Karen D.

Experience

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  Midwest Medical Management Services

  Jan 2000 - Jul 2006

  Owner, Consultant

  Consulted with small medical practices to assist in operational and procedural business plans, employee benefit plans, and regulatory issues. Developed business procedures and implemented policies for newly opened and small practices Provided all services needed for operational support, including billing, bookkeeping, policy development and compliance audits.

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  The Arc of Southeast Iowa

  Aug 2006 - Jul 2018

  Promoted multiple times for delivering extensive operational and financial improvements across organization, leading teams and vendors to advocate for and serve people with disabilities where they need it most. Strategize fulfillment of mission within evolving regulations, guiding multiple departments including Human Resources, Operations, Quality Assurance, and Compliance. Negotiate vendor/supplier contracts, funder agreements, and insurance payments. Analyze and plan financial development including grant writing, funds acquisition, budget development and administration, and tracking. Network with service providers and insurance to improve programs. Build and revise processes. • Diversified funding sources, capturing new opportunities yielding 15% rise from non-state origins. • Shrank errors in internal audits to under 3% by implementing electronic health records, also saving time for both providers and administrators.• Initiated teamwork training focused on utilizing individual’s strengths in collaboration, increasing morale and decreasing program staffing requirements.• Transitioned multiple programs onsite to cut administrative costs and optimize staff strengths, creating additional payment streams. • Drove donation and grant increases through event leadership, providing ability to renovate offices to move programs inhouse and ability to construct first fully-accessible play area in eastern Iowa. Show less Tracked and analyzed financial and budget data, reporting to board and CEO. Administered payroll and employee benefits. Managed vendors included negotiating contracts, quality assurance, and issue resolution. Devised process and technology improvements for more efficient operations. Oversaw personnel, creating development opportunities and investigating/settling disputes. Ensured and documented compliance. • Revitalized employee benefits plan with increased offerings, negotiating consistent rates to avoid annual increases despite more employees accepting coverage. • Drove productivity up additional 10% through leadership of EHR implementation and IT overhaul. • Crafted quality assurance plan consisting of random client and personnel audits, developing acquired data into standards. • Orchestrated acquisition of two new certifications: American Camp Association (ACA) and Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL). Show less Led team of 350, governing all personnel management, payroll, and human resource functions. Analyzed and improved compliance measures related to labor and finance. Drafted training manuals and orientations. Added online and video trainings to meet unique situations and supplement inhouse trainings. • Reversed compliance issues by transitioning 400 staff from contractor to employee status, earning highest marks in company history from State inspections and stakeholders. • Built financial process from scratch to support operational viability, generally accepted accounting principle (GAAP) compliance, and Medicaid compliance. • Wrote first company Policies & Procedures manual encompassing all operations and departments. • Presented and sold development of IT system upgrades and expansions, managing implementation. Show less

  • Chief Executive Officer

    Jul 2013 - Jul 2018

  • Vice President of Operations & Finance

    Jul 2009 - Jul 2013

  • Business Manager/Quality Assurance Specialist

    Aug 2006 - Jul 2009
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  Iowa City Hospice

  Jul 2018 - May 2021

  Director of Finance

  • Maximized return on financial assets by establishing financial policies, procedures, and controls• Ensured legal and regulatory compliance for all accounting and financial reporting functions• Budgeted and analyzed financial data on a per patient (NPR) basis, reporting monthly to Executive Director and Board of Directors.• Decreased aging of accounts from 82 days at start of tenure to less than 40 days within 18 months through training and increased accountability• Implemented cost reduction strategies including improved payroll, PBM, billing, and EHR changes Show less

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  Iowa Care Community (fka Iowa City Hospice/VNA of Johnson County)

  May 2021 - Apr 2024

  Chief Financial Officer

  • Strategic thought-partner leading and developing finance, billing, business planning and budgeting• Formulate financial policies and processes for recently acquired agency• Work closely with department heads to reverse downward trend in revenue• Decreased aging of accounts from 200+ days to under 90 within first six months of recent merger• Implement cost reduction strategies including integrated EMR and payroll to maximize efficiencies and processes

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  Raise the Future

  Jul 2022 - now

  Chief Financial Officer

  • Strategic financial partner collaborating to develop and execute overall business strategies, aligning financial objectives with organizational goals• Oversee cash management, liquidity, and investment strategies to maintain financial stability• Managed structure, resources, and functions of the finance team to align with the organization’s current needs through period of high growth• Identified opportunities to streamline financial processes, eliminate redundancies and automate routine tasks Show less