Dana Dowd, PMP, MBA

Experience

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  YWCA of St. Paul

  Mar 1998 - Apr 2000

  System Administrator

  Responsible for the management of IT support staff and organization projects. Forecast, plan, and manage the IT budget. Provide guidance and recommendations in the IT strategic goals and planning for the organization.ACCOMPLISHMENTS• Lead project to implement the physical network including servers and desktops.• Lead project to implement MS Exchange e-mail system.• Lead project to implement an organization-wide application combining three individual systems into a single solution. Show less

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  MBI Publishing Company

  Apr 2000 - Nov 2000

  System Administrator

  Provide recommendations for hardware and software solution maintenance and lifecycle planning. Manage technical projects, teams, and deliverables. Management of the IT related annual budget.ACCOMPLISHMENTS• Network conversion from Novell to Microsoft network.• Implementation of MS Exchange and conversion from Novell GroupWise.

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  State of Minnesota - Judicial Branch

  Nov 2000 - Jan 2013

  I managed all IT operations, financial aspects, team dynamics, and strategic planning initiatives for the second judicial district. I supervised IT supervisors, technical support staff, business analysts, project managers, and application development teams. I acted as a technical advisor to the district and state bench, division leaders, and external partners. • Provided guidance and leadership to supervisors, technical personnel, project managers, business analysts, quality assurance professionals, and IT trainers.• Managed an annual budget of $3 million and all IT contracts within the district, ensuring adherence to budgeting and procurement regulations, policies, and procedures.• Spearheaded analysis, design, selection, creation, and execution of a statewide disaster recovery solution, ensuring compliance with necessary standards and equipping the Judicial Branch with essential disaster recovery capabilities.• Oversaw implementation of the statewide Minnesota Case Information System, including direct supervision of district project coordinators, to establish a centralized solution serving the entire state.• Managed in-house development of various applications such as Psychological Services Billing, Child Support Magistrate Billing, and Intranet Content Management solutions, employing the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodology to meet business requirements effectively.• Engineered a restructuring of district tech team to align with business needs, resulting in enhanced relationships and service delivery between technical and business teams through consistent communication with business partners.• Led MN Judicial Branch eInitiative encompassing eFiling, eSignature, and eBench solutions with a budget of $1.8 million, driving significant cultural shifts, cost reductions, and process streamlining (reducing case processing time from over 3 weeks to 1 business day) for the district. Show less Accountable for SCAO portfolio and individual project management. Develop and control all project management deliverables including; budget planning, project plan, communications plan, risk plan, training plan, test plan, and project close-out. Recruit, direct, and manage business and technical team resources and their tasks and schedules for teams of up to 50 members. Provide resource planning and capacity management across the projects and portfolio. Partner with and guide business stakeholders through the creation of project definitions to ensure the project fits with the Judicial Branch Strategic Plan. Work closely with project champions, sponsors, and other business leaders to guarantee their needs and expectations for the project progress are being managed and represented.ACCOMPLISHMENTS• Managed the implementation of the statewide Minnesota Case Information System including direct management of district project coordinators providing a centralized statewide solution.• Managed the in-house application development of; Psychological Services Billing, Child Support Magistrate Billing, Intranet Content Management solutions. Show less SENIOR NETWORK ANALYSTProvided guidance and work direction related to project tasks to district network specialists statewide. Monitor systems capacity for growth and prepare recommendations for additional hardware, software, and develop system documentation. Served as a liaison with external consultants, vendors, and internal business stakeholders. Provide recommendations and carryout the implementation of business policies and procedures for IT related organizational concerns.ACCOMPLISHMENTS• Lead and managed statewide conversion to Microsoft Active Directory and Exchange.• Initiated and began development of statewide IT policies including e-mail, network naming standardization, remote access, and mobile devices.NETWORK SPECIALISTResponsible for providing work direction to district network specialist and district coordinator. Managed all components of district projects including cross-functional teams, project plans, project budgets, implementations, and training plans. Monitor, prepare, and present recommendations for systems growth, hardware and software solutions based on the businesses needs. Recommend and guide the creation of business policies and procedures. Provide end user training including the creation of system documentation, training material, and delivery of training sessions.ACCOMPLISHMENTS• Drove and managed the 2nd District Imaging system implementation across all divisions.• Implementation of external partner access to case related images Show less

  • Business Information & Technology Services Manager

    Jun 2008 - Jan 2013

  • Project Manager

    Apr 2006 - Jun 2008

  • Network Specialist | Senior Network Analyst

    Nov 2000 - Apr 2006
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  Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

  Jan 2013 - Jul 2014

  IT Portfolio Services Manager

  I successfully managed both capital and IT projects while ensuring alignment with the strategic business plan. My role also included providing technical expertise and analysis on complex business and technology issues, as well as forecasting future directions. In addition, I supervised a team of 5 project managers and business analysts in a matrix environment.• Led IT PMO, overseeing all aspects of the portfolio and project lifecycle, from initiation to completion.

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  CaringBridge

  Jul 2014 - Dec 2014

  Strategic Project Office Manager

  I oversaw the planning, development and execution of Strategic Project Office (SPO) strategies, policies and practices across the organization, which include areas within Project Portfolio Management (PPM), Enterprise Resource Plan (ERP), Quality Assurance and Project Management methodologies. Managed a team of project managers, business analyst, and quality assurance analysts in a fully agile environment.ACCOMPLISHMENTS• Led quarterly strategic goals through definition, planning, and successful completion.• Built relationships with key business stakeholders to manage the Enterprise Resource Plan. • Established and integrated SPO standards, processes, measures, metrics, thresholds, and targets to drive performance in alignment with IT and business strategies. Show less

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  State of MN DHS/MNsure (Contract)

  Apr 2015 - Dec 2019

  Project Manager (Consultant)

  I was responsible for managing the DHS METS projects, and I ensured smooth collaboration across the entire METS portfolio. I facilitated consistent and timely communication and reporting to project sponsors, organizational leadership, and external stakeholders, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and IV&V.• Facilitated prioritization of projects and assignments for team members spanning three organizations: DHS, MNsure, and MN.IT.

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  State of MN @ DEED

  Dec 2018 - Feb 2020

  Strategic Management Consultant

  I took the lead in guiding organizational management and drove initiatives to improve our team, such as redesigning processes. I directed teams in analyzing and suggesting innovative redesigns of processes, staffing configurations, and team structures. Additionally, I provided coaching and actionable recommendations to management to facilitate culture change and foster staff development.• Advised management team members on the formulation and execution of both short and long-term organizational strategic plans and roadmaps. Show less

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  Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

  Feb 2020 - Nov 2023

  I guided executive leaders on portfolio, program, project, and product execution to achieve desired business outcomes. I oversaw strategic governance for evaluating, prioritizing, and funding technology investments. I implemented a reporting framework for clear accountability between business sponsors and agile delivery teams, enhancing the likelihood of achieving business outcomes. I led IT governance activities to ensure compliance with delivery standards and improve overall IT project portfolio management maturity. I oversaw the estimation framework for project planning and refinement based on historical data and continuous improvement efforts. I researched and assessed products, vendors, and emerging technologies to recommend solutions that drive value and competitive advantage. I provided leadership and vision to foster a productive Enterprise Project Management Office.• Ensured smooth transition of products and services to business owners for long-term management and execution.• Directed Enterprise PMO, while overseeing strategic planning, development, and execution of technology-related goals and initiatives.• Established and integrated project management expectations across business areas to facilitate strategic decision-making between technology and business sectors.• Managed and coached PMO team in executing portfolio and project lifecycles, analyzing complex business and technology issues, and achieving departmental and project goals within budget constraints. Show less I spearheaded the modernization of HBFF's marketing, creating a strong foundation for ongoing advancements in technology and digital content management.• Provided comprehensive oversight and strategic direction to all initiatives encompassed within the Digital Delivery Model and Website Rebuild program at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.• Implemented Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Digital Delivery Program to support key elements of the 2020 corporate strategic plan, including Prevention, Innovation, Growth, Leadership, Performance - Workforce, and Partners. Show less

  • Enterprise PMO Director

    Jan 2022 - Nov 2023

  • Digital Delivery Program Consultant

    Feb 2020 - Jan 2022
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  State of MN @UI DEED

  Dec 2023 - now

  Strategic Projects Consultant

  I provide strategic guidance for corporate technology projects, ensuring that they are in line with objectives. I stay relevant in a range of areas to ensure long-term growth and profitability. I actively engage stakeholders to promote collaboration and consensus. I lead the creation of customer-centric business models and verify that they are in line with project objectives. • Enabled seamless execution of program and project goals through effective facilitation.• Upheld the highest ethical standards in delivering projects that exceed client expectations. • Exhibited proficiency in conflict resolution and negotiation to advance key business interests. Show less