Amanda Holst

Amanda HolsT, Ph.D-  Saratoga, CA  -  linkedin.com/in/amanda-l-holst-74ba7015/ Strategic and results-driven Master Level Program Manager with extensive experience leading complex, cross-organizational transformation initiatives, driving enterprise-wide program execution, and managing business case development to benefit realization. Proven ability to partner with executive stakeholders, influence multi-functional teams, and oversee large-scale strategic projects in fast-paced, global organizations. Adept at navigating ambiguity, aligning IT and business strategies, optimizing processes, and ensuring successful program delivery while managing multiple high-impact initiatives simultaneously. ­­­­­PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE CISCO SYSTEMSJanuary 2023- November-2024 Senior Operations, Program Manager, Corporate AI Strategy, Developer Relations Senior Content Strategy, Operations Manager, DevRel Content Strategic Planning & Business Transformation Led enterprise-wide transformation initiatives, ensuring strategic alignment with corporate objectives, business cases, and change management frameworks to drive measurable outcomes. Developed and implemented scalable program management frameworks, optimizing execution workflows and enhancing operational efficiency by 25%. Designed and operationalized KPIs, OKRs, and value realization metrics, enabling data-driven decision-making, resource allocation, and performance tracking. Spearheaded change management strategies, ensuring seamless adoption of new technologies, automation solutions, and best practices across global teams. Influenced executive leadership, providing strategic insights, risk assessments, and program impact updates to drive company-wide transformation goals. Program & Operations Management Led large-scale, cross-functional programs across technology, operations, and enterprise strategy, ensuring seamless execution and adoption. Optimized resource planning, financial forecasting, and operational efficiencies, improving on-time project delivery by 30% and resource utilization by 35%. Spearheaded process improvements and automation initiatives, reducing bottlenecks and increasing scalability across transformation efforts. Managed vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and service agreements, ensuring alignment with strategic program goals and financial targets. Established and enforced governance frameworks, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and compliance policies, driving operational excellence and adherence to best practices. Enterprise Portfolio & Change Management Led high-visibility transformation portfolios, integrating digital strategy, organizational change, and process optimization to drive enterprise-wide impact. Defined and executed change management strategies, ensuring seamless adoption of new business processes, automation solutions, and operational enhancements. Partnered with executive leadership, IT, and business teams to align program execution with strategic companywide objectives. Provided hands-on leadership and program oversight, ensuring timely execution of milestones, proactive risk management, and benefits realization. Stakeholder Engagement & Performance Optimization Served as a trusted advisor to executive teams, driving alignment between transformation initiatives and enterprise business priorities. Led quarterly planning sessions, stakeholder alignment meetings, and executive briefings, ensuring transparency and data-driven decision-making. Collected, analyzed, and delivered executive-level reports on program performance, resource allocation, and business impact using structured reporting dashboards (Power BI). Developed and delivered training sessions, executive presentations, and knowledge-sharing workshops, increasing adoption and long-term engagement in transformation initiatives. CISCO SYSTEMS April 2021- December 2022 Communication Program Manager | Digital Marketing & Web Strategy Program & Stakeholder Management Led cross-functional engagement, ensuring seamless collaboration across Product, UX, Engineering, and Marketing teams to align priorities and streamline execution for Web projects. Developed and implemented dependency mapping frameworks, integrating software, hardware, and content deliverables within product and Web development cycles. Managed Agile project planning, backlog grooming, and sprint execution, enhancing resource forecasting and increasing go-to-market efficiency. Established UX process governance, improving design accuracy, stakeholder visibility, and prioritization efficiency in product development. Served as the primary liaison between UX, Engineering, and Product teams, ensuring alignment of business and technical roadmaps with strategic campaign deployment objectives. Provided executive-level reporting, delivering real-time insights into program performance, operational efficiency, and risk management strategies. Process Optimization & Risk Management Led process automation initiatives, optimizing Web and product launch deployments, reducing bottlenecks, and improving operational efficiency. Managed vendor relationships and contractor engagements, overseeing negotiations, budget execution, and service operations optimization. Implemented risk mitigation frameworks, proactively identifying blockers, managing interdependencies, and driving structured issue resolution. Optimized content lifecycle management, ensuring seamless integration with CMS/DAM platforms to streamline workflow automation. Drove change management initiatives, implementing scalable solutions to support global and remote teams, improving operational efficiency. Technical Program Management & Operations Refined JIRA workflows and Agile methodologies, enhancing backlog management, resource forecasting, and execution velocity. Developed structured knowledge-sharing initiatives, ensuring early adoption of new tools, templates, and best practices across teams. Maintained program roadmaps, tracking project milestones and ensuring alignment with business priorities and customer success objectives. Led integrated marketing programs, improving digital strategy alignment by 20% and enhancing user experience delivery by 30%. Leadership & Cross-Functional Alignment Managed enterprise-wide initiatives, ensuring on-time, within-scope, and on-budget delivery of large-scale branding and corporate marketing programs. Developed process governance models, increasing accountability, compliance, and standardization across Engineering, Data Science, and Operations teams. Influenced cross-functional adoption and negotiated program trade-offs, aligning strategic objectives with business priorities without direct authority. Mentored and trained teams in Agile best practices, increasing sprint efficiency, stakeholder engagement, and business alignment by 25%. CISCO SYSTEMS May 2019- April 2021 Digital Content Project Manager, Content Marketing, Digital Marketing Digital Marketing & Content Operations Led end-to-end content strategy and editorial operations, managing the lifecycle of digital assets, blogs, and contractor-created content, ensuring regulatory compliance and business alignment. Optimized CMS and DAM workflows, integrating metadata tagging, automation, and data pipelines to improve content discoverability, governance, and operational efficiency. Implemented Agile methodologies for digital content execution, enhancing cross-functional collaboration across Engineering, Marketing, and Product teams to accelerate project delivery. Managed content operations for high-profile product launches, overseeing SEO optimization, AI-generated content distribution, and audience engagement strategies in alignment with business goals. Program & Project Management Developed and enforced editorial governance frameworks, ensuring SEO best practices, accessibility compliance, and content structuring to maximize visibility and performance. Executed audience research and editorial calendar management, overseeing the production of 25+ blogs per month, increasing organic traffic and engagement by 20%. Created and maintained structured project roadmaps, utilizing Gantt charts, stakeholder maps, and program artifacts to ensure clear milestones and seamless collaboration. Facilitated executive status meetings, delivering data-driven performance insights, risk mitigation strategies, and strategic alignment updates to leadership teams. Process Optimization & Leadership Drove continuous process improvements, leveraging analytics to enhance content workflows, editorial quality, and operational efficiency. Led change management initiatives, implementing scalable solutions to streamline operations and enhance cross-functional team effectiveness. Mentored and coached junior project managers, fostering execution excellence and improving cross-functional collaboration and program adoption. Spearheaded a large-scale blog redesign and content migration project, optimizing site structure, navigation, and CMS integration, resulting in a 35% improvement in user experience and engagement. COMCAST SILICON VALLEY August 2017-March 2019 Project Administrator Program & AI-Driven Operations Management Led cross-functional program execution, aligning Engineering, Product, and Design teams to streamline workflows, enhance efficiency, and accelerate go-to-market strategies. Developed and implemented risk mitigation frameworks, proactively identifying, tracking, and resolving software release challenges to ensure seamless automation integration. Managed Agile sprint planning, backlog grooming, and prioritization, driving operational scalability and workflow automation to improve execution velocity. Optimized cross-functional collaboration, reducing workflow inefficiencies, enhancing stakeholder communication, and improving remote/global team coordination. Oversaw high-impact, large-scale transformation programs, ensuring standardized execution, process optimization, and measurable business outcomes. Operations Optimization & Process Improvement Led business process optimization initiatives, leveraging Lean, Six Sigma, and automation strategies to improve efficiency and resource utilization. Facilitated enterprise-wide strategic initiatives, driving cost savings, program scalability, and execution effectiveness across multiple workstreams. Developed structured accountability frameworks, establishing ownership alignment, governance models, and real-time performance tracking dashboards. Provided executive-level reporting, delivering strategic insights into project milestones, risk management, and performance metrics to senior leadership. Managed vendor relationships and partner coordination, ensuring alignment, quality control, and execution strategies, leading to a 15% increase in operational efficiency. Optimized workflow execution and data-driven decision-making, leveraging JIRA, Confluence, and Agile methodologies to enhance program visibility and team productivity. ADVANTECH CORPORATION November 2016-August 2019 Senior Marketing Specialist Strategic Marketing & Go-To-Market Execution Led end-to-end B2B digital marketing campaigns, increasing campaign effectiveness by 30% across multiple digital platforms. Developed and executed data-driven SEO and SEM strategies, boosting lead generation by 40% and enhancing stakeholder engagement. Collaborated with product managers to define and implement product lifecycle strategies, ensuring seamless go-to-market execution, product launches, and sustained growth. Managed IT Asset Management (ITAM) processes, tracking and optimizing hardware assets to improve resource allocation and operational efficiency. Optimized vendor partnerships and global marketing strategies, aligning cross-border teams to enhance user experience by 25% through integrated digital initiatives. THINKTANK LEARNING September 2015- October 2016 Senior Marketing Manager & Business Development Manager Strategic Marketing & Program Management Developed and executed multi-channel marketing campaigns, increasing customer engagement by 20% and enhancing brand positioning through targeted digital, print, and media strategies. Managed high-priority corporate marketing programs, ensuring on-time execution, strategic alignment, and performance optimization across multiple platforms. Led cross-functional collaboration across Product, Design, Sales, and Marketing teams, driving strategic roadmaps and aligning complex marketing initiatives. Optimized vendor partnerships and procurement processes, implementing cost-saving initiatives and performance-driven strategies, resulting in a 25% improvement in marketing efficiency and ROI. Business Development & B2B Growth Strategy Drove B2B acquisitions and corporate partnerships, expanding market reach by 30% through targeted outreach, strategic alliances, and data-driven lead generation. Identified and secured high-value business opportunities, increasing market penetration by 25% through competitive analysis and market segmentation. Enhanced customer retention and loyalty strategies, leading to a 20% increase in customer satisfaction and long-term engagement. Leveraged data-driven insights and sales enablement tools, resulting in an 8% revenue growth boost through targeted B2B marketing initiatives. Digital Engagement & Marketing Operations Optimization Developed and executed marketing campaigns, leveraging personalized content strategies and to increase customer engagement by 20%. Designed and maintained strategic marketing roadmaps, ensuring seamless campaign execution and lead conversion growth through optimized workflows. Implemented marketing automation tools and streamlined campaign operations, improving productivity, execution timelines, and operational efficiency. Utilized performance analytics (Google Analytics, HubSpot) to track campaign success, optimize content strategies, and drive data-informed marketing decisions. Education Consultant, B2B Aquisitions -) Proactively developed and closed business relationships, expanding market reach by 30% and forging strategic alliances to drive growth. Identified and explored partnership opportunities, enhancing product offerings and increasing market penetration by 25%. Strengthened the organization's reputation and brand loyalty by consistently adding value and meeting customer needs, contributing to a 20% improvement in customer retention. Collaborated with internal teams and marketing staff to generate sales leads, leveraging marketing insights to boost sales opportunities and support revenue growth objectives, resulting in an 8% increase in sales. ACES ABAOctober 2013- April 2016 Behavioral Interventionist Implemented Positive Behavior Support Systems using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), resulting in a 35% improvement in effective behavior management for children with autism and other developmental disorders. Designed individualized curricula and intervention strategies, improving early behavioral intervention outcomes by 30% and ensuring consistent communication between clients, parents, and supervisors. Demonstrated superior communication skills, increasing stakeholder understanding of complex strategies by 20% and providing in-depth support both in-home and on-site, fostering personalized growth and development for each child by 35%. EMARKETING VS August 2011- April 2015 Online Email Project Manager, Content Marketing Manager, Chief Editor Led B2B content marketing initiatives, driving traffic, engagement, and lead generation, resulting in a 20% increase in sales and customer retention. Managed editorial and SEO-optimized content strategies, overseeing weekly email campaigns (Constant Contact) and executing targeted marketing initiatives across digital platforms. Collaborated with internal stakeholders and external agencies to develop key performance metrics, track campaign success, and analyze performance data, improving online channel effectiveness by 25%. Established editorial governance frameworks, ensuring brand consistency, high-quality content standards, and strategic oversight of large-scale corporate marketing initiatives. Mentored and managed content editing teams, ensuring consistent quality, messaging, and alignment with corporate objectives across all digital channels. Social Media Manager, LMS Course Instructor, Writer Developed and delivered online learning curricula, ensuring effective course execution, student engagement, and alignment with educational objectives within the LMS system. Served as an instructor for Social Media Editor/Publisher courses, delivering interactive, practical training to 8-10 students per session on social media marketing, content publishing, and digital engagement strategies. Utilized interactive lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and focused instruction, improving student engagement and skill development by 20% through real-world applications of social media strategy. EDUCATION Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Organizational Management – Indiana Institute of Technology (2024) Master of Science, Psychology – Indiana Institute of Technology (2017) Bachelor of Science, Magazine Journalism- San Jose State University (2014) Bachelor of Science, Nutrition Education- San Jose State University (2014) Associates in Arts, Liberal Arts, Natural Science and Mathematics- Mission College (2011) CERTIFICATION Six Sigma Black Belt- Management and Strategy Institute - Lean Culture Certified- Management and Strategy Institute- Dissertation to Publication Workshop Target Journals Digital Badge- University of Phoenix- DTP F2024-TJ Hubspot Inbound Marketing Certification- Hubspot HubSpot Marketing Software- Hubspot Multi AI Agent Systems with crewAI- Coursea, DeepLearning.AI Essentials of Prompt Engineering- AWS, Coursea CORE COMPETENCIES Program & Project Management Agile & Scrum Methodologies. End-to-End Program Execution Capacity Planning & Resource Optimization Risk Mitigation & Issue Resolution JIRA & Project Tracking Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership Executive-Level Communication Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement SKILLS INVENTORY Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership Process Optimization & Change Management Cross-Functional Leadership Process Optimization Stakeholder Management Process Improvement Negotiation & Persuasion Six-Sigma Black Belt Approaches Program & Project Management Change Management Agile and Lean methodologies Technical & Tools Proficiency Task Management MS Office, Google Productivity Vendor/Stakeholder Management JIRA, Grasp of Engineering Terminology Strategic Planning & Execution Innovative Thinking Data-Driven Decision Making & Analytics Results-Oriented Data Analytics & Business Insights Market Research & Analytics Integrated Scheduling Dependency Mapping KEY ACHIEVEMENTS Successfully managed program budgets exceeding $1M, ensuring financial compliance and strategic allocation. Spearheaded enterprise-wide initiatives, enhancing cross-functional collaboration and increasing efficiency by 40%. Led a high-visibility campaign launch strategy program, delivering measurable business impact and aligning initiatives with corporate objectives. Designed and executed new program development frameworks, resulting in a 20% improvement in program efficiency. US PATENTS (PENDING) Capturing the Behavioral Signature of Polymorphic Malware Using Generative AI (August 2024) AI Taster to Orchestrate Load-balancing between AI and non-AI Compute (August 2024) AI-Based Honeypot to Mitigate Social Engineering CyberAttack (July 2023) Tracking Network Devices in a Circular Economy with Green Passports (July 2023) PUBLICATIONS Federated Learning-Enhanced Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) Generation-Defensive Publication (June 2024) Perceived Sensemaking and Communication Effectiveness in Complex AI/ML Environments: A Quantitative Study on Software Engineers in Multinational Companies- Dissertation of the Year Award, Proquest (May 2024) Biometric Privacy and Policy Orchestration for Multi-VR/AR Systems- Defensive Publication (March 2024) Passport Immigration Control for Digital Citizens Travelling Between Metaverses- Defensive Publication (June 2023) Finding a Moral Compass: Grounded Theory Research on Ethical Leadership Training for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) - Springer, Handbook of Engaged Sustainability (August 2021) Assessing the Motivation and Barriers of Parent-Implemented Interventions for Selective Eating and Mealtime Behavior in Children Affected with Autism - McNair Scholar Journal (May 2015) Additional samples upon request (SHiFT Magazine, Student Health Magazine, Washington Square Magazine, The Metro, SJSU blog, Have Your Cake and Eat it Too blog)