Resume

Work Experience

  • May 2006-Present: Government Accountability Office
    Washington DC: Intern (May-Aug 2006); Analyst June 2007-Present
    Assisted the Congress in its oversight responsibility by reviewing program documents, conducting file reviews, interviewing relevant officials, and determining best practice standards.

    Awarded highest performance category in two bi-annual performance review; work formally and informally recognized by senior management for high quality
  • Nov 2003-Dec 2005: Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
    Washington DC: Research Assistant (Nov 2003-Dec 2005)
    Served on a team to develop data analysis and geocoding software that creates dynamic visual maps of statistical data from Federal and other sources. Developed 13 interactive statistical reports on socioeconomic issues.

    Skillful implementation put project ahead of schedule and my work contributed to a 30% increase in funding over a one year period and a broadening of scope.
  • Dec 2002-Nov 2003, The Ryan Companies, US
    Minneapolis MN: Business Development Analyst (Dec 2002-Nov 2003)
    Using proprietary and open source data, targeted industries and locations for potential growth. Worked with city government officials to develop public-private partnerships for major housing and assisted living projects in Midwest.

    Rapidly promoted from assistant to analyst position; received three citations for achieving results for clients; took the lead on major assisted living home project.

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Education

  • Project Management Institute
    Washington, DC. October 2008.
    Coursework leading to PMI certification in Project Management.
  • Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs
    New York City, NY. September 2005-May 2007.
    Master of International Affairs in Management and International Economic Policy.
  • The Hertie School of Governance
    Berlin, Germany. September-January 2006.
    Coursework in managing public-private partnerships, interim administration in failed states, organizational design, and the international defense industrial base.
  • University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
     Minneapolis, MN. Dec. 1997-May 2002. College of Liberal Arts Honors.
    Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude in International Relations.

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Project Management Experience
Two years achievement in progressively more complex project management at the Government Accountability Office, including:

  • Working with diverse stakeholders to coordinate a the first major review of Federal efforts to detect a bioterrorism attack or a naturally-occurring infectious disease outbreak; leading to several briefings for Members of Congress and supporting a major testimony on the 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak;
  • Successfully leading the audit of Department of Defense contracts valued at over $30 million contributing to the final report and resulting in a significant change in DoD policy;
  • Executing the inquiry into the planning and coordination efforts of two major Department of Homeland Security programs (US VISIT and SBInet) resulting in two highly-praised studies which laid the foundation for successive major program audits;
  • Producing a major analysis of a US Navy force realignment plan as it affects the utility infrastructure on Guam, directing the future of the audit work;
  • Effectively executing a review of an Army utilities privatization program, including leading interviews with senior Army and municipal officials, conducting contract file reviews, and composing briefing materials for senior leadership. Review led directly to major audit findings and resulted in highest performance rating during salary review.

Other experience includes:

  • Demonstrated capacity to successfully deliver complex and changing freelance web design projects for a diverse set of clients. Experience developing requirements, planning and executing designs, and completing follow-on work;
  • Building an online clearinghouse of statistical information by developing a new software program to find, analyze, and display statistical data, directly resulting in a 30% increase in grant funding;
  • Directing a study examining the effect of HIV/AIDS on the labor markets of China and India for the World Bank Institute as part of a class project.
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Data Analysis and Technology Experience
Nearly three years experience analyzing data and successfully developing software for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, including:

  • Working on a team to create DataFerrett, a Java-based program sponsored by the US Census Bureau to efficiently access demographic and socioeconomic data libraries over the Internet;
  • Developing 13 interactive programs used by Members of Congress, research institutes, and the general public which populate data from multiple sources onto a dynamically-generated web page, creating report-ready graphs, tables, and maps;
  • Parsing data from Federal, State, local, and non-profit sources to resolve disparities in collection in order to ensure data compatibility;
  • Creating training program for non-technical data users to secure critical mass of project users and contributing to increase in grant funding.

Other experience includes:

  • Developing methodology to more efficiently conduct complex contract file reviews while at the GAO, improving productivity and increasing confidence in GAO's findings;
  • Leading the data gathering and analysis phase of a testimony on challenges facing the Federal Acquisition Workforce, permitting GAO to deliver recommendations to the Congress;
  • Using open-source and proprietary data to identify growth opportunities in assisted living construction market for The Ryan Companies.

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Experience Leading People
Five years experience managing between 5 and 50 staff in support of a broad array of projects, including:

  • Coordinating logistics, managing setup, and leading over 50 staff to produce Fashion Fights Poverty, one of Washington DC's largest fashion shows. Invited to serve on the Mayor's Design Industry Roundtable to develop the creative industries in Washington;
  • Managing staff of 15 peers to produce monthly journal at GAO. Improved readership by nearly 30%, reinvigorated features section, and led the migration of the journal to a blog platform;
  • Standing for office for the Minneapolis Board of Education as the youngest candidate in the Board's history; gained the endorsement of major political parties and labor organizations; managed a 12-member campaign team; raised $20,00 for primary and general election campaign, earning 20,000 votes in a challenging election year.

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Certifications and Skills

Certifications: PMI Certified Project Manager. SECRET/SCI security clearance as of May 2008.

Languages: Fluent in French

Computer Skills

  • Five years experience with Internet standards, including CSS, HTML, XML, JavaScript and Flash;
  • Three years experience with Web 2.0 technologies, including PHP, MySQL, Wordpress and Joomla;
  • Four years experience using GIS programs (including ArcView) for data analysis and business intelligence purposes and geocoding data to manipulate on maps;
  • Five years experience using advanced statistical software including SAS, SPSS, STATA, and manipulating large datasets.