Heather Gess
Program Manager @Solar Turbines
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WORK HISTORY
Program Manager @Solar Turbines
San Diego, CA, US
Solar Turbines – Solutions Platforms Engineered–New Product Introduction (SPE-NPI)Program Manager |(07/2023–Present)• Partner with NPI Directors and cross-functional leaders to standardize planning processes and enhance enterprise-wide visibility into product quality across all NPI programs. • Lead Azure DevOps governance for 12+ NPI projects, ensuring consistent reporting, metric alignment, dependency tracking, and portfolio-level risk visibility. • Architect and deliver cross-functional dashboards that improve quality-focused decision-making by integrating process risk, dependencies, capacity constraints, and performance indicators. • Support internal governance forums by developing high-quality metrics packages, readiness artifacts, and data-driven performance insights for senior leadership. • Spearheaded the Director-led initiative to standardize Roadmaps, designing and implementing a new Azure DevOps Work Item hierarchy for NPI Product Owners. This modernization enabled clean, structured, and scalable roadmap data—regardless of tool (Planview, Aha, Portfolio++). This capability delivered Solar Turbines’ first Connected Roadmap solution, advancing enterprise visibility and strategic alignment. • Implement portfolio-level risk tracking and mitigation strategies, strengthening predictability and improving quality outcomes across NPI initiatives.
ABOUT HEATHER GESS
With more than a decade of experience in program management, Agile delivery, and cross‑functional leadership at Solar Turbines, I specialize in building systems, processes, and teams that deliver high‑quality, reliable, and long‑term sustainable outcomes. My work centers on strengthening organizational discipline, elevating quality standards, and ensuring that the products, services, and processes we deliver consistently meet—or exceed—customer expectations.As a Program Manager, I coach Agile teams to align execution with strategic intent, fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement. I focus on creating the conditions for predictable delivery: clear prioritization, structured backlog management, disciplined ceremonies, and data‑driven decision‑making. Through these practices, my teams regularly improve quality, reduce rework, and enhance the long-term reliability of our deliverables.My background in SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework), combined with a deep commitment to inclusion, enables me to lead effectively in diverse, global environments. I bring a servant‑leadership mindset to every interaction—promoting collaboration, elevating team strengths, and removing barriers that hinder performance or quality.Across my career, I’ve been driven by a consistent theme: building strong, standardized, and resilient processes that help organizations operate more efficiently, respond to change more effectively, and deliver dependable results. Whether through coaching, quality‑focused decision frameworks, or governance improvements, my goal is to help teams deliver work that stands the test of time.
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