by Balanced Scorecard Institute | May 16, 2017
Laurie is an Associate of Strategy Management Group, with more than 25 years of experience, working with executives and teams to align business investments and technology to achieve strategic objectives through the execution of project and portfolio management.
Her experience as a coach, strategist and project manager, coupled with her entrepreneurial drive, includes unique strategy execution leadership for private, non-profit, energy and higher education industries. Her responsibilities include designing project management frameworks and implementing systems to drive visibility of resource management. Laurie’s leadership and vision has helped executives embrace the process of establishing a Project Portfolio Management Office that brings value to the bottom line and ensures that the right work is getting done.
Laurie has exceptional facilitation and training skills with a strategic approach that makes her widely sought after for her expertise in delivering solutions that result in operational efficiencies and successful enterprise project implementations.
Laurie’s advocacy for advancing women in business has received numerous accolades. She serves as the Chapter Council Chair for the Association for Strategic Planning where she currently sits on the board.
An avid speaker and instructor, she delivers various presentations on topics including Governance, Project Portfolio Management and Technology strategy alignment. She holds a Masters of Information Systems Management from Keller School of Management, BA in Economics and French from Hollins University and is a Project Management Professional.
by Balanced Scorecard Institute | May 16, 2017
Wes Balakian is a Senior Associate with over 30 years’ experience in the business management field as a project management consultant, trainer, author and technologist. An internationally known speaker, facilitator, and trainer with over 200 presentations, webcasts, and workshops to his credit, Wes is the original developer and author of the “Ultimate Project Management training program” covering twenty different courses in portfolio, program and project management including exam certification. He also authored Harnessing the Power of Project Management, and five other published books on project management. He developed TSI’s public workshop training curriculum which now spans close to 100 classes. He has authored and facilitated numerous planning off-sites, workshops, and training courses on strategic alignment, strategic planning, performance measurement and management, and information technology. Wes has trained several thousand people from more than twenty countries in how to build, implement, and sustain project management teams and PMO’s that are scalable and repeatable business delivery systems.
Wes is a Project Management Professional (PMP®), and is an active member of the Project Management Institute Global Operations Center leadership team for the past seventeen years. He has served on the Board of Directors, strategic committees, and held positions of VP of Education and elected Chair in various roles at the institute. Currently Wes is an Advisory board member of the Registered Education Program representing North America. Wes was also newly appointed on a strategic planning committee as an advisor, coach and contributor with the Association for Strategic Planning. He is a member of the Association of Talent Development, The Project Management Institute and The Association for Strategic Planning. In 2010, True Solutions Inc was named one of the top ten Diversity companies to work for in Texas.
by Candice Ramer | May 16, 2017
Dan Colman is a Strategy Management Group Senior Associate who is an expert in developing and articulating clear and coherent strategies, integrating and synchronizing the various instruments of leadership power, and leading and managing change for complex organizations in dynamic environments. Dan is sought after for his ability to empower leaders through development and capacity-building initiatives while fostering mission clarity and vivid visions, to drive organizational success and positive impact. That experience and passion drive Dan to partner with individuals, entrepreneurs, managers, and business owners looking to grow their companies, increase their productivity, or develop new strategies for success.
Sacrifice and service underscore Dan’s life, evidenced by over three decades as a decorated Naval Officer protecting America’s interests. He’s been on the front lines confronting terrorism, and piracy, defending critical infrastructure, protecting the environment, and delivering humanitarian and disaster relief. Dan led geographically dispersed teams ranging from just a few to several thousand.
Dan is on the National Small Business Leadership Council (NSBLC), where he represents the interests of small businesses in the United States. He promotes policies and legislation that support the growth and success of small businesses and serves as a resource for small business owners and entrepreneurs by providing information and education about important issues affecting their businesses. As an NSBLC Member, Dan connects small business owners with other resources and organizations that can help them succeed.
Dan is a Balanced Scorecard Professional (BSP), a Key Performance Indicator Professional (KPIP), and an Objective and Key Result Professional (OKRP). He also holds additional certifications in Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous (VUCA) Leadership; Certified Trainer in Systems Thinking, Mapping, and Leadership; Change Management; Wicked Problem-Solving Practitioner; and a Certificate in Disruptive Strategy with Clayton Christensen.
A Jacksonville University graduate, Dan later earned a Master’s degree from the Naval War College with focus areas of complex organizational planning, budgeting, and operations. He went on to earn a second Master’s degree from the National War College with a focus on strategic thinking, strategic leadership, and the application of policy, emphasizing the integration of tools of leadership power.
by Balanced Scorecard Institute | May 16, 2017
Kirsten is the Director of HR & Administration. She is a skilled human resources professional with 28 years of experience in Human Resource management, including recruiting, resource management systems, competency and capability frameworks and development, staff productivity and utilization, personnel assessment processes and programs, compensation, staff career development and counseling, performance management, retention and attrition strategy and goal setting, as well as handling terminations and reductions in force (RIFs). Kirsten is also knowledgeable in benefits planning and administration, and has experience with public relations, communications, and event planning.
At the Strategy Management Group, Kirsten is a member of the Executive Leadership team with responsibilities for forecasting business needs and performance planning, analysis, and execution. She is responsible for the employee policies and procedures, diversity, inclusion and ethics, annual assessment process, and all aspects of employee relations and compensation planning. She acts as an advisor to the Leadership Team on strategic HR issues, including: employee relation issues, training, goal setting, and career development. Kirsten also manages the company’s domestic and international conference planning; she has organized and managed events in the US, as well as in several Middle East countries.
Kirsten’s career has spanned multiple industries, including technology, government, non-profits, and financial institutions. She has worked for Deloitte Consulting, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Coopers & Lybrand, Freddie Mac, and General Dynamics.
Kirsten is a certified Balanced Scorecard Professional (BSP) and holds a BS degree in Communications and Public Relations from James Madison University; she has won several Service Awards during her career.
