Heather Peterson

About Heather Peterson

Above my desk, there\'s a framed print. It says:\"Office [noun]/ def. the place you go to relax after a stressful night at home.\"While this is obviously meant to be funny, it does have that grain of truth. Solving problems, unraveling webs of data and mazes of problems, learning alongside my colleagues, and finding innovative solutions is where I find my stride. I love moving the puzzle pieces around to find the most efficient way to operate and engage, investigate available technologies to improve processes, and plan for our future programs and projects. I like to get my hands dirty. I like to go down black holes lined with data and emerge alight with new solutions and ideas. I relish hearing complaints and frustrations because at their core there is a problem to solve, and different perspectives to consider. People are the \"why\" at the foundation of everything I do. My enthusiasm for improving team efficiency often earns me playful jests, but I wear them as badges of honor. Because at the heart of it all, it\'s about empowering the organization and our volunteers to thrive. Without them, our non-profit would (literally) just be empty ships. People matter. When I\'m not at work, you can probably find me trying a new recipe - perhaps while sipping cabernet sauvignon, making some arguably lame puns, walking really far, or taking a nap.Abilities: Visualizing solutions to complex problems; Adapting cross-culturally and navigating unfamiliar territories; organizational design and building teams; Storytelling through data and information; articulating ideas and implementing. StrengthsFinder® Top Five: 1. Deliberative, 2. Relator, 3. Ideation, 4. Intellection, 5. ConnectednessPersonality: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®: INFJ; Enneagram®: Type 4 with a 5 wing; DiSC® I/S/CExperience: Associate’s in Business Administration; Bachelor’s in Human Resources Development, Minor in Psychology. Certifications in Leading Diversity in the Workplace, Strategic HR Leadership, and Lean Six Sigma. 17+ years at a global NGO; 20 countries travelled.

Experience

1. Program Manager - Field Service Readiness

   Mercy Ships

   Jul 2024 — Present

   Responsible for orchestrating the comprehensive preparation of our fleet for field service. This role entails strategic planning, execution of developed systems for readiness tracking, and proactive coordination across various departments. In addition, the Program Manager serves as a centralized planning function, playing a pivotal role in fostering collaboration among cross-functional teams, streamlining communication channels, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives. This includes identifying and addressing potential bottlenecks in the field service readiness process and implementing solutions to enhance efficiency. The Program Manager will ensure that all preparatory activities align with organizational goals and the specific needs of field service locations, maintaining our fleet at the forefront of service excellence.

Education

• Rice Business

  Certification, Leading Diversity

• University of Texas at Tyler

  Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Human Resources Development

  2014 — 2018

• Tyler Junior College

  Associate of Arts (A.A.), Business Administration and Management, General

  2010 — 2013

Skills

• Customer Service
• Training
• Volunteer Management
• Policy
• Proposal Writing
• Outlook
• Management
• Team Building
• Project Planning
• Leadership Development
• Switchboard Operator
• Program Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Nonprofits
• System Administration
• Analysis
• Editing
• Social Media
• Recruiting
• Staff Development
• Leadership
• Grant Writing
• Process Improvement
• Microsoft Office
• Flow Charts
• Event Planning
• Budgets
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Coaching
• Blogging
• Research
• Social Networking
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Teamwork
• Organizing
• Organizational Development
• Personnel Management
• Fundraising