Kerstin Shersy Benson
Global strategist with a proven track record in organizational leadership, innovation, and partnership development.
- Role
- Chief Operating Officer at The Webinerd
- Location
- Santa Barbara, CA, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Kerstin Shersy Benson
I believe progress happens at the intersection of empathy and accountability.I am a certified mediator, executive strategist, and operations leader with over 15 years of experience across corporate, nonprofit, government, and global consulting environments. I have negotiated multimillion-dollar contracts with the United Nations and Fortune 500 companies, overseen portfolios exceeding $400M, scaled operations by 800%, and built systems that protect and empower the people they serve.I facilitate high-stakes organizational dialogues. I advise on complex fiduciary and legal matters. I guide executive teams through transformation, conflict, and growth. I manage large-scale programs with precision and with purpose.My credentials include an MBA, an ALM in Journalism from Harvard University, a PMP, a Six Sigma Black Belt, and certifications in mediation and conflict resolution. I have worked across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. I have sat at tables where billion-dollar decisions were made and I have done the unglamorous work that actually moves organizations forward.I build things that work. I lead people who matter. And I do not separate those two goals.
Experience
Chief Operating Officer
Jul 2020 — Present · CA, US
Built a startup with over 800%+ rapid growth-Develop a standard of high-performing, well-coordinated teams across all business units and multiple time zones capable of supporting accelerated growth and rapid adoption of new technologies, services, and partners- Successfully leads a fully remote team and a paperless tech consulting firm- Translate strategy into actionable goals for performance and growth, helping to implement organization-wide goal setting, performance management, successful recruiting, process improvement and annual operational planning- Oversee operations management and finance oversight - Drives new business development and sales management including the negotiation and execution of major contracts with Fortune 500 companies - Work closely with legal teams in multiple states to ensure fiscal and HR compliance- Work closely with nonprofits to increase their impact and get their message out through virtual events- Spearheaded comprehensive risk management strategies, identifying potential risks and implementing mitigation plans to safeguard the organization\'s interests- Developed and maintained a robust risk assessment framework, ensuring proactive identification and resolution of potential challenges- Implemented innovative banking solutions to streamline financial operations and improve cash flow management-Continuously invested in leadership excellence, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development- Developed financial forecasts and conducted regular financial analyses to inform decision-making and drive operational efficiency- Pioneered the rapid adoption of new technologies and services within the tech consulting firm, staying at the forefront of industry trends- Implemented cross-cultural training initiatives to enhance teamwork and cohesion across diverse time zones.
Education
Harvard Business School Online
Certification in Disruptive Strategy & Innovation
2016 — 2016
Antioch University
BA, Liberal Arts; Dual Concentration in Business Management & Social Service Administration
2006 — 2009
Fielding Graduate University
Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership (CNL), Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management
2014 — 2015
California State University Channel Islands
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
2011 — 2013
University of London
British Politics, Art History
Harvard University
Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies (ALM), Concentration in Journalism, Harvard Extension School
Harvard University
Professional Graduate Certificate, School of Extension Studies, Organizational Behavior Studies
2017 — 2019
Santa Barbara City College
Associate of Arts (A.A.), Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: Transfer Emphasis
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