ELISA PALMA
Montreal,Quebec
Summary
Accomplished professional recognized for leveraging strong team leadership and development to drive forward progress. Highly organized, detail-oriented leader skilled in directing high-performing teams to develop solutions and solve operational and technical problems.
My adept problem-solving and effective communication skills led to notable improvements in project execution and budget optimization, achieving a culture of continuous improvement and financial stability.
Proficient in strategic planning and cross-functional management, I significantly enhanced operational efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction in every organization that I have been part of.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Organizational Management
National Center for Artificial Intelligence
02.2023 - 06.2024
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Demonstrated excellent crisis management skills during challenging situations, resolving issues promptly while maintaining professionalism at all times.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the organization.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on projects or business operations.
Deputy Executive Director
National Center for Artificial Intelligence
12.2021 - 01.2023
- Oversaw the successful execution of major projects, ensuring timely completion within budget constraints.
- Influenced policy changes that positively impacted the organization''s long-term sustainability and growth potential.
- Developed strong relationships with external partners, fostering collaboration for mutual growth and success.
- Identified areas for improvement within the organization and developed actionable plans for positive change.
- Built relationships with donors, government officials and other organizations to secure funding and support for organization.
- Built and maintained strong company teams by hiring and training qualified staff to create positive and productive work environments.
Outreach Coordinator
Pontificia Universidad Católica De Chile
06.2018 - 03.2022
- Developed partnerships with relevant stakeholders, strengthening the organization''s presence in the community.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive plans for addressing community needs.
- Navigated complex community dynamics with diplomacy and thoughtfulness, fostering trust and credibility among diverse groups.
- Tailored outreach messages to resonate with diverse audiences, increasing engagement across all platforms.
- Enhanced online presence by creating and managing content across multiple social media platforms.
- Managed budgets for multiple projects, consistently adhering to financial constraints while achieving desired outcomes.
- Coordinated logistics for large-scale events such as science fair, public space interventions or academic exchange, resulting in well-executed projects with high levels of satisfaction among attendees.
- Developed presentations for public events, community groups and school assemblies.
Executive Management Technical Assistant
Rimisp Latin American Center for Rural Development
06.2016 - 05.2018
- Consistently met project deadlines by utilizing strong time management skills and effective resource allocation strategies.
- Assisted upper management in defining long-term technical strategy, aligning departmental objectives with organizational goals.
- Played a key role in ensuring the proper functioning of the Executive Direction by facilitating efficient management and communication of strategies, programs, and administration between headquarters and regional offices in Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador.
- Coordinated the strategic reflection process, resulting in the Institutional Strategic Plan 2017-2022.
- Redesigned and implemented the Intranet platform for easy access to institutional documents, manuals, and procedure guides.
- Prepared technical presentations and other materials for advisory meetings.
Strategic Advisor
Ministerio Del Interior
09.2014 - 05.2016
- Assisted regional governments in effectively implementing the Government Program via financial aids provided by SUBDERE's Regional Development Division, thereby augmenting decentralization and strengthening efforts.
- Executed allocated budget for strengthening projects of Regional Governments while complying with objective of installing competencies in the regions.
- Played a key role in developing the special Statute for Easter Island, facilitating the transfer of National Park administration to the Rapa Nui Community and establishing regulations for migration.
Executive of Instrument for Scientific Outreach
CONICYT - Chile
04.2012 - 09.2013
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within budgetary constraints and deadlines.
- Prepared annual data to determine metrics for operational performance.
- Improved stakeholder satisfaction with regular communication and updates on project progress and outcomes.
- Designed competitive bases for financing products and activities to promote the appropriation and public dissemination of science.
- Managed grant evaluation and award process for products and activities related to science appropriation.
- Managed the implementation of projects granted by the Explora Program, guaranteeing compliance with specified technical and financial guidelines.
- Ensured compliance with all public expenditure execution norms while executing the Chile VA! initiative, resulting in the successful implementation of a special budget of US$1,000,000.
Strategic Project Advisor
National Council of Innovation and Development
09.2011 - 03.2012
- Enhanced client satisfaction by consistently meeting project deadlines and exceeding expectations in terms of quality.
- Mitigated potential risks through detailed analysis, contingency planning, and proactive issue resolution strategies.
- Prepared comprehensive documentation including project proposals, status reports, and closeout summaries for stakeholders'' review.
- Worked closely with senior leadership teams to align organizational objectives with overarching project goals.
- Identified issues of special importance in need of extra attention and escalated to correct personnel.
Studies Department Professional
National Accreditation Commission - CNA
04.2009 - 01.2010
- Supported project managers with documentation, leading to better project tracking and communication.
- Maintained database systems to track and analyze operational data.
- Generated reports detailing findings and recommendations.
- Design and develop research projects on higher education, quality certification and state regulation in educational matters.
- Design and implement the study of higher education institutions' headquarters, which made it possible to make visible the existing problem of the lack of state regulation on Universities, Professional Institutes and Technical Training Centers that operate in different regions of the country without greater oversight on the quality of their academic offer.
Education
Advanced Diploma - Public Policy And Governance
Pontificia Universidad Católica De Chile
Santiago, Chile10.2014
Master of Social Change And Development - Applied Social Sciences And Humanities
University of Newcastle
Newcastle, Australia07.2010
Psychologist - Psychology
Universidad De Tarapacá
Arica, Chile08.2009
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Cross-functional management
- Problem-solving skills
- Stakeholder management
- Operations management
- Budget management
- Effective communication
Accomplishments
Team Building & Leadership: Successfully built and led a multidisciplinary team from the ground up at the National Center for Artificial Intelligence, growing the team from 3 to over 200 members by April 2024. The team encompassed all essential operational areas, including Finance, Human Resources, Administrative Support, Outreach, Communications, and R&D Management.
Organizational Development: Spearheaded the transformation of the Center into an independent Corporation with a secured annual budget of USD $2.5 million. Led the process of defining the organizational mission, vision, and values in collaboration with the Human Resources team.
Strategic Initiatives: Implemented a comprehensive performance evaluation system, redesigned the organization's website, and successfully launched the First Latin American Artificial Intelligence Index.
Facilities Management: Directed the remodeling and fitting out of the Center’s headquarters, ensuring the facility met operational needs and supported the organization's growth.
Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
French
Elementary
Timeline
Director of Organizational Management
National Center for Artificial Intelligence
02.2023 - 06.2024
Deputy Executive Director
National Center for Artificial Intelligence
12.2021 - 01.2023
Outreach Coordinator
Pontificia Universidad Católica De Chile
06.2018 - 03.2022
Executive Management Technical Assistant
Rimisp Latin American Center for Rural Development
06.2016 - 05.2018
Strategic Advisor
Ministerio Del Interior
09.2014 - 05.2016
Executive of Instrument for Scientific Outreach
CONICYT - Chile
04.2012 - 09.2013
Strategic Project Advisor
National Council of Innovation and Development
09.2011 - 03.2012
Studies Department Professional
National Accreditation Commission - CNA
04.2009 - 01.2010
Advanced Diploma - Public Policy And Governance
Pontificia Universidad Católica De Chile
Master of Social Change And Development - Applied Social Sciences And Humanities
University of Newcastle
Psychologist - Psychology
Universidad De Tarapacá
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