Dakotta: Resume Program Manager: Process Improvement | Change Management | Six Sigma Black Belt

Professional Summary

Detail-oriented and collaborative Program Manager, Process Improvement and Change Management professional with over 10 years of experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex, high-impact projects in global organizations like Booking.com, Amazon, Microsoft, Disney, and The Los Angeles Times. Skilled at driving strategic initiatives, optimizing workflows, and delivering results that align with business goals and stakeholder expectations.

Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, with expertise in program development, process improvement, and data-driven decision-making. Proven ability to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and manage multi-million-dollar budgets while ensuring timely project delivery. Adept at using tools like Miro, Jira, Trello, Lucidchart, CRM platforms, and data analytics dashboards to track performance and optimize outcomes.

Known for building strong relationships across diverse teams and fostering a collaborative work environment. Successfully managed global business programs to improve operational efficiency, drive cost reductions, and implement scalable solutions that enhance overall performance. Passionate about process optimization and innovation, with a commitment to creating sustainable growth and delivering measurable business outcomes.

Focused on driving operational excellence, aligning programs with strategic goals, and fostering innovation to deliver measurable business impact.

Learn more about me:

  • To learn more about my full professional background, please visit my [LinkedIn Profile].
  • Learn about my chaplaincy, research and volunteer work on my chaplaincy resume here.

Professional Experience

Booking.com Employer Brand Program Manager | Feb 2021 – Present

  • Developed and implemented a company-wide employee referral program, increasing referral hires 400% and positioning it as the top talent acquisition channel.
  • Streamlined workflows and improved candidate experience by integrating cross-functional feedback loops and optimizing the recruitment process.
  • Introduced a trackable performance framework for data-driven decision-making, enhancing recruitment metrics and driving continuous process improvements.
  • Led change management initiatives to align recruitment strategies with business goals, contributing to reduced time-to-hire and improved operational efficiency.

Internal Job Coach | Oct 2023 – Present

  • Designed and facilitated career development programs, helping employees align personal goals with company objectives.
  • Conducted skills gap analyses and implemented personalized development plans, fostering employee engagement and performance optimization.
  • Developed coaching frameworks rooted in process improvement principles, enhancing internal talent mobility.

Works Council Netherlands – Internal Communications | Nov 2021 – Present

  • Advocated for employees’ interests while driving organizational change through collaborative dialogue with leadership.
  • Spearheaded internal communication strategies to ensure alignment on company policies and labor law compliance.
  • Participated in negotiations that led to improved workplace efficiency and employee satisfaction.

Global Program Manager – Operations | Mar 2020 – Feb 2021

  • Led the design and implementation of global CRM systems (Phenom People, Eightfold), streamlining recruitment operations and enhancing data accuracy.
  • Developed and launched a virtual onboarding program, improving new hire integration and reducing onboarding time by 30%.
  • Introduced an alumni engagement program, fostering long-term connections and enhancing company brand.

Global Project Manager – Operations | Jul 2018 – Sep 2019

  • Managed global vendor relationships and recruitment technology stacks, reducing agency spend by 50% through process optimization.
  • Implemented Textio for diversity hiring, increasing diverse hires by 10% and improving inclusive language in job postings.
  • Collaborated with the People Analytics team to develop advanced Greenhouse metrics, driving data-informed decision-making.

Amazon Recruitment Marketing Program Manager | Jan 2016 – Dec 2016

  • Managed a $21M recruitment marketing budget across 21 regions, optimizing sourcing strategies for high-volume hiring.
  • Initiated partnerships with diversity organizations, leading to a 30% increase in diverse candidate pipelines.
  • Leveraged process automation tools to streamline candidate sourcing and improve operational workflows.

Social Media Marketing Specialist in Recruitment | Apr 2012 – Mar 2014

  • Designed and executed global sourcing campaigns that supported Amazon Lockers, SOS, Security, and Fulfillment operations.
  • Developed non-traditional recruitment strategies leveraging social media and data-driven insights to enhance global hiring.
  • Coordinated multi-country hiring events, improving time-to-hire and expanding Amazon’s talent footprint across Europe and the Americas.

Mozilla Employer Branding Program Consultant | Mar 2014 – Feb 2015

  • Collaborated with global teams to revamp the Mozilla Careers website and social channels, improving brand visibility and candidate engagement.
  • Developed and executed global content strategies for recruitment marketing, driving increased applications and talent engagement.
  • Partnered with regional teams to align employer branding initiatives with organizational goals, enhancing internal collaboration.

Grindr Employer Branding Program Consultant | Jan 2014 – Dec 2015

  • Worked cross-functionally to develop Grindr’s Employer Value Proposition (EVP), enhancing the company’s appeal to tech talent.
  • Led the execution of global employer branding campaigns and internal programs, improving the candidate pipeline for technical roles.
  • Supported the creation of diversity and inclusion initiatives, contributing to the growth of Grindr Labs and the broader organizational culture.

China Telecom Global Recruitment Program Manager (Consultant) | Jan 2005 – Dec 2005

  • Centralized decentralized recruitment teams, creating standardized processes that improved hiring efficiency and reduced redundancies.
  • Facilitated cross-departmental meetings to align recruitment strategies with organizational goals, fostering collaborative change management.
  • Implemented best practices in sourcing and recruitment, enhancing the efficiency of the centralized hiring model.

Microsoft Recruitment Program Manager (Consultant) | Jan 2004 – Dec 2004

  • Led the design and execution of internal collaboration platforms for recruiters, enhancing workflow efficiency and knowledge sharing.
  • Developed recruitment metrics and KPIs, providing leadership with actionable insights to optimize hiring processes.
  • Streamlined requisition processes, reducing time-to-hire by implementing process improvements and automation tools.

Dakotta Ventures Program Manager & Founder | Jan 1999 – Dec 2003

  • Founded and managed multiple startups, overseeing business planning, marketing strategies, and process improvements.
  • Implemented scalable operational processes, contributing to successful exits and product launches in tech and marketing sectors.
  • Managed cross-functional teams across the U.S., fostering innovation and continuous improvement in business operations.

Education

Master of Divinity in Applied Ethics, Islamic Education, and Jewish Education
Amalgamated Degree from: Jan 2009 – Jul 2013

  • Claremont Graduate University & Claremont School of Theology
  • Starr King School for the Ministry, part of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU), an academic consortium affiliated with UC Berkeley
  • The Pontifical Gregorian University (Vatican-affiliated)
  • Field research included: Germany, Eastern Europe, Balkans & Turkey, Australia, Israel, Palestine, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia

Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management
St. Joseph’s
May 2008

Certification in Human Resources Management
St. Joseph’s
May 2008

Continuing Education

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Level II and Level III
Shaw Chaplaincy Institute, University of Redlands Graduate School of Theology
Sep 2024 – May 2025

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Level I
San Francisco Night Ministry
Oct 2022 – Apr 2023

Co-Active Coaching Level I
Certified Career & Leadership Coaching
Aug 2023 – Sept 2023

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification (Program & Project Management)
Apr 2023

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification (Program & Project Management)
Dec 2019

Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certification (Program & Project Management)
Nov 2019

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