Tara Phelps

About Tara Phelps

I am a technology transformation leader with more than 20 years of experience building scalable enterprise platforms, modernizing data ecosystems, and accelerating strategic growth in gaming, hospitality, government, defense, and high-impact environments. I specialize in turning operational complexity and customer feedback into intelligent, insight-driven platforms that improve decision-making and product quality, increase performance, and support transformation at scale.Throughout my career, I have led multimillion-dollar transformation portfolios, unified enterprise data through large-scale ERP and HCM modernization, and created governance frameworks that bring clarity, accountability, operational execution and intelligent automation to highly regulated and mission-critical environments. As the founder of AI Advisors Network, I work with organizations to develop AI platform strategies, design generative workflows, implement responsible AI governance, and build organizational readiness for large-scale adoption. My goal always is to bridge executive vision and delivery by aligning engineering, product, and operations teams around measurable outcomes. Focus Areas• Enterprise and data-driven platform strategy• Cloud modernization across AWS, GCP, Azure, and Databricks• Feedback analytics and insight architecture• Generative AI workflow automation and agentic orchestration• Governance, compliance alignment, and risk intelligence• PMO leadership, scalability, and operational executionTechnical Expertise• Cloud & AI Platforms: AWS (AI/ML, cloud-native architecture), GCP, Azure, Databricks• Generative AI & Insight Enablement: Prompt engineering, AI-driven summarization & generation, agentic workflow orchestration (GPT, Claude, Perplexity via n8n, Make.com, Lovable)• Data & Analytics Architecture: Data unification for ERP/HCM integration, insight-driven dashboard development, feedback intelligence frameworks• Governance & Compliance Enablement: Governance policy design, responsible AI adoption structures, risk intelligence frameworks, HIPAA/GDPR alignment exposure• Enterprise Systems & Transformation: Oracle Cloud Fusion ERP & HCM, Ariba, Blackline, enterprise rollout architectures, SaaS platform integration• Program & Platform Delivery: Agile & Waterfall execution models, cross-functional scalability, enterprise PMO governance, cloud readiness frameworks• Security & Regulated Environments: Defense-grade continuity frameworks (COOP/DRP), cybersecurity operational standards, Nevada Gaming Control compliance

Experience

1. Strategy & Operations Program Manager

   Light & Wonder

   Mar 2026 — Present · Las Vegas, NV, US

   Strategic partner to the People Capability leadership team supporting the Enablement and Experience organization, operating in a hybrid role that combines strategy consulting, operational leadership, and chief of staff level execution.Drive the strategic operating rhythm for the People Capability organization by aligning initiatives across Centers of Excellence including AI, Analytics, Shared Services, Talent Acquisition, and Total Rewards. Partner with senior leaders to translate enterprise priorities into actionable strategic plans, measurable performance frameworks, and coordinated transformation initiatives.Act as a deputy to the Project Management Office Director, supporting governance and execution across the People Capability strategic portfolio.Key Contributions• Translate executive vision into strategic roadmaps, operating plans, and enterprise initiatives.• Develop business cases, financial models, and Return on Investment analyses supporting organizational transformation.• Design and implement Key Performance Indicators and performance management frameworks to measure impact and drive continuous improvement.• Integrate cross functional priorities from Human Resources Centers of Excellence into a unified strategic narrative.• Lead executive level communications, change management messaging, and leadership engagement initiatives.• Facilitate strategic planning sessions, leadership meetings, and enterprise workshops.• Support portfolio governance and program delivery across the People Capability strategic initiative portfolio.• Manage the lifecycle of transformation initiatives from concept and business case development through execution and delivery.Core AreasStrategy and OperationsEnterprise TransformationPortfolio GovernanceExecutive CommunicationsPerformance ManagementHuman Resources Strategy

Education

• Georgetown University

  Masters , Technology Leadership

  2018 — 2021

• Woodbury University

  BS, Business Admin/Mangement

  1989 — 2004

Skills

• Financial Modeling
• Financial Analysis
• Program Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Leadership
• Business Process Improvement
• Management
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Real Estate Transactions
• Entrepreneurship
• Budgeting
• Management Consulting
• Cloud Computing
• Professional Services
• Negotiation
• Strategy
• Marketing
• Healthcare
• Business Development
• Sales
• Strategic Planning
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Business Strategy
• Medical Devices
• Investments
• Project Management
• Due Diligence
• Change Management
• Consulting
• Real Estate
• Budgets
• Finance
• B2b
• New Business Development
• Small Business
• Executive Management
• Business Planning
• Operations Management
• Venture Capital
• Customer Relationship Management (Crm)