Linda Willis Email and Phone Number

Apply Lean and Six Sigma methodology to lead and coach continuous improvement efforts across the organization. Work in agile and waterfall project environments in close partnership with PMO and Agile Services, Scrum Teams to deliver technical process improvement solutions.- Utilize continuous improvement methods (lean, six sigma), project management, change management, and facilitation skills to improve organizational processes and guide transformational activities. - Facilitate planning and project defining efforts using aspects of Compression Planning method and structured decision-making tools to organize participants around focused and agreed upon goals and objectives. - Gather, analyze, interpret, and present process data. Perform statistical, trend, root cause and benchmarking analysis and provide recommendations based on results.- Contributor to first year launch of continuous improvement program: planning and implementation of processes, templates, tools, and promotional material. - Create/manage dashboard to collect key metrics for monitoring progress and measuring impact.- Create reports using data visualization techniques and infographics to effectively communicate results and outcomes to a variety of audiences.

Conceptualize and direct comprehensive integrated effort for developing external funding opportunities in support of advancing the College mission. Provide oversight and leadership to grants staff and department in design and delivery of pre- and post-award grants administration services. Represent the College in development of community and business partnerships, and act as liaison to funders as a certifying official. Report to executive management to make recommendations regarding direction and activities.

Coordinate and lead all phases of the College's grant cycle: Go/No-Go Decision, Proposal Development, Implement Award, Monitor & Report, and Closeout. Identify and monitor prospective federal, state and other public and private contracts and grant opportunities. Serve as liaison between College, granting agencies, and internal and external partners. Represent the College in external and internal community meetings for projects and partnerships. Conduct training for faculty, staff and administrators across the College on key grant and contract topics. Develop and maintain specialized databases and systems; create and distribute standard and special reports, summaries and analyses. Maintain currency of knowledge of funding policies, regulations, procedures; disseminate and present changes to departments and advise on impact and action. Represent the College in federal and state audits of government-funded grants.

Seek and secure local, state, and federal government and private funding opportunities to support the mission of the College. Lead development of competitive proposals and collaboratively monitor and manage post-award project activities and budget to ensure successful implementation and adherence to institutional, grant, and governmental guidelines and policies. Use skills in critical thinking, research, writing, data analysis, strategy development, and Compression Planning facilitation to support various initiatives throughout the College, including the Instructional Vitality Process for quality and continuous improvement.Funding experience includes: U.S. Department of Labor; WI Department of Workforce Development; U.S. Department of Education; National Science Foundation; Wisconsin Technical College System; WI Department of Children & Families; Great Lakes Higher Education; WI Department of Veterans Affairs; WI Department of Justice; and various national corporate and local community foundations.Also held Wisconsin Advanced Manufacturing Pathway Educational Network (WAMPEN) Assistant position (7 months) with the College.

Postsecondary course instruction in: Leading Change & Diversity; Team Building & Problem Solving; Technology for Business Leaders.

- Provided oversight of day-to-day operations, strategic planning, and guidance for school-based operations for six satellite locations and its full-time and part-time employees; directly managed six full-time supervisors. Established a new elementary and middle school site.- Managed $500,000+ budget and related grants and other sources of funding; pursued new funding opportunities.- Organizational representative in key partnerships with the Green Bay Public School District, area colleges and universities, nonprofits, and businesses.

- Established and coordinated all aspects of project and program evaluation. Worked with staff to ensure process and outcome evaluations were conducted to continually improve program performance.- Assured adherence to and promoted best practices for data quality and survey methodologies.- Advocated for quality improvement of programs and overall programmatic operations by conducting program evaluations including, but not limited to Impact Assessment, National Office annual youth survey, and supported the full implementation of the National Office assessment initiative: Formula for Impact.- Created and disseminated best practice materials and resources, and provided technical assistance, coaching, and training.

Develop curriculum and deliver training in soft skills and leadership development across the northeast, northwest and southern regions of the state for the third largest bank in Wisconsin. Topics include: Dealing with Change; Generations; Diversity; Customer Service Skills; Teamwork; Supervision & Leadership and specialized topics: Crucial Conversations; Emotional Intelligence.

- Developed & facilitated professional development offerings (technical and soft skills) for over 100 employees. - Developed assessment tools, gathered, and analyzed assessment data for continuous improvement purposes.- Community partnership liaison; maintained close partnership with Green Bay School District to align curriculum with school day standards; grant writing, management, and reporting.- Developed and implemented a national award-winning summer literacy program for under-resourced middle/high school youth. Secured grant funding to launch new STEM initiatives (successfully sustained).