Alyssa Ward
Winnipeg,Canada
Summary
Agile strategy and project management professional with over 10 years of experience in organizational leadership and community engagement. Expertise in strategic planning, performance management, and operational alignment, leading to successful execution of initiatives. Proven ability to foster communication and build stakeholder relationships, ensuring alignment of organizational objectives with operational outcomes. Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and virtual collaboration tools, effectively managing priorities under pressure while promoting teamwork and strategic agility.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Project & Strategy Specialist
Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism
Winnipeg, Manitoba
09.2022 - Current
- Coordinated annual and multi-year planning cycles, including internal and external environmental scans, timeline development, stakeholder engagement, and deliverable tracking to inform strategy formulation and design.
- Supported corporate strategy development and refresh processes, contributing to strategy design, analysis, consultation, and documentation while ensuring alignment between organizational structure, operating model, and strategic priorities.
- Led cross-functional working sessions to translate strategic priorities into actionable operational plans, integrating risk and opportunity assessments, operational planning for implementation, and alignment of operations with strategy.
- Aligned departmental initiatives with enterprise-level objectives, ensuring governance and decision-making processes reinforced strategic direction and enabling effective strategic performance management.
- Developed and maintained project plans for cross-functional initiatives, applying project management best practices to support strategy execution, organizational transformation, and on-time delivery of milestones.
- Monitored and reported organizational performance against key strategic objectives, supporting a culture of strategic management, agility, and continuous improvement across the organization.
- Facilitated communication and organizational understanding of key strategy elements to guide decision-making and strengthen planning team expectations, strategic clarity, and cross-departmental alignment.
- Partnered with Winnipeg Airport Authorities to introduce new routes and airlines, strengthening Winnipeg's air connectivity.
Viewer Experience Advocate
Disney Debut
Vancouver, British Columbia
07.2022 - 09.2024
- Assisted users in navigating digital platforms, ensuring a seamless viewing experience.
- Analyzed viewer feedback to identify trends and enhance content delivery strategies.
- Implemented troubleshooting protocols to assist users with technical difficulties.
- Created and maintained documentation for user support processes to improve efficiency.
- Utilized analytics tools to track viewer engagement metrics and inform content strategy.
- Created educational materials on Disney's internal platform, Learning Lounge to maximize training opportuntiies for fellow advocates.
- Worked closely with Studio executive team to develop long-term strategy for private streaming platform.
KIDS Ministry Coordinator
Gateway South Osborne
Winnipeg, Canada
05.2022 - 10.2023
- Recruited and trained volunteers while ensuring security compliance and effective record management.
- Created and distributed weekly volunteer schedules to ensure smooth operations and safety standards.
- Established curriculum tailored for all age groups, enhancing educational engagement.
- Maintained classroom space, ensuring cleanliness and readiness prior to classes.
- Provided parents with resources to support children's ongoing development.
- Developed outreach strategies to strengthen community connections.
Multi-Store General Manager
Carter's-Oshkosh
Winnipeg, Canada
05.2021 - 06.2022
- Managed business administration, overseeing entire hiring process from job posting to onboarding.
- Built accountable leaders, empowering them to take charge of store operations, including scheduling, inventory control, and client services.
- Coordinated virtual and in-person meetings across multiple calendars to enhance communication.
- Designated as change management leader during GM store-model transition in Prairies division.
- Formulated strategy and accompanying training documents to support transition, detailing best practices and operational procedures.
- Conducted bi-annual performance reviews to identify growth opportunities for leadership teams.
- Compiled performance data to recommend merit compensation based on results and targets.
- Developed Shrink Reduction Strategy addressing Organized Retail Crime challenges in the market.
Assistant Store Manager
The Disney Store
Winnipeg, Canada
09.2014 - 05.2021
- Onboarded and off-boarded over 40 associates annually using ATS: Kenexa, supporting a base team of 20 employees.
- Orchestrated bi-annual inventory management to optimize product flow across locations.
- Developed employee schedules and management rotations to maximize operational efficiency.
- Documented and implemented performance action plans to enhance team productivity.
- Contributed to Store Re-Opening plans in 2020 by researching safety measures and recommending guidelines.
- Supported North American employees during 2021 closures, fostering resilience and optimism.
- Developed social media strategy to increase foot traffic via social media presence and engagement.
- Traveled to Alberta, Ontario, and California for store openings, training leaders, and hosting recruitment fairs.
Cash Supervisor
Indigo Books
Winnipeg, Canada
09.2008 - 09.2014
- Partnered with upper management to manage crowd control and enhance loyalty percentages.
- Planned and implemented fundraisers benefiting Love of Reading Foundation, managing corporate sales over $10,000.
- Hosted and organized Sidewalk Sale events, ensuring effective execution and profitability.
- Coordinated time management, marketing material creation, and pricing strategies for successful sales.
- Onboarded new associates regarding policies, procedures, cash handling, and best practices.
- Achieved highest customer loyalty percentage in iRewards and Plum Rewards membership, maintaining 98.7%.
Education
Bachelors of Commerce - International Business and Marketing
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB12.2013
Magna Cum Laude -
Vincent Massey Collegiate
Winnipeg, MB06.2010
Skills
- Strategic planning and formulation
- Environmental scanning
- Organizational alignment
- Performance management
- Strategy execution and change
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Project management
- Business analysis
- Facilitation and communication
- Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
Accomplishments
- Launched Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism's multi-year strategy, 2026-2030.
- Pitched and secured a direct flight from Winnipeg, Canada to Reykjavik, Iceland, the first direct-to-Europe route since 2017.
- Overhauled and administrated a new SharePoint intranet framework to capture Economic Development Winnipeg and Tourism Winnipeg's merger.
- Spearheaded the development of an AI-Use Policy and Indigenous Procurement Policy.
- Developed and launched a Sustainability and Environmental Awareness site on Disney's internal platform, Learning Lounge.
Certification
Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED level C, Canadian Red Cross
Accomplishments
Top Performer: Outstanding Time Management and Organization, 2022 - Carters-Oshkosh
Affiliations
Treasurer, Board of Directors - Gateway Christian Community
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
French
Limited
Spanish
Limited
Timeline
Project & Strategy Specialist
Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism
09.2022 - Current
Viewer Experience Advocate
Disney Debut
07.2022 - 09.2024
KIDS Ministry Coordinator
Gateway South Osborne
05.2022 - 10.2023
Multi-Store General Manager
Carter's-Oshkosh
05.2021 - 06.2022
Assistant Store Manager
The Disney Store
09.2014 - 05.2021
Cash Supervisor
Indigo Books
09.2008 - 09.2014
Bachelors of Commerce - International Business and Marketing
University of Manitoba
Magna Cum Laude -
Vincent Massey Collegiate