Operational Ownership
Take responsibility for complex workstreams, coordinate competing priorities, and independently resolve problems that affect delivery.
Business Operations · Program Delivery · Process Improvement
Senior Operations & Program Management Leader
I lead programs, improve operational systems, and solve complex organizational challenges. With 10+ years of experience across architecture, workplace, and creative organizations, I bring structure to ambiguous work, strengthen cross-functional coordination, and turn operational challenges into sustainable processes.
Systems leadership in practice
Examples of the workflows I built, the delivery responsibilities I owned, and the independent project I’m developing.
Process & Systems Improvement
Identify inefficient workflows, establish repeatable processes, and introduce documentation, automation, and tools that improve operational consistency.
Cross-Functional Program Delivery
Connect stakeholders, schedules, dependencies, resources, and decisions to keep concurrent projects and programs moving forward.
Organizational Effectiveness
Build clear operating practices that improve visibility, accountability, knowledge sharing, and continuity across teams.
VIDA DESIGN / WORKFLOW IMPROVEMENT
Building systems for recurring work.
Translated recurring vendor and materials needs into booking, intake, automated communication, rotating product display, and self-service sample pickup workflows for an architecture and interiors practice.
Established SOPs, handoff documentation, contact management, and training for recurring vendor and materials programs; coordinated approximately six vendor visits per week across multiple stakeholders.
Vida Design · Workflow development and team enablement.
PIVOT INTERIORS / PROJECT DELIVERY
Keeping scope, schedules, and open items visible.
Led commercial workplace furniture and interior projects from planning through installation, coordinating schedules, scope, deliverables, vendors, stakeholders, open items, and issue resolution.
Managed coordination across internal teams, clients, installers, and external partners, using organized documentation and timely follow-up to resolve issues and maintain continuity through delivery.
Pivot Interiors · Project management and delivery coordination.
BRIDGE / INDEPENDENT PROJECT
Bridge — in development.
I’m developing Bridge, a vendor directory for architecture and design professionals. This independent project applies my operations experience to organizing vendor information and resource workflows around the needs of design teams.
Explore Bridge →Current public site · Independent project in development.
Bridge · Current public siteIndependent project in development
Experience
Operational ownership and project delivery across construction, design studios, and commercial workplace interiors. My work connects people, resources, and repeatable processes.
Vida Design
Resource Manager
2025–Aug 2026
2025–Aug 2026
Designed vendor booking, intake, automated communication, display, and self-service sample pickup workflows. Established SOPs and training, and coordinated approximately six vendor visits per week.
Splice
Project Manager
2023–2024
2023–2024
Managed concurrent construction and design projects from initiation through completion. Improved visibility and follow-through with clearer tracking, decision logs, documentation, and cross-functional communication.
Jeff Schlarb Design Studio
Operations Manager
2021–2022
2021–2022
Directed daily studio operations across schedules, resources, vendors, project teams, and external partners. Standardized processes, documentation, and handoffs to clarify ownership and improve operating consistency.
Pivot Interiors
Project Manager
2017–2018
2017–2018
Commercial workplace furniture and interiors projects from planning through installation, including stakeholders, schedules, open items, and issue resolution.
IDF Studio
Project Manager
2015–2017
2015–2017
Managed residential and commercial studio operations across schedules, priorities, vendors, and resources. Introduced project management tools and reporting workflows to improve visibility and standardize recurring work.
Leadership capabilities
Program delivery, business operations, and practical process improvement, grounded in architecture and design industry experience.
Senior Program & Project Management
Business Operations & Operational Strategy
Process Improvement & Workflow Automation
Cross-Functional Leadership & Stakeholder Management
Resource Planning & Delivery Coordination
Systems Implementation & Change Enablement
Tools & Systems
Professional: Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Excel, Microsoft 365, Bluebeam Revu, AutoCAD, Revit, Studio Designer, Google Workspace, and Adobe Acrobat.
Currently learning: Primavera P6.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Interior Design · The Art Institute of Las Vegas · 2007
What colleagues say
People I’ve worked with consistently point to the same strengths: calm leadership, practical systems thinking, and genuine care for the team.
“Her ability to problem solve and weave complex systems together is remarkable.”
“Desiree is a calm, collected, and well-organized person—a wealth of knowledge.”
“She is reliable, trustworthy and has an amazing work ethic.”
San Francisco Bay Area
Build stronger systems. Deliver better work.
I’m pursuing senior program management, business operations, and process improvement opportunities where I can take ownership of complex challenges and help organizations operate more effectively.