I started my career as a school counselor in New Jersey and spent 16 years in schools before moving into program management. A lot of what I learned there still applies, especially when a project’s real problem turns out to be about people rather than process.
At Capital Technology Group (CTG), I manage a federal technology modernization project for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, replacing the legacy user systems for two of its research facilities with a single cloud-based platform. The work includes data migration, role-based access control, and knowledge transfer so the lab’s own developers can maintain the system after handoff. I also provide PMO support on a DHS USCIS DevSecOps contract, where I lead Agile Scrum ceremonies and sprint planning. Across both, I handle stakeholder management, risk tracking, and client reporting with government clients, internal teams, and subcontractors.
Inside CTG, I co-chair the Agile Center of Excellence, building templates, onboarding toolkits, and training for program managers, scrum masters, and business analysts. I also designed and piloted a Transitional Manager program for new hires, interview technical candidates, and support staff through the security clearance process.
Before CTG, I worked on USAID institutional support contracts. As Senior Program Manager on a $41.6M contract with a 36-person team, I handled financial forecasting, staffing, and performance management, earned strong CPARS ratings, and led a full contract closeout within 30 days of a stop work order. Earlier, as an Operations Manager on a $95M contract, I oversaw recruitment, compliance, and HR operations, and helped manage a vendor network of more than 100 small businesses, universities, and consultants.
At the National Center for Women & IT (NCWIT), I directed a national program, managed partnerships with Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Salesforce, and secured grant funding and sponsorships. I also served as project manager for the Microsoft Guide to Inclusive Computer Science Education.
I’ve written 12 books, mostly for kids and school counselors. I was New Jersey School Counselor of the Year in 2017, and William Paterson University named me one of its “50 Alumni Under 50.” I mentor WPU students through the Pesce Family Mentoring Institute.
I hold PMP and CSPO certifications. When I’m not working, I’m usually riding rail trails on my bicycle.