I lead with strategic communication and versatile data collection to manage projects, products and people. My biggest passion is storytelling through data, which has made me value product-oriented companies that enjoy internal growth and personal development. I’m a firm believer that the most successful projects and products appeal to the motivations of the users first, and the external noise of competition second. After all, the two are inherently connected but which came first… the chicken or the egg?
Where I started — at the bottom
Use this H2 as a joke and how to navigate this page. This page will progress in reverse chronological order, from my most recent to oldest work experience in true resume fashion. If you are curious of hearing the story from origin, please do take a look at my career journey or start from the bottom of this page.
Where I’m going — Product, Potential and Progress
I actively seek roles where I can be trusted to own (or co-own) a product and push it through to launch and exercise data skills throughout. I was also fortunate enough in my first few roles out of college to be trusted as a people manager, which is something I miss dearly; opportunities to manage teams in the present or future is of high importance to me. On that note, my biggest values in a company include opportunity for internal growth and professional development, team building and community, and a truly product-oriented company with a strategic vision for me from day 1 to day 90 and beyond. I’m a dedicated and passionate worker, which makes me take my contributions and team dynamic to heart. If you’re looking for someone who can work across multiple units with charisma and care, let’s chat!
Y2+: Data management in AI crowdsourcing
When you’re me and an AI company says they want you to create a new data site, you can’t turn it down. Writing sentiment scripts for NLP datapoints, base-level QC, running my own Python scripts, and yet another international team later I challenged myself to learn on my feet… and that I did.
* Scoped project risks, assumptions, and constraints of talent procurement
* Monitored performance of the data collection process, including adjusting recruitment for accurate data samples
* Established KPIs for contracted sound engineers to complete high-quality recordings and edits in a timely manner
Y2-1: In startups — Sharks are born swimming
And, hey, as bloodthirsty as the beasts are they are increasingly misunderstood. Completing the market research and analysis to find PMF and raise venture capital was the beast that launched me over to product. Now, I see the 10,000 ft view because of it.
* Collected quantitative data for market research and competitor analysis, used for the 42-page business plan
* Updated a decade old feasibility study with new use case qualitative surveys to write product feature requirements
* Refreshed user stories alongside a data analyst to create new market segmentation (SAM/TAM/SOM) and beachhead sales
* Additional responsibilities included writing product requirements, scoping the MVP build with MMF prioritization, conducting stakeholder analysis and owning engagement, and completing funding requests for venture capital investment.
* Confidence gained in stress management, product life cyle mapping and resiliency, senior stakeholder collaboration, looking at things from the 10,000 foot view, and supervising high-performance teams in a competitive startup environment
Y2-1: Nonprofit & Marketing Agency
Managing projects for in-house events and the agency program’s marketing clients, I thrived as a cross-unit leader, taskmaster, and project owner.
* Supervised 5 independent contractors and 2 rotational interns
* Project Lead for 10 agency clients
* Pitched and integrated agile Kanban structure to the agency
* Developed onboarding guides for new-hires and interns
* Created a work breakdown structure and template, and responded to RFPs.
* Wearer of many hats and being the owner of most, I became a reliable critical thinker and strategic in my operational and communication efforts.
Kelly Adkins 