emceed the closing ceremony. - Planned and managed the implementation of the Salesforce CRM.

- Developed and maintained positive and enduring relationships with a national client base of over 120 university career center customers. - Offered solutions and recommendations for customers to more effectively leverage their existing products. - Maintained prospect database, prepared sales activity reports, and developed marketing/sales strategy for achieving quarterly goals. - Created trade show materials, attended trade shows, and promoted products.

- Promoted and expanded the domestic internship program resulting in a 24% increase in students completing internships over the previous academic year. - Assisted students with preparing for and securing academic internships through individual career counseling, resume critiques, and various career-related workshops.- Developed and maintained productive relationships with faculty, administrators, and employers.

- Developed and facilitated all training programs for a staff of 24 resident assistants. - Conducted thorough assessments of various programs including training activities, quality of residence life staff, and on-campus alcohol and other drug use prevention.

- Administered the day-to-day operations of three residence halls housing approximately 450 students. - Counseled and referred students with first-year adjustment or developmental issues.

- Oversaw all major social/educational campus events and served as an event manager for designated evening activities.- Created and participated in staff training, recruitment, and selection processes.