Michelle Coffman-Whitney

About Michelle Coffman-Whitney

With decades of experience in technology, I have built a career at the intersection of innovation, strategy, and leadership. As an engineer, technical project manager, and director, I have led complex initiatives that drive efficiency, scalability, and transformation. My expertise spans cutting-edge technologies, enterprise systems, and strategic execution, ensuring that businesses harness technology for meaningful impact.Beyond technical proficiency, I bring strong business acumen, leveraging my MBA to align technology solutions with organizational goals. Understanding both the technical and business landscapes allows me to bridge gaps, optimize processes, and drive sustainable growth. Navigating challenges is a natural part of leadership, and I approach difficult situations with tact and diplomacy. Whether managing high-stakes negotiations, resolving conflicts, or guiding teams through uncertainty, I bring a steady hand and a strategic mindset to ensure productive outcomes. My Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Leadership has deepened my ability to foster collaboration, lead change, and cultivate a culture of adaptability and success.I am passionate about leveraging technology as a catalyst for progress, and I welcome opportunities to connect with professionals who share a vision for innovation and excellence.

Experience

1. Director of Technology, Operations Support & Chief of Staff

   BECU

   Feb 2021 — Present

   I’ve progressed through a series of increasingly strategic leadership roles at BECU, each reflecting my ability to take on greater scope and impact. While advancing professionally, I earned my MBA and began pursuing a Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Leadership, balancing full-time responsibilities with graduate study. Applying that education in real time has strengthened my strategic thinking, sharpened my business and leadership acumen, deepened my ability to lead through complexity, and build high-performing teams across the enterprise.As Director of Technology and Chief of Staff, I lead cross-functional teams focused on Robotic Process Automation and money movement, managing both internal staff and offshore vendor resources through global managed services partnerships. I combine technical leadership with Chief of Staff responsibilities, mentoring department VPs, directors, and senior managers on the SVP’s leadership team and representing her position across the organization to drive alignment and influence strategic decision-making. I also collaborate with finance to manage a multi-million-dollar operating budget, ensuring optimized investments. Lead operations delivery for BECU’s Automated Clearing House (ACH) channel, supporting a massive $106 billion in annual transaction volume—ensuring efficiency, reliability, and regulatory compliance at enterprise scale. RPA & Enterprise Automation LeadershipI established a global delivery team to launch a company-wide UiPath SaaS platform and Automation Operations Model—an ambitious initiative designed to improve employee experience, eliminate inefficiencies, and enhance accuracy and compliance. Key Achievements- Saved $1.3M annually in staff time across automated processes- Reduced cost per funded loan by $20, improving lending economics- Increased accuracy rates from 80% to 98%, significantly lowering operational risk- Cut rework from 10% to 1%, elevating process quality and customer satisfaction.

Education

• Washington State University Graduate School

  Executive MBA, Business

• University of Washington

  BA, English

• Creighton University

  Doctor of Education - EdD, Interdisciplinary Leadership