Juana M.

About Juana M.

Engaging, award-winning public sector, international development program management leader with an unwavering record of excellence in $30M+ project management, QA/QC, compliance, audit management, customer/client advocacy, professional relationship/consensus building—and operations, facilities, and contract analysis expertise. Strong ability to anticipate, envision, define, enlist, and enact —managing multi-disciplinary teams to facilitate the timely and accurate completion of new programs. Analyzes and oversees CAPEX budget plans, expenses, and invoices. Regarded as an innovative and creative problem-solver, collaborating cross-organizationally to create processes, procedures and Best Practices. Repeatedly entrusted with autonomy and asked to fill interim Director-level roles. A skilled and impactful communicator; bilingual; fluent in both English and Spanish. Entrusted with Top Secret clearance.Eight+ years’ overseas experience; ten+ years of US Government experience; fifteen+ years of supervisory/project management and construction management experience, including non-profit and private sector/commercial roles. Certified Project Management Professional.

Experience

1. Foreign Service Contracting Officer

   USAID

   Apr 2021 — Present · Nairobi County, KE

   Responsible for the full lifecycle of procurement and assistance instruments, including contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements.​ Led the planning, negotiation, award, and administration of contracts and agreements, ensuring alignment with policies and procedures, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Collaborated with technical offices to develop solicitations, oversee evaluation panels, and provide guidance on procurement strategies.​ Ensured transparency, fairness, and regulatory compliance throughout all procurement activities.] Provided training and guidance to local partners and staff to strengthen procurement understanding. Proactively mitigated risks to protect organizational interests.​Assisted in managing the $1.3 billion Health, Population, and Nutrition (HPN) portfolio, completing over 30 contracting transactions valued at more than $50 million within three months to ensure the timely delivery of life-saving services to vulnerable populations.Oversaw a $200 million portfolio of mission-managed awards for operations in Sudan and Somalia, providing strategic procurement guidance to senior leadership, including Mission Directors and Office Directors. Supported the development and execution of five new awards and led the closeout or termination of over two dozen awards, ensuring compliance, continuity, and alignment with operational priorities.Led the pre-award phase of a $25 million medical supply contract supporting Kenya’s Ministry of Health. Guided technical teams on requirements, timelines, and documentation; coordinated across time zones; and ensured transparent communication with offerors, resulting in a timely, well-documented award.Spearheaded a hybrid partner meeting for Sudan humanitarian response. Facilitated solution-focused discussions on Sudan’s humanitarian assistance challenges; engaged partners and mission staff to inform strategic decisions on future awards and programmatic activities.

Education

• Drexel University

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

  1994 — 1999

• University of Tampa - John H. Sykes College of Business

  Master of Business Administration - MBA

  2003 — 2005

• Villanova University

  Certificates

  2002 — 2005

• University of Notre Dame - Mendoza College of Business

  Certificate

  2007 — 2007

• New Your School of Feng Shui

  Certification

  2013 — 2014

• Thunderbird School of Global Management

  Certificates in Int'l Management & Marketing

  2007 — 2008