Expert Details
Organizational Development, Leadership Development, Creativity & Innovation, Diversity & Inclusion
ID: 720465
Maryland, USA
She applies the theory and methods of anthropology to practical real world problems, both for business and non-profits. Specifically she specializes in unstructured and semi-structured ethnographic and qualitative approaches to understand people, organizations and programs. The understandings can involve behavior, habits and rituals, values, beliefs and perceptions as well as the context and systems that humans are immersed in (Industrial, institutional, social, cultural).
ETHNOGRAPHY. Expert uses qualitative research methods derived from anthropology. These approaches, known as ethnographic methods (participant observation, observation, formal and informal interviewing, and focus groups) are used to understand customer, consumer and user needs, problems, and desires. Ethnography helps to understand the context of customer problems and to understand the meanings and behaviors of customers, whether they be individuals or businesses.
Expert facilitates collaborative and group approaches to creating or revisiting the strategic vision and direction for the organization. She has lead these processes for both corporate and non-profit clients. Outcomes include clear strategic direction, new vision and mission statements, clear priorities for setting the next goals and objectives. She helps groups reach consensus and to make decisions. She also helps groups shift their perspective and thinking to catch up with current dynamics in the environment and market. This enables the groups to respond proactively to the changing context.
As a facilitator trained in group problem solving and appreciative inquiry processes, Expert has led cross-functional teams in activities ranging from deliberate team building sessions for new teams to project-focused sessions for existing teams. She has consulted and provided advise in team formation and member selection. The objectives of these sessions have included creating vision and mission statements; defining team goals, objectives, roles, and responsibilities; developing rules, norms of behavior, or values within the team; setting expectations; and agreeing to measurements of success. She also uses various exercises to build relationships and to help teams bond.
Expert has facilitated numerous ideation sessions, ranging in length from a half day to three days, for the purpose of generating and developing new product or service ideas for profit and nonprofit organizations. She has worked with groups in the pharmaceutical, credit card, art gallery, food, toy, cosmetics, insurance, banking, telecommunications, utilities, film, and airlines industries. The sessions Expert facilitates not only shorten and compress the time of early-stage product development, but also result in new strategic directions and new business opportunities. For example, one highly successful project in the beverage industry resulted in a turnaround for an existing business that was experiencing a decline in sales. Ideas for line extensions, new packaging, and promotions were generated and agreed to by decision-makers on the team. This led to rapid implementation and momentum for continued action over a period of years.
Expert has worked extensively in the "fuzzy front end" of product development on processes the initial stage of a phase gate process. She has facilitated processes that use combinations of both internal and external experts and customers to develop strategic directions for product development, understand customer needs, examine trends and market changes for anticipating new opportunities, develop multiple methods for idea generation, plan for the iterations necessary for idea development, and for screening and evaluation of ideas.
For a regional utility company, Expert developed, screened, and evaluated ideas using a stage gate process. This effort included building business cases or kill recommendations for individual concepts and recommending modifications to the stage gate process as needed.
Expert has conducted short seminars and extended training sessions in the areas of creativity enhancement and creative problem solving. These sessions require the use of actual business problems so the training can be used immediately to generate creative or innovative solutions to current issues. She is experienced with helping individuals learn the techniques of "thinking outside the box." This includes understanding the concept of whole brain thinking and learning methods such as Six Hats, image streaming, and improvisational theater techniques. Expert is trained in the co-active coaching method of the Coaches Institute. Coaching helps individuals attain personal and professional goals, remove creative blocks and achieve greater success. She coaches in areas such as professional and personal growth, mentoring or managing others, career transitions, and enhancing creativity.
Education
Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
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Year: 2000 | Degree: MAA | Subject: Applied Anthropology | Institution: University of Maryland |
Year: 1990 | Degree: BS | Subject: Economics | Institution: The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania |
Work History
Years | Employer | Title | Department |
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Years: 2010 to 2013 | Employer: Booz Allen Hamilton | Title: Associate | Department: |
Responsibilities:Government facing consulting to IRS, FDA, EPA, DHS in areas of change management, communications, strategic change. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 2007 to 2010 | Employer: Center for Leadership and Organizational Change | Title: Organizational Development | Department: |
Responsibilities:The Center for Leadership and Organizational Change is an internal, self-supporting consulting group serving academic and administrative units with strategic planning, coaching, training and conflict resolution. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 1998 to 2006 | Employer: Innovation Focus | Title: Principal | Department: |
Responsibilities:Aha Solutions, a sole proprietorship (Maryland MBE certified) focused on diversity consulting, training and coaching. Clients include FDIC, USDA, FDA, Gillette, Landmark Society of NY, Barr Foundation. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 2002 to 2010 | Employer: Korn Ferry | Title: Diversity & Inclusion Trainer and Coach | Department: |
Responsibilities:Formerly Global Novations, a global talent development firm serving Fortune 500’s for the development of a high performance workforce. Clients include Capital One, Entergy, Procter & Gamble, Deloitte, GSK, Freddie Mac, PepsiAmericas. Designed and delivered diversity programming. Coached high potential women and people of color |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 2013 to 2018 | Employer: Lockheed Martin | Title: Leadership Development Program Manager | Department: |
Responsibilities:Available upon request. |
Government Experience
Years | Agency | Role | Description |
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Years: 2003 to 2009 | Agency: USDA | Role: Speaker | Description: Has presented numerous keynotes and workshops for diversity and civil rights conferences |
Years: 2006 to 2006 | Agency: FDIC | Role: Keynote speaker | Description: Keynote for Asian Heritage Month |
International Experience
Years | Country / Region | Summary |
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Years: to Present | Country / Region: | Summary: While living in Shanghai, China, Expert owned and managed a furniture/carpentry business targeting foreign consulates and businesses. |
Career Accomplishments
Associations / Societies |
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Expert is a member of many associations including the AAA - American Anthropological Association, NAPA - National Association for the Practice of Anthropology, International Coaches Federation, and the National Speakers Association |
Licenses / Certifications |
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PCC (International Coach Federation) Mindfulness Facilitator Certified Master Facilitator |
Awards / Recognition |
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Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards: Gold Medal Best Use of Blended learning Category Chief Learning Officer Learning in Practice Award: Bronze Medal Excellence in Blended Learning Drylongso Award from Community Change for her diversity efforts. |
Publications and Patents Summary |
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Author, two chapters of Handbook of Practicing Anthropology, "Ax the Bamboo Ceiling, Build a New Base" Boston Women Business; “Busting the Model Minority Myth,” Sampan |
Additional Experience
Training / Seminars |
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Has provided training on understanding cultural differences, diversity, cultural competency, facilitation. |
Other Relevant Experience |
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Certified coach and has been trained by the Coaches Training Institute and the Center for Right Relationship |
Language Skills
Language | Proficiency |
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Mandarin | |
German | Understands basic German. |
Fields of Expertise
diversity, organizational development, training, anthropology, applied anthropology, ethnographic research, qualitative research, strategic planning, team building, ideation, organizational behavior, rapid product development, innovation, new product development, new product development management, stage gate process, nonprofit organization, multicultural marketing, observational research, strategic market planning, sociology, consumer focus group, marketing, skill training