Leah Bender Email & Phone Number

Kirkland, Wa, Us

Greater Seattle Area

As the Organizational Change Management Leader within the Enterprise Transformation Office, I lead a team of experienced change management professionals dedicated to the successful implementation and adoption of large-scale initiatives that support the firm’s top strategic priorities.My approach to change combines best practice methods with creative, tailored, and adaptive solutions to meet the needs of our people and the organization, building adaptability for lasting change. This includes ensuring readiness and alignment for sustained transformation through comprehensive stakeholder assessments, insights driven change management strategies, leader engagement, targeted communication plans, and customized readiness and support tactics.In establishing the firm’s change management function, I implemented a comprehensive framework and toolset, equipping project teams with essential resources for planning, execution, and measurement ensuring effective and sustainable change.

Greater Seattle Area

I coach individuals across all ages to master public speaking, interviews, and leadership presence, empowering them to excel in professional and competitive arenas such as scholarship programs, pageants, DECA Leadership Conferences, and debate teams. My practice includes spokesmodel and personal introduction writing, for which many of my clients have won or placed in the top of their group at the local, national, and international level.The dynamic, action-based learning experiences I design for teens and young adults, focuses on sharpening professional skills and how to create meaningful community service projects and legacy initiatives. In parallel, I lead workshops for emerging leaders and young entrepreneurs, providing the strategies and tools they need to succeed. I also have the privilege of collaborating closely with parents, guiding them on how to offer the best practical and emotional support to their children as they prepare for the challenges of competition.

Greater Seattle Area

As a Change Management Senior Program Manager, I contributed to Nordstrom's strategic ambitions by applying change management methodologies and best practices, and by initiating partnerships with key stakeholders across the organization. I supported the portfolio and managed multiple projects, identifying change management needs and providing fit for purpose change management solutions.I developed the change management organization charter, which included defining our vision, core competencies, team design, and ways of working that aligned with Nordstrom’s vision for embedding and maturing our change management and organizational effectiveness capabilities.I provided change management support and oversight on key projects, which involved conducting stakeholder assessments and offering recommendations at the enterprise level. I also developed change management strategies for enterprise initiatives and provided guidance for the ongoing integration of skills and tools, ensuring a plan for sustainability.

Greater Seattle Area

I was a member of a dynamic team responsible for designing, testing, and implementing a new store operating model to align more closely with Nordstrom’s digital and local market strategies. In this role, I led the development of the HR strategic delivery model, including ongoing optimization of the Executing with Intent program designed to inform and prepare HR Business Partners of upcoming people-centric initiatives for the company. I also created and worked in partnership with team leaders to integrate variety of tools and best practices utilized by the HR leadership team and PMO.In 2020, my in-depth involvement in COVID-19 response included providing programmatic support, serving as a thought partner on rapid response implementations, and creating artifacts, such as leadership presentations and an early iteration of a COVID-19 HR business dashboard. Additionally, I was part of a program management team that supported an organizational design with responsibilities spanning from project and change management to workforce administration.

Greater Seattle Area

Greater Seattle Area

Education record

Education record