Experience

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  zulily

  • Seattle, WA

  • Product Manager

    • Jun 2012 - Nov 2012
    • Seattle, WA

    * Coordinated and managed projects, relationships, and conflicts across teams, ensuring common understanding of goals, adjustments to shifting priorities, and deliveries according to schedule.* Worked closely with cross-company leadership to scope and define program for expanded business opportunity.* Effectively bridged communication gap between technical and business teams.* Owned and executed development of expedited shipping program.* Redesigned user interface for vendor portal and worked with software team to update experience.* Mentored junior-level employees in managing website improvements.* Recognized by CEO as establishing a high bar for co-workers to replicate.

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  Amazon

  • Senior Product Manager - International Softlines

    • Nov 2011 - Jun 2012

    * Managed roadmap by prioritizing and triaging project requests from 20 teams in 5 international locales (UK, FR, DE, JP, and CN).* Developed end-to-end cross-functional requirements and testing to support projects from design through delivery, and worked with technical teams to architect and scope scalable solutions.* Achieved efficiency in fast-paced and continually evolving, time-sensitive environment.

  • Senior Program Manager - Benchmarking

    • Jun 2010 - Nov 2011

    * Conducted competitive benchmarking analyses around key customer experience drivers, comparing and measuring experiences of customers shopping at Amazon versus other websites. * Defined scope, designed methodology, identified metrics, and collected and analyzed data.* Shed light on weaknesses and opportunities and presented program findings and recommendations to senior level managers and S-team members in Retail, Ops, CS, and Merchant Services.* Gained valuable insights into customer experience and senior management’s business decisions.

  • Senior Tax Analyst - Indirect Tax Calculation Services

    • Aug 2008 - Jun 2010

    * Partnered with financial and software teams to maintain and enhance domestic and international transactional tax and other computational systems in response to evolving legal requirements, company initiatives, and expansion into new geographies. * Developed multifaceted financial models to support planning and problem-solving projects.* Wrote and reviewed new project initiatives, and scoped effects on existing processes and systems.* Identified root causes of system failures and implemented solutions given minimal resources.* Provided subject matter expertise to business and IT organizations, customers, and third-party merchants.

  • Tax Analyst - Transfer Pricing

    • May 2007 - Aug 2008

    * Prepared legal entity functional analyses and evaluated economic models, combining internal accounting data with external market benchmarks to determine appropriate arm’s length transfer pricing. * Ensured that statutory financials properly reflected accounting, and verified financial forecasting for reasonableness, explaining variances as appropriate.* Utilized SQL to datamine internal reporting systems to gather, monitor, and manipulate data.* Exhibited customer-centric attitude and judgment in working with both internal and external customers.

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  CCH, a Wolters Kluwer Company

  • Riverwoods, IL

  • Senior Content Specialist

    • Apr 2004 - May 2007
    • Riverwoods, IL

    * Developed software-based aids to assist tax and legal practitioners in more easily performing research and providing services.* Performed high-level research and explanatory writing to develop tool proposals, and worked closely with technical teams to convert proposals into sophisticated web-based tools and calculators.* Designed searches that datamined practitioners’ tax return database to identify clients that were affected by legislation and would benefit from other CCH products. * Constructed detailed decision tree logic documents and troubleshot defects related to tool functionality.* Utilized principles of contextual design to strategize entry of new product into market. * Integrated understanding of product market, accountants’ workflow, and product feedback to define and develop concrete specifications for product development and improvements.* Assisted in preparation of promotional materials and responded to customer and sales force inquiries.* Provided coaching and constructive review to peers and outside authors.* Exhibited professional attitude, enthusiasm, initiative, and strong interpersonal skills.

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  Balance Accounting and Business Services, Inc.

  • Grayslake, IL

  • Owner/Accountant

    • Oct 2002 - Sep 2005
    • Grayslake, IL

    * Provided accounting, tax, payroll, and consulting services for individuals and small businesses using QuickBooks and Lacerte.* Focused on clients providing property management and geriatric care management services.* Implemented strategic recommendations and solutions to maximize financial opportunities and tax savings for clients.* Employed high level of integrity in providing quality service.

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  Scott Foresman

  • Glenview, IL

  • Editorial Assistant/Independent Contractor

    • May 1996 - Nov 2003
    • Glenview, IL

    * Assisted in development of audiotape series; utilized skills in organization of workflow, ideas, materials, and personnel to plan and oversee project.* Wrote clear and concise product manuals, student workbooks, and textbook supplements.* Verified consistency and accuracy of software programs in English and Spanish.* Developed educational products by contributing innovative approaches to existing ideas.* Drafted scripts for educational videotape series and designed specifications for video illustrations.* Designed and programmed web-based exercises to enhance textbook material. * Created lesson planners correlating to state-specific requirements.* Analyzed, edited, and revised textbook with attention to format, consistency, coherence, document integrity, and document design.

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  College of Lake County

  • Grayslake, IL

  • Adjunct Faculty, Business Education

    • Jan 2003 - Jun 2003
    • Grayslake, IL

    * Prepared and delivered classroom activities that effectively relayed concepts to students, maximizing use of technology to optimize learning opportunities.* Promoted critical thinking and challenged students to fully employ capabilities.* Provided real-life examples and case studies to apply concepts taught in classroom.* Utilized team-building skills to establish rapport and positive relationship with colleagues and students.* Courses: Accounting Concepts, Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Tax Accounting

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  Prentice Hall

  • Glenview, IL

  • Editor/Independent Contractor

    • Jan 2000 - Oct 2002
    • Glenview, IL

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  Mesa Community College

  • Mesa, AZ

  • Adjunct Faculty, Department of Business

    • Aug 2001 - Dec 2001
    • Mesa, AZ

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  Arthur Andersen

  • Phoeniz, AZ

  • Tax Accountant

    • Jun 2001 - Aug 2001
    • Phoeniz, AZ

    * Performed compliance responsibilities in federal business tax practice.* Demonstrated ability to resolve problems by applying technical knowledge and research skills.* Developed Tax Challenge Case to be used in national competition.

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  Arizona State University

  • Tempe, AZ

  • Teaching Assistant

    • Aug 2000 - Jun 2001
    • Tempe, AZ

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  PricewaterhouseCoopers

  • Minneapolis, MN

  • Tax & Legal Services Intern

    • Jun 2000 - Jul 2000
    • Minneapolis, MN

    * Prepared workpapers, returns, and extensions for middle market clients.* Learned various software programs available for tax research and return preparation.

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  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Urbana, IL

  • Research Assistant

    • May 1999 - Jul 1999
    • Urbana, IL

    * Gathered cost and production data for Caterpillar backhoes.* Compiled information in case study to be used in future accounting courses.

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  The Wheetley Corporation

  • Skokie, IL

  • Editorial Assistant

    • Apr 1995 - Aug 1995
    • Skokie, IL