Mara Finkelstein
A leader who fosters strong relationships with clients and solves problems by bringing together diverse and remote teams. Over five years experience managing digital, web-based and SaaS projects. Proven track record of building and executing holistic and innovative experiences for the end-user. A positive and hardworking person who has strong emotional intelligence and is comfortable influencing a team and managing any conflicts that may arise.
Professional History
Project Manager, Syatt
2022- Present
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Oversaw more than 5 concurrent projects, including client work, the development of new product features, and full e-commerce re-platforms.
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Effectively led and coordinated a globally distributed team of designers, developers, and client stakeholders to swiftly address technical challenges.
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Proactively balanced client requirements, budgets, and timelines, delivering tailored solutions that significantly improved the shopping experience for consumers.
Technical Project Manager, Foodmaestro (acquired by Walmart)
2021
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Led team through multiple concurrent data-focused client implementations and product development activities.
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Identified bottlenecks, effectively managed risks, and provided regular status reports to multiple stakeholders.
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Managed resource allocation for a diverse portfolio comprising more than 10 projects.
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Increased efficiency by improving process and scaleability.
Mara Finkelstein Consulting
2019 - Present
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Provided project and product management support to four clients, overseeing three to eighteen month engagements & ongoing ad-hoc client support.
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Successfully launched 4 minimal viable products (MVP) from initial concept to release.
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Collaborated with teams to assess market viability, conducted research, and worked with a team of six developers to implement product features. Analyzed product performance in the market and developed a strategic roadmap for future enhancements.
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Spearheaded 2 client’s digital transformation efforts, encompassing internet integration, adoption of modern technologies, and improved communication practices.
Consulting services covered: Product, Operations, Digital Transformation, Project Management, Web, & Strategy
Account Coordinator, Digital, Kenna
2017 - 2018
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Applied client's corporate updates across all platforms, managing a cross- disciplinary team for efficient implementation on a site with 1,000+ pages. Led design change meetings.
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Executed 25 creative digital projects under tight timelines and resource constraints, sustaining the client's brand and securing stakeholder buy-in.
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Standardized 15 campaign sites, providing superior user experience, updated visuals and strong messaging guiding users to streamline the work.
Junior Project Manager, strategy & Innovation, Club Coffee
Summer 2016 (Co-op)
Utilized project management tools in competitor research to assist sales and marketing teams with strategy.
Identified and assessed price, position and promotion of 1000s of SKUs (stock keeping unit) in single-serve market, highlighting key strategic opportunities.
Designed, managed and delivered social media training sessions to 50 staff, raising knowledge and understanding of social media in current market place.
Conducted an in-depth SWOT Analysis, whose findings guided sales and marketing strategies.
Social Media Coordinator, NCSY Canada
2013 - 2015 (Part-time)
Created online community for non-profit organization’s alumni.
Discovered overlooked potential in alumni and created strategy to prove their value to non-profit organization.
Generated social media campaign gathering 400 alumni, securing future programming.
Volunteering History
March - April 2020
Research Assistant, Cambrian Futures
​Researched trends, behavioral science theory and current attitudes with regards to then the value of personal data in a potential marketplace. Worked to advance general knowledge, source helpful connections and discuss topic to prepare article for Wired.
August 2017Â - June 2018
Chairperson YYP Committee
Initiated young professionals’ community by assessing needs and arranged exciting events, reaching up to 250 participants.Â
Advertised 7 events and raise overall awareness of new community programming.
August 2016 - June 2017
Chairperson Stratford Student Community
Formed SSC to create a sense of community for the students of the University of Waterloo who were living in Stratford, Ontario. Implemented events and activities to foster community, provide interesting non-academic programs for students, and encourage leadership. This group was not officially part of the university.
September 2014 - December 2015
International Peer Mentor
Paired with English language learner to help improve their English and communication skills through social activities.
Education
March 2020
Masters of Science, Disruptive Innovation
Hult International Business School, San Francisco
Dean's List 2020
2019
Masters of International Business
Hult International Business School, London
Dean's Scholar 2018
2017
Bachelors of Global Business and Digital Arts
University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
Dean’s List 2017 | Global Experience Certificate 2017 | ChristieDigital Award 2013
2015
Certified Associate of Project Management
Project Management Institute
June 2008
Black Belt
Shotokan Karate, Summit Karate Schools
