Kai Miller, CSA

Experience

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  Reading Eagle Company

  Jan 1995 - Jan 1998

  Support Staff/Intern
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  KidsWay, Inc.

  Jan 1998 - Jan 2000

  Senior Editor, YoungBiz Magazine
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  InDyne, Inc.

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2004

  Electronic Forms Manager
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  Hi Frequency Marketing

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2001

  Web Director
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  NASA Headquarters

  Aug 2004 - Jul 2006

  Communication Specialist

  As part of the founding outreach team serving NASA’s Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, I created and implemented strategic communications activities to engage both NASA’s staff as well as the general public, specializing in youth and underserved populations. ESMD’s focus was NASA’s return to the moon and continued exploration to Mars. To further the awareness of this mission, we developed a wide array of multimedia products in collaboration with non-traditional partners, including public service announcements developed by young, independent filmmakers; an exploration-focused episode of Trading Spaces: Boys vs. Girls; innovative maps of space-related landmarks in DC, Cocoa Beach, and Houston; and a traveling, fully interactive exhibit showcasing the moon and Mars as destinations. Show less

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  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

  Oct 2006 - Jul 2017

  Ensured that the Office of Information and Technology (OI&T) operated at peak capability through direct support of CIO as well as the management of key processes and services including strategic planning, operations, HR, internal and external communications, and team management.Key initiatives included: Supported CIO in establishing technology roadmap and new pathfinding organizational functions: Enterprise Program Management Office (EPMO), Account Management, Data Management, and Strategic Sourcing. Also established strategic communications office and an employee engagement team. Several of these services later became best practices or models within VA. Completed OI&T strategic plan updates for 2017, including content, design, and distribution.Led interaction with Presidential Agency Review Team (ART), providing content and presentation materials as well as interaction strategy with ART members. The comprehensive approach led to the most successful engagement with the ART at VA.Reevaluated OI&T strategic and transition plans following presidential transition and according to the 100-day priorities. Received substantial praise from Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for improved audit process and communication.Recognized and analyzed needs for crisis communications strategy and developed VA’s only documented crisis communication plan. Led print and digital publication of Year-End Review, the first published in OI&T. Distributed to Congress, media, and internal/external stakeholders. Analyzed all OI&T processes and resources for alignment to IT Information Library structure as well as multi-disciplinary education and outreach campaign. OI&T was the largest federal IT organization to adopt ITIL. Conducted all tasks associated with transition of CIO to acting CIO due to change in administration. Implemented change management plans for multiple divisions within OI&T experiencing heavy restructuring. Show less Originated role of centralized strategic communications director for Presidential appointee Chief Information Officer (CIO), responsible for establishing, staffing, and leading the first strategic communications team in VA’s IT organization’s history through a time of significant organizational change. VA’s Office of the CIO is the largest technology organization in the federal government, with over 16,000 reporting personnel and a budget of $4.3B. Supported CIO in the comprehensive analysis of VA IT history, background, and challenges, and subsequent development of IT Enterprise strategy, a transformative plan to redesign the technology organization. Consolidated seven existing support contracts reaching a budget in excess of $12.5M into a single acquisition strategy. Identify opportunities for improved execution and streamlined processes, resulting in an estimated cost savings of $3.5M. Developed IT Strategic Communications plan, the first of its kind at VA, an outcomes-based and full year execution strategy including monthly planned messaging, quantitative assessment, approach to continuous improvement, and selection of most appropriate tactical vehicles. The plan is now in use as a template across VA for effective communications planning and execution.Supported CIO in the analysis, development, logistical coordination, and execution of customized leadership training program. Like all other components of the strategic communications responsibilities, this type of development program is the first of its kind at VA. Within first two quarters, qualitative assessment mechanisms indicate positive advance. Managed full lifecycle of preparation and execution of all external CIO appearances, spanning speaking engagements, conferences, media broadcasts and publications, as well as Congressional and oversight hearings and testimony.Led planning and execution of all employee engagement. Show less Product Development (PD) provides all software development services to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Information and Technology (OIT) and is the largest application development organization in the federal government with a $1.3B budget and nearly 1,000 employees. I established the Communications Service and developed and maintain a diverse suite of communications products and vehicles, all evaluated routinely for reach and success, in support of PD’s 300+ project teams. I lead a team of both government employees and contractors to provide strategic communication planning, implementation, and tactical consultation to all PD staff on behalf of the Deputy CIO.After beginning with VA as a contractor specializing in the health IT organization in 2006, I became a government employee and manager in 2009. Show less

  • Chief of Staff, Office of Information and Technology

    Jun 2016 - Jul 2017

  • Director, IT Strategic Communication

    Oct 2015 - Jun 2017

  • Director of Communications and Executive Support for Product Development

    Oct 2006 - Oct 2015
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  Graystone Farm, LLC

  Jul 2017 - Jan 2020

  Owner and CEO

  Implemented leadership, coaching, and strategic communication services for organizations of various sizes and industries. Provided hands-on, innovative, immediately applicable services, including: Strategic communications planningOrganizational transformation developmentOrganizational change management development and implementationTechnology compliance and oversightTechnical writingContent developmentUser analysis and focused assessment of web presenceDigital marketing strategy, guidance, and management Show less

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  Emerald One, LLC

  Jan 2020 - now

  Chief Experience Officer

  Emerald One is a 100% Woman-Owned Small Business focused on closing the gap between IT strategy and execution. We specialize in leading organizations through digital transformation, turning leaders’ goals into accomplishments. Blending our proprietary Elements of Brilliance™ with proven strategies and tools for continuous measurement and improvement, we tailor every solution to our executive clients' needs, leadership style, and organizational culture to drive success and sustainability. As Chief Experience Officer (CxO), I lead Emerald One's identity, strategic communications, and customer success initiatives and guide our executive clients in these areas as they pursue their strategic goals. I leverage my experience as a federal chief of staff to provide executive-level coaching and advisory services and lead our delivery team in developing and implementing comprehensive organizational strategies.Emerald One's Service Areas:Acquisition AlignmentResource Value MaximizationExecutive Communication and CoachingWe value: KnowledgeFree-thinkingAuthenticityDiversity and Inclusion Show less