Donna Nielsen, PMP
Project Management · Business Process Design · Technology Integration
10070 Kinross Road, Roswell, GA 30076
(770) 663-8600, Donna@DonnaNielsen.com

Executive Summary

· Detail-oriented business professional with more than 20 years intersecting information systems and business operations.
· Effective project leader with 10+ years of direct experience leading large-scale corporate and international projects that align business and technology processes and systems. 
· Skill sets maintained and updated by advanced training including Project Management Professional (PMI) Certification and Master’s Certificate in Project Management for Information Technology.
· An integrated thinker who excels at working with cross-functional teams and has a gifted ability to translate and communicate complex technical subjects to technical and non-technical business audiences. 
· Clear and concise communicator who manages expectations and keeps stakeholders informed and engaged to achieve business results with minimal disruption to business.
· Intuitive ability to identify root causes of problems, test and implement effective and sustainable solutions and map to measurable business outcomes.
· Talent for documenting workflow processes, presenting information and training end users in a thorough but easily understood format. 
· A quiet and methodical leader who navigates easily across cultures, and communicates a strong understanding and appreciation for diversity.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Gemstone Consulting, Principal/Senior Consultant, 2003-present
Independent consulting for small business and non-profit clients focused on business process, financial/accounting processes and system/technology selection and integration.

· Launched and managed SB Web providing web-based solutions for 12+ small business clients representing banking, consumer products, non-profit, manufacturing, medical, and travel/hospitality.
· Designed and maintain internet based communication tools for Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross.  Also member of the technology and telecom team for Disaster Response.
· Founded Laotian America Society which provides business and technology consulting for non-profits and Asian community small businesses.
 

CONTRACT ASSIGNMENTS, Independent Consultant, Atlanta, GA, 1999-2003
Six-12 month contract engagements in business process, technology and services support.

· Defined business operations processes, evaluated and recommended technology systems and applications, negotiated contracts and managed technology vendors for MindShift Technology, a start-up subscription computing company.
· Served as technology and computer support subject matter expert for Ivillage.com. Managed content, promotion, product direction and computer support for Web services.
· Served as Interim Director of Information Technology for Independent Wireless One (Sprint). Supported strategic technology planning and implementation for enterprise systems (financial/billing systems, customer care and marketing, network and infrastructure). Managed cross-functional teams intersecting customer-service, marketing/sales and engineering.
· Member of Business Continuity Team for BellSouth Communications to establish business operating standards and quality assurance program for Y2K contingency planning.  

GTE, Atlanta, GA, 1995-1999
The largest independent telecommunications company in US; acquired by Bell Atlantic and renamed Verizon Communication in 2000. 
Director, Information Systems (1997-1999).

· As a result of multiple acquisitions, oversaw multiple billing and point of sale systems supporting 500 wireless retail stores, four call centers and over five million customers.
· Managed $7M department budget, core team of 12 professionals, four major vendors (EDS, AllTel, InfoCell and AlphaMicro) and 100+ contractors in three states to deliver information systems support, including: application development and maintenance; configuration management and quality assurance (QA); system implementations, migrations and conversions; user support and 7x24 hour help desk; production operations; vendor management, contract negotiations and contract management.

Project Manager, Information Technology (1995 – 1997)

· Established the pilot Project Management Office, the company’s first standardized project management practice, which enabled the technology team to consolidate and lead projects to measurable outcomes. 
· Led multiple cross-functional teams in marketing, sales and finance on more than 12 enterprise technology projects assuring on time, on budget delivery.
· Developed new levels of discipline and accountability, created appropriate sponsorship and project charters while managing internal customer expectations and improving quality project delivery.
· Led comprehensive data project to identify and track non-billed revenue in areas such as roaming, account upgrades and service modifications to minimize revenue leakage which saved more than $5M annually.
· Worked as core member of cross-functional team to establish industry standards for Cellular Digital Packet Data; served as wireless technology subject matter expert to sales/marketing for customer presentations.
· Represented carrier at industry forums to define standards and assure conformance for newly emerging wireless technology.

MCGRAW-Hill, DATA PRO, Editor, Mobile and Wireless, 1995
Electronic publishing division of one of nation’s largest publishing companies.

· Joined McGraw-Hill to set editorial direction and support launch of new industry publication.
· Authored articles for publication for international telecommunications newsletters and other sister publications (Financial Times).
· Researched/presented papers on carriers, vendors, market direction and new technologies. 
· Established and developed relationships with industry contacts, carriers and vendors. Represented publication at industry forums and conferences.

EDS, Senior Project Manager, 1990-1994
EDS served as the technology transfer partner (with global telecommunications providers) to establish business processes and technology integration for new wireless telecommunications entities/businesses.

· Served as account manager and business consultant to major carrier accounts (PacTel, AirTouch, Southwestern Bell, Bell Atlantic); provided strategic planning, requirements definitions, operational audits and value-determinations.
· Managed international cellular business projects to build business and technology infrastructure for new wireless telecom companies in Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Germany, Russia, Argentina, Mexico, China, and Southeast Asia.
· Responsible for establishing and developing customer relationships (pre- and post-sales); served as telecom subject matter expert; contributed to new client acquisition via proposal generation, project cost estimates and scheduling, contract negotiations, and customer presentations.

Education

Project Management Professional certification, Project Management Institute, 2006
System Dynamics for Sr. Executives, MIT, Sloan School of Management, 1999
Leading Technical Professionals, MIT, Sloan School of Management, 1999
Master’s, Project Management of Information Technology, George Washington University, 1997
Bachelor of Arts, Communications and Media, Simmons College, 1984

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Business assignments in Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Germany, Russia, Argentina, Mexico, China, Southeast Asia.  Extensive personal international travel to Thailand, Laos and China.

NON-PROFIT AND COMMUNUNITY LEADERSHIP

Laotian American Society, Founder, 2003-present
Atlanta Red Cross, Technology and Telecom Team, Disaster Response, 2005-present
-- Volunteer, New Hampshire & Oklahoma Floods (2007), Lebanon Evacuees (2006), Katrina (2005)
-- Volunteer, Emergency Communications Response Vehicle Training/License, 2007
United Way Nonprofit Executive Board Training, 2005
Fulton County Emergency Operations Training, 2005
Laotian Buddhist Temple, Project Manager and Volunteer Support, 2005
Hands On Atlanta, Technology and Volunteer Project Management, 2002