The Arcade Comedy Theater exists to Elevate the Art of Comedy in Pittsburgh.My role exists to make sure our mission is sustainable for generations.As Interim Executive Director, I have realigned the financial model of the Arcade to support a sustainable future by reducing overhead costs and growing earned and contributed revenue.

As a Certified CMMI MDDAP ATM, I work with teams of appraisers to provide discovery appraisals for enrolled medical device manufacturing sites. The work involves leading interviews with staekholders, identifying themes of strength and opportunity, and delivering a useful report out for sites' future growth. I bring 20 years of soft-skills strength and development to this work to enable dialogue, engagement, and authenticity to the appraisal process.

Provided a first year program evaluation for a key client engagement through in person and virtual interviews and research.Built a data management tool and trained the CL team to own and administer the tool for long term success.Provide coaching on additional database projects across the CL business.

The Tarara Agency provides personalized consulting services in Product Management, Program Evaluation, Data Management, and Strategic Planning.In addition to working with individual companies, Katie Tarara works as an Appraisal Team Member as part of the Voluntary Improvement Program (VIP) through the FDA's CDRH and ISACA. In this role she works on teams of professionals who provide assessments and insights to enrolled medical device manufacturers.

As Wine Shop manager, I led our effort to move to a new point of sale system, including selecting the tool, migrating data from the prior system and training the staff on the new tools. I also handled the shop's direct import business with several small food production companies in Italy.

As a Standardized Patient educator, I worked to help medical students to develop their interviewing and examination skills.

Worked with the executive team to build a strategy to launch the world's first electrostatic motor to the automation market.Represented the company at the Automation 2022 conference to begin collaborative relationships between C-Motive and industry partners.

I lead a small team chasing a big goal. We are tracking toward 30% revenue growth in 2021 through our network of global partners.

Leads a team of 18 professionals to ensure that all of our customers get the value that they expect from their relationship with ISACA and are able to expand that value through deeper connection to our products or partnership.

Developed and led operational go-to-market plan for the launch of CMMI V2.0 through the CMMI Partner NetworkSupervise the Partner and Client Services team with responsibility for 77% of annual revenue.Focus on improving operational excellence by increasing efficiency and reducing cycle time while improving customer experience and satisfaction.

Supervise the Partner and Client Services team with responsibility for 77% of annual revenue.Focus on improving operational excellence by increasing efficiency and reducing cycle time while improving customer experience and satisfaction.Advocate for customer value in all strategic planning and decision making.

Proposed and executed a change to pricing model to increase CMMI Institute revenue while mitigating risk and attrition. Resulted in 34% growth in top line revenue in year one.Responsible for majority of CMMI Institute’s annual revenue—achieved by retaining and growing relationships with the partner organizations that license CMMI Institute’s intellectual property.Built financial models to forecast revenue based on various risk factors to provide visibility to executives.Worked closely with executives through the due diligence progress around an acquisition—comfortable drafting and reviewing legal documents.Served as a proxy for Partner concerns in all strategic planning efforts at CMMI Institute including budgeting, product development, operational support, and training and certification sales.Built an annual communication strategy to increase engagement among existing Partners including monthly newsletters, targeted messaging, quarterly webinars, an annual report, and Partner events in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America.

Responsible for all aspects for the CMMI Conference: SEPG North America in 2013 and 2014, including registration and exhibitor sales. The conference which had been a cost center was profitable in 2013 and 2014. 2014 marked the first increase in attendance over the previous year since 2007.Hired and managed relationships with vendors and contractors to develop a new branding and logo system, distribute five global press releases, and develop a new company website to increase awareness of CMMI products and services and the CMMI Institute brand.Developed the company email marketing program by growing the contact list from 5,000 to over 80,000 contacts, and achieving above average engagement on email campaigns for four conferences and two product launchesRepresented the CMMI Institute at the SEPG Latin America and DGIQ conferences in June 2014 and on four global CMMI Institute webinars in 2013 and 2014.

Consistently exceeded sales goals in the commission-based department.Shining Star sales associate for eight months as a flex team member (occasional hours).

Designed and managed the annual Day of Giving campaigns in 2011 and 2012 that resulted in an increase in funds of 70% and then 110% over the prior year, respectively, as well as an increase in the number of givers each year. Exceeded budgeted annual goal for corporate event sponsorship through partnerships with local and national organizations.Wrote two proposals in 2012 which resulted in $80,000 in grant dollars for special projects.Built a multi-channel communications strategy from the ground up, including social media, Wordpress blog, podcasts, Constant Contact email newsletters, speaking engagements and donor communications.Managed all aspects of 2-3 events each month including design and vision, logistics, registration, marketing and execution. Events include happy hours, breakfast meetings, day-long conferences and special events for crowds from 12 to 300 people.

Wrote regular columns including “Destination Wheeling” and Home-CookingEdited every article in each quarterly issue for proofreading errors and inconsistency in style and message..

Met and exceeded sales goals while delivering personalized customer service in the boutique shop environment.Learned and presented product information in personal interactions as well as in front of groups at wine tastings.Coordinated the Wheeling Wine Gala 2009

Implemented logistics, budget, staffing, production, internal and external communications and marketing for the annual Jubilee Conference in 2011, a weekend event in Downtown Pittsburgh with 2500 attendees. Achieved record attendance and finished the project with a $20,000 surplus.Managed logistics, budget, registration and communication for five annual training events for the staff of 200.

Researched and built a strategy for organizational growth, resulting in12 new funded partnerships with churches and universities, or $300,000 annual revenue for the organization.Supervised 20 campus ministers to meet and exceed performance standards.Designed and executed an organization-wide Appreciative Inquiry strategic planning process and worked on the strategy team to redesign performance standards for all staff.Served on the strategy team, risk management committee, New Staff training team, communications charter project and other special projects as directed.

Responsible for designing and executing a five-week orientation/training program for all new hires.Coordinated instructors, facilities, budget, and staff.

Managed the facilities, services, and programs for two residence halls of 400+ students.Supervised 14 student resident assistants and their work advising and planning hall programs.Developed programs for student spiritual development on campus.