Offer Development Expert at Schneider Electric
Can you briefly help us understand your current role? In my current role, I am in Offer/Product Development specifically focusing on tools to improve our internal processes and validation testing.
What three words best describe you? Driven, Enthusiastic, and Dedicated
How did you get into project management? My first role after getting my degree was working for the corporate office of a small, woman-owned government contractor that provided operations and maintenance services throughout the US. I supported a diverse group of project managers and managed phase-in activities for new projects. Later, I moved into a Program Manager role in a global manufacturing plant. When I relocated here to St. Louis, I was offered a Project (Order) Manager role with Schneider Electric.
What has been the most exciting project you've worked on? I think to me, the more challenging the work is the more exciting it is, and while I have faced many challenging projects, I would say that my newest role in offer development on our EcoCare Offer has been the most exciting as we iterate in an agile scrum environment and I must release portions of offers and anticipate the change management needs. It is very rewarding to have the continued challenge to enhance and improve, while navigating the enhancements, yet changes in our internal tools and processes. It is great to work with amazing teams in our organization to challenge our current ways of working and innovating as we grow.
How has project management been important to your organization? Project management impacts every area of our organization. We are a very large organization and require many types of project and program management. Even in our agile teams, project management plays a huge role in how we build systems and manage our work.
What is the single most crucial skill you look for in a project manager? I would say the key to successful project management is the ability to collaborate. Collaboration is essential for any project, for all facets of the organization. There are many skills that you can be taught, but understanding how to collaborate with others is not as easily learned. You must know how to encourage, inspire, and lead others that you typically do not have “traditional authority” over.
What is the best project management punchline you've heard? The tag line that I always lead by is, “What can we do right now for the best outcome moving forward?” I find that often times things do not go as originally planned and you are faced with the challenge of what should I do now, and 9 out of 10 times someone on the team will make an excuse or point another team’s failure for how we arrived in the situation, and my goal a leader is to focus on what we CAN do to achieve the best outcome from this moment. Then I will document and address the “why” and lessons learned for the issue after we have pivoted to achieve the best outcome.
What historical project do you wish you could have worked on? Pass
What is most rewarding about projects? I think of everything as a project and an opportunity to achieve something, so I think it is that sense of accomplishment once a project is complete. And having that in your “pocket” for things you know you can handle in the future.
What is one fun fact we should know about you? Fun Fact is I LOVE fun facts and love to find out others’ fun facts, but somehow when I am asked- I still struggle haha. I guess one of my fun facts is that I loved shop, welding, small power mechanics, electrical, and all of those types of classes growing up, and I was actually raised on what I now know is called a Homestead (before that was a well-known term). I grew up helping do our own plumbing, electrical, and carpentry work. We had natural spring water and natural gas on our property, so we maintained it all ourselves. I think growing up in this way gave me a “can do” resourceful attitude. So I love teaching others when I have time and have offered woodworking classes in the St. Louis County area, etc. I love demystifying things and unlocking others potential to do things themselves whether that is using power tools or PowerPoint! <3
