Michelle Markus Email & Phone Number

Seattle, Washington, United States

Seattle, Wa

Joined the biotech start-up as the sixth employee. Spearhead partnership and global commercial growth efforts (including market research, business development, manufacturing, distribution, third-party logistics) for U.S., New Zealand, Australia, East Africa, and Southeast Asia. Launched the first products and revenue streams in New Zealand: led go-to-market strategy and planning, developed an extensive network of advisors and in-market partners, established operations from manufacturing to 3PL, and rolled out the first product on two direct-to-consumer e-commerce sites. Additional launches in Asia-Pacific, Kenya, and the U.S. in progress.

Olympia, Wa

As Mud Bay’s first-ever Chief People Officer, drove top-to-bottom transformation of all people team functions to prioritize employee experience, increased competitiveness in the job market, fostered curiosity and understanding in the leadership team, and enhanced wellbeing at this multisite retail organization. Championed several company “firsts” that shaped the course of the company’s development. Leadership impact includes:- Established all-new people team function: In first year, restructured the HR function to expand capabilities, promote a sense of ownership, and invest in needed expertise. Then, implemented similar changes to evolve the learning and development function. Finally, launched the first centralized recruiting team. Altogether, these pillars formed the core of the new people team.- Led COVID-19 health & safety strategy: Building on prior experience in crisis management, led risk management and mitigation efforts for the first nine months of the pandemic. Achieved status as an essential retailer and kept all 60+ stores open. Quickly hired the company’s first seasonal workforce (100+ people). Ultimately, measured 0% community transmission.- Redesigned total rewards philosophy to address pay compression issues, correct regional cost-of-living disparities, and expand benefits/coverage. Evangelized changes to become more fair, transparent, equitable, and competitive. Attained 89% favorable employee rating for 2020 benefits and maintained above-average staff retention rate: 75% (2019) and 77% (2020).- Founded a DEI cohort that led the company to take a more active role in LGBTQIA+ issues, host inclusive community events, and facilitate transformative conversations.

Seattle, Wa

Led strategy, development, and execution of all firm-wide communications including storyboarding, visuals, stakeholder management, and executive coaching and messaging. Steered the company’s most ambitious transformation initiatives and reached important milestones in organizational development. Leadership impact includes:- Executed change management strategy for key transitions, such as launch of new business units, expansion into new consulting service areas, annual ESOP share price, DEI culture updates, leadership transitions, business continuity, and total rewards changes.- Earned industry accolades: Point B received numerous awards from Fortune and Consulting; named to lists including Best Workplaces for Women (2015), Best Workplaces for Camaraderie (2015), Best Workplaces for Millennials (2016), and Best Firms to Work For (four times). Achieved internal net promoter score of 91% (2016).- Launched and helped to teach the Power Speakers course, frequently referred to as the “best course at Point B.”

Seattle, Wa

Managed a $4M portfolio, including all sales, quality of delivery, support and development of over 30 Point B’ers, and account administration. Notable enterprise clients included REI, Brooks Sports, ASPCA, Tommy Bahama and Nordstrom.

Seattle, Wa

As the CEO’s right hand for transformative change, established the communications function to complement existing culture efforts and stepped into the newly created C-suite position as a highly visible, highly involved leader. Adapted own role, acting when needed as an organizational consultant, executive coach, portfolio leader, and cultural touchstone. Leadership impact includes:- Achieved goal of becoming 100% employee-owned company: Engaged every employee in open-hearted listening to understand how they supported the mission. Began a conversation about company legacy that strengthened employee engagement, stability, and future growth.- Facilitated founder transition: With the founders, led all change management activities to prepare for transition of their co-CEO roles to a new CEO. Leveraged employee goodwill and loyalty to generate support for the cultural transition and reduce reliance on the founding team.- Led successful culture campaigns: Conceptualized some of the company’s most extensive internal campaigns, including “Who We Are” (2017) and “Together We” (2014 to 2016).- Provided sponsorship and stewardship of Point B’s culture and employee engagement, including leadership and development of eight culture directors and oversight of their annual market plans.

Seattle, Wa

Role and engagement highlights include: - Leadership Advisor to SVP of Operations at ASPCA – Provided weekly coaching on strategy, team dynamics, change management, and leadership development.- Project Manager, Marketing Transformation at REI – Led process design, role clarification, and implementation effort between multichannel marketing and merchandising departments for their print, in-store, and online marketing projects. Conducted business simulation workshops and trained marketing personnel on the new strategy.

Bonney Lake, Wa

Whole Body Pilates was focused on providing certified Pilates instruction to both private as well as class clientele. I was the sole owner and instructor, and taught Pilates in what I referred to as the "bookends of my days" (early mornings, evenings and weekends). I loved teaching Pilates as it provided real-time results for my clients--a nice balance to consulting work, which can take longer for impact to be realized.

Philadelphia, Pa

Client engagement highlights include:- Organization Design, Job Design & Training at PG&E – Led client and consulting team for a business transformation project. Created new department organizational models and dozens of jobs. Delivered delivery strategy for training program impacting 6,000+ employees to support 70 offices consolidating into seven.- Process Impact & Training at DuPont of Canada – Managed training for 550 staff in SAP financials, manufacturing, sale-to cash, business warehousing, project systems, requisition-to-pay, and plant maintenance. Developed process flows, training materials, job aids, transactional work instructions, a central website, communications, and competency assessment and analysis.- SAP FI-CO Configurator at DuPont – Fostered team building, work plan management, and offshore coordination between technical teams in Delaware and India. Built, unit tested, and transported SAP configuration while maintaining system integrity and documentation standards.