Strategic Project Consultant | Executive Leader | Program & Resource Manager | Digital Operations Guru | Organizational Developer | Communications Strategist
About Me
In today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving business landscape, success hinges on more than just delivering a project on time and within budget. It requires a deep understanding of your goals, a clear roadmap to get there, and the agility to navigate the unexpected. That’s where I come in.
Welcome to a world where strategic vision meets meticulous execution. I’m Cathleen, a dedicated project management professional with a passion for turning ambitious ideas into reality. Over the past 15+ years, I’ve honed my craft across diverse industries, guiding projects from conception to completion with precision and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
I’ve led cross-functional teams through complex initiatives, managed multi-million dollar budgets, and consistently exceeded expectations by keeping one key principle at the forefront: Every detail matters. My approach blends strategic planning with hands-on execution, ensuring that each project not only meets but surpasses its objectives.
But what truly sets me apart is my high emotional intelligence and ability to lead with compassion. I believe that people are the heart of every successful project, and fostering strong relationships is crucial to achieving outstanding results. My empathetic leadership style ensures that team members feel valued, heard, and motivated to contribute their best work. By building a culture of trust and open communication, I create an environment where collaboration flourishes, challenges are met with creative solutions, and every individual’s strengths are leveraged to their fullest potential.
Whether it’s launching a new product, streamlining operations, or managing large-scale transformations, I’m your strategic partner in driving projects to success. I believe that effective project management is about more than just ticking boxes—it’s about creating a collaborative environment where innovation thrives, risks are mitigated, and every team member feels empowered to contribute their best.
I invite you to explore my portfolio and discover how my blend of strategy, leadership, and compassionate guidance has helped organizations like yours achieve their goals. Together, we can turn your vision into success.
EDUCATION
Loyola Marymount University (LMU) – Los Angeles, CA
Master of Business Administration with a dual emphasis in Financial Decision Systems and Marketing Management
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) – Los Angeles, CA
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Minor in Education
Marymount California University (formerly Marymount College) – Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Associate of Science in Chemistry
How I Help Organizations
DRIVING GROWTH, INNOVATION, AND EFFICIENCY
Skills & Assessments
LANGUAGES
English (Native), Spanish (Fluent)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
PERSONALITY ASSESSMENTS
Methodologies
Project and program management methodologies are structured systems that guide the planning, execution, and control of endeavors. These approaches provide a clear path to efficiently achieve goals and manage complexities. Whether it’s sequential Waterfall or iterative Agile methods, the choice depends on the project’s nature and organizational requirements. These methodologies are essential tools to streamline processes, enhance collaboration, and deliver results efficiently.
Projects
BAYADA Home Health Care | Nancy Anderson Fit | T.A.P. Executive Coaching | Passive Income MD | The Defining Difference | From Grieving To Healing | Grace Over Guilt Leadership & Wellness Collaborative | Renew Church LA | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center | Naartjie Kids Clothing | Video King | Vanguard Space Technologies | Bio Ionic | Oasis Church LA | Nogales Investors | UCLA | Berg Mill Supply Co. | Turning Point School
BAYADA Home Health Care
About BAYADA Home Health Care
Since 1975, BAYADA Home Health Care has had a special purpose to help people have a safe home life with comfort, independence, and dignity. BAYADA was founded on the principle that health care gets better when clients get better care at home—the place they most want to be. From the nurse, therapist, or aide in the home, to thousands of committed employees supporting their work, delivering that care is BAYADA’s highest priority and greatest joy. BAYADA takes a collaborative, holistic approach to helping people feel their best at home and in their community. BAYADA’s full continuum of care services includes Adult Care and Medicare-Certified Visits, Adult and Private Duty Nursing, Autism and ABA Services, Habilitation, Hospice, Partners, Pediatrics, Personal Care and Companionship, and Staffing (in select areas).
About the Project
At BAYADA Home Health Care, I served as the Division Director of the Digital PMO and embarked on a transformative journey, orchestrating project management for a dynamic $52MM digital portfolio. I led the charge in adopting Agile-driven methodologies, employing tools like Jira and Confluence to optimize efficiency and project outcomes. My role involved coordination with both technical and non-technical teams, and the crowning achievement was the establishment of the Digital PMO where I marshaled a team of 8 project managers. Together, we transformed project oversight and implementation, increasing operational efficiency by 15%.
Nancy Anderson Fit
About Nancy Anderson Fit
Nancy Anderson Fit is a fast-growing SaaS company dedicated to delivering personalized, high-end customer service experiences that support women at every stage of their fitness journey before, during, and after pregnancy. With a mission to empower women through innovative fitness and nutrition programs, Nancy Anderson Fit combines cutting-edge technology, expert guidance, and compassionate support to help clients achieve lasting results.
About the Project
At Nancy Anderson Fit, I served as a Strategic Operations Consultant, spearheading the implementation of scalable workflows and systems to support the company’s rapid growth. My work centered on optimizing project management processes, developing SOPs, and enhancing team productivity through tools like ClickUp and Slack. A standout achievement involved redesigning the content development pipeline to reduce production timelines and improve collaboration across departments. By standardizing processes and automating key steps, I enabled the team to launch new programs faster and with greater impact, driving customer satisfaction and solidifying the company’s reputation as a leader in the fitness and wellness industry. Additionally, I collaborated with cross-functional teams to support role transitions, aligning team strengths with organizational needs to foster a more cohesive and efficient work environment.
T.A.P. Executive Coaching & Rock Your Vision
About T.A.P. Executive Coaching
T.A.P. Executive Coaching is an executive coaching and HR consulting practice specializing in helping clients gain productivity through Focus, Purpose, and Perspective. Corporate clients represent a diverse range of sectors including technology, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and entertainment.
About Rock Your Vision
Rock Your Vision is a community for vision-driven leaders and entrepreneurs who want to build a vision they love through the lens of Christ-centered faith, focus, purpose, and perspective.
About the Project
At T.A.P. Executive Coaching and Rock Your Vision, I served as the Chief Operating Officer and played a pivotal role in enhancing the overall client experience and retention by developing engaging learning activities and content. Through in-depth instructional research, I optimized organizational capabilities and operational strategies, resulting in a remarkable 30% improvement in the client experience. My strategic guidance extended to talent development, resource allocation, and process improvement, aligning with the CEO’s coaching mission and values and generating a substantial 70% profit margin. Within this role, I oversaw critical functions including client engagement, program development, and quality assurance, ensuring the organization’s continued success.
Passive Income MD
About Passive Income MD (PIMD)
Passive Income MD is a digital education and media company dedicated to helping physicians create passive income and achieve financial freedom through real estate and entrepreneurship opportunities.
About the Project
At Passive Income MD (PIMD), I served as the Chief Operating Officer and conducted a comprehensive operational analysis, identifying process improvements. I aligned business strategies with the CEO’s objectives, and we successfully launched three new digital products, resulting in a notable 25% increase in enrollment within the private physician entrepreneur community. My efforts also extended to fostering relationships with over 2,000 clients, partners, and stakeholders. Leading a team of 15, we achieved a remarkable 40% increase in enrollment in the flagship real estate course during the height of the pandemic.
The Defining Difference
About The Defining Difference
The Defining Difference is a coaching and training company that helps mortgage professionals and business owners improve their performance and scale their business.
About the Project
At The Defining Difference, I served as the Chief of Staff for a high-profile business and mortgage coach. My contributions were pivotal in managing client communications and program proposals, leading to an impressive 35% growth in coaching program enrollment. Through strategic engagement and communication, I played a significant role in driving the organization’s success and expanding its reach.
From Grieving to Healing
About From Grieving to Healing
A safe haven of support for moving beyond loss and grief. It’s mission is to walk with you, hand in hand, through the necessary action steps to actually “recover” from your grieving experience.
About the Project
At From Grieving to Healing, I oversaw a website rebrand and the development of various marketing collateral, including digital and print deliverables and multimedia content such as videos, animations, and interactive experiences. I also spearheaded social media marketing efforts and email campaign management to promote upcoming events and digital product launches. I directed the communications strategy for the flagship Grief Recovery Group Program, aiming to raise awareness, boost program participation, and enhance client satisfaction.
Grace Over Guilt Leadership & Wellness Collaborative
About Grace Over Guilt
Grace Over Guilt Leadership & Wellness Collaborative is committed to serving the community through charitable initiatives. The organization provides grief recovery coaching, supports minority professional women’s health and wellness, and assists with career development and transitions. Its programs aim to empower the community and enable people to overcome challenges, heal, and thrive, fostering a stronger and more resilient community.
About the Project
At Grace Over Guilt, my role involved helping a newly formed nonprofit develop a branding strategy, launch its first website, and create key marketing collateral for grant proposals. I created instructional content for service offerings, including workshops, masterminds, online trainings, and digital courses. I also managed external communications, including press releases, newsletters, and social media, ensuring consistency with the organization’s mission.
Renew Church LA
About Renew Church
Renew Church LA launched on April 5, 2015 (Easter) with a beautiful mission: “to renew a broken people who will renew a broken city through the Gospel of Jesus.” They aspire to be an authentic community of broken people eagerly seeking gospel renewal for themselves and the city. In the 8 ensuing years, they have faithfully lived out this mission, and witnessed this little family birthed in Culver City become an incredibly diverse, inclusive, healing, gospel-centered church that has deeply impacted the lives of many on the Westside and throughout greater Los Angeles.
About the Project
At Renew Church, I served as the Operations Director and was dedicated to enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of a vibrant community. My role involved spearheading strategic planning and execution, encompassing everything from resource allocation to process optimization. I implemented innovative solutions to foster growth, both in terms of the organization’s reach and the development of its people. I nurtured a culture of transparency, inclusion, and continuous improvement. By aligning operations with Renew Church LA’s mission and vision, I empowered the team to make an even greater impact on the lives in surrounding communities.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
About Cedars-Sinai
Cedars-Sinai is a nonprofit academic healthcare organization serving the diverse Los Angeles community and beyond. With pioneering medical research achievements, education programs defining the future of healthcare, and wide-ranging community benefit activities, they’re setting new standards for quality and innovation in patient care.
About the Project
At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, I served as the Special Events Program Manager. I formulated and executed strategies for the Community Health Improvement (CHI) department to enhance community engagement, health care delivery, and patient outcomes, resulting in a notable 20% increase in community involvement. My commitment to excellence in healthcare operations contributed to the organization’s mission of providing high-quality care to its patients.
Naartjie Kids Clothing
About Naartjie
Since 1989, the Naartjie kids’ clothing brand has created designer kids’ clothing from their hometown in Cape Town, South Africa. Every piece in their collection is made from natural garment-dyed fabrics that are pre-shrunk and gentle on sensitive skin. Their all-purpose everyday basics include dresses, leggings, lounge pants, vests, tees, sweatpants, and more.
About the Project
At Naartjie, I served as the Director of Internal Communications and took on a pivotal role in managing and optimizing internal communication processes. By implementing effective strategies, I enhanced the flow of information within the organization, ensuring the teams and departments collaborated seamlessly. My efforts led to improved coordination and alignment, ultimately contribution to a more efficient and cohesive work environment. I also fostered effective teamwork and helped maintain a strong organizational culture across the organization.
Video King
About Video King
Video King is among the world’s largest providers of electronic gaming systems, game designs, digital signage and bingo equipment. Reaching a global market, Video King’s entertainment systems can be found aboard luxury cruise liners, throughout tribal gaming and in thousands of charitable, commercial and military establishments around the world.
About the Project
At Video King, my role was multifaceted, combining operational excellence with a strong emphasis on internal communication management. I streamlined operational processes to ensure successful video game production, distribution, and community engagement. Simultaneously, I managed internal communications, creating a seamless flow of information within the organization. By implementing effective communication strategies, I enhanced collaboration and coordination among teams, fostering a work environment that thrived on transparency and efficiency. My work at Video King underscored the critical relationship between operation success and robust internal communications, ultimately contributing to a 25% increase in efficiencies and the company’s expanded footprint in the dynamic world of gaming
Vanguard Space Technologies
About Vanguard Space Technologies
Vanguard Space Technologies is a supplier of high-performance, lightweight aerospace structures. The company provides full service engineering, tooling, manufacturing, assembly, and testing of satellite antenna reflectors, spacecraft structures, and solar power systems. Founded in 1994, Vanguard has manufactured carbon composite and aluminum structures for more than 8 spaceflight missions.
About the Project
At Vanguard, I served as the Director of Internal Communications and held a pivotal role in devising and executing communication strategies on behalf of the CEO and senior leadership. My focus was on key communication channels, including employee portals, newsletters, forums, and events. I ensured that these platforms effectively conveyed the organization’s vision and priorities, fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration. By facilitating vital communication between leadership and the workforce, I aligned the organization with its mission and values.
Bio Ionic
About Bio Ionic
Bio Ionic is an international supplier of professional hair styling products.
About the Project
At Bio Ionic, I served as an International Account Manager and focused on building strong international partnerships and driving business growth. I honed my skills in account management, market analysis, and product development. My responsibilities included managing key international accounts, nurturing client relationships, and ensuring their unique needs were met promptly and effectively. I was at the forefront of expanding the company’s global reach by identifying market trends and opportunities, developing tailored solutions, and overseeing the successful launch of new hair styling products in various regions. I contributed to the company’s success by optimizing sales strategies and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional products and service.
Oasis Church LA
About Oasis Church
Oasis is a racially diverse, Christian church that has been serving Los Angeles since 1984. It is non-denominational and known for social justice work, relevant teaching, creativity and a welcoming environment.
About the Project
During my time at Oasis Church, I served as an integral part of the ministry team, driving initiatives to foster spiritual growth and community development. I played a pivotal role in launching and managing various programs, including business strategy and self-development workshops with in-depth, seminar-style curriculums for a special 12-month internship program designed to equip participants in the areas of leadership, life skills, community outreach and spiritual growth. One of my notable achievements was increasing promotion of the Grief Recovery Group Program, which resulted in a remarkable 900% growth in enrollment. Furthermore, I established a private Grief Recovery practice to provide additional support to individuals, groups, and organizations dealing with grief and loss. My role extended beyond program development to encompass critical responsibilities such as event planning, team leadership, and communications. I believe in the power of compassion and support to make a positive impact on people’s lives, and this philosophy guided my work at Oasis.
Nogales Investors
About Nogales Investors
Nogales Investors was a private equity firm with investments ranging from $10M to $40M and $345M in assets.
About the Project
At Nogales Investors, I served as the Director of Project Management and Investor Relations and meticulously conducted risks assessments and identified key business opportunities within diverse sectors. I spearheaded market due diligence, developed intricate financial models, and contributed to well-informed strategic investment decisions. My comprehensive investment memorandums and communication plans played a significant role in facilitating strategic investment moves. Additionally, I fostered strong relationships with stakeholders, industry professionals, and relevant publications, staying attuned to industry trends and opportunities. A standout accomplishment was persuading the expansion of a Hispanic supermarket chain from 2 to 11 stores, leading to a substantial increase in annual revenues by 500%.
UCLA Honors Program
About UCLA Honors Program – Honors Collegium
Honors Collegium courses, which are developed and offered specifically for honors students through the Honors Programs unit, are a central and long standing feature of UCLA’s undergraduate program. Collegium seminars emphasize interdisciplinary learning and offer rigorous educational experiences that are designed to hone the students’ abilities to think critically and creatively, engage them in applying knowledge, and enhance their communication skills. Most of these seminar-style courses enroll no more than 15-20 students, which allows students to get to know their peers and their professors.
About the Project
At the UCLA Honors Program, I served as the Honors Collegium Administrator where I oversaw various aspects of the Honors Collegium courses; including student application screening, teaching schedules, classroom logistics, and onboarding training for a group of esteemed professors specializing in diverse fields. I actively contributed to increasing the program’s visibility and enrollment by designing and implementing strategic outreach workshops and recruitment campaigns, resulting in a 20% increase in program visibility and enrollment.
Berg Mill Supply Co.
About Berg Mill Supply
Berg Mill’s purpose is to create value by offering green solutions to those generating waste and to consumers looking to recycle. Their endeavor is to eliminate human specific impacts by directing materials for quality use to an equally minded and environmentally conscious manufacturing sector. They create value in utilizing their global market perspective, financial stability, logistics and operations expertise, and more than 50 years of dependability.
About the Project
At Berg Mill, I served as the Executive Assistant to the CEO and operated as the linchpin of organizational efficiency and support. My role involved managing complex calendars, coordinating executive communications, and facilitating the seamless flow of information between the CEO and various stakeholders. I juggled diverse tasks, from preparing reports and presentations to orchestrating high-level meetings and travel arrangements. My contributions played a pivotal role in enhancing executive productivity, allowing the CEO to focus on strategic priorities. Additionally, I maintained utmost confidentiality and professionalism while building strong relationships with internal and external partners, reflecting my commitment to driving the company’s success.
Turning Point School
About Turning Point School
Since 1970, Turning Point has been graduating students in Preschool through Grade 8 who are confident in their abilities, masterful in their achievements, and empathic in their worldview. Turning Point continues to evolve after almost 50 years of excellence, thanks to their robust partnership between school and family, which not only nurtures the greater school community, but promotes the well-being and happiness of others.
About the Project
At Turning Point School, I served as an After-School Program Administrator where I took charge of creating a safe, engaging, and enriching environment for students outside of regular class hours. I designed and implemented a diverse range of activities, ensuring both fun and educational experiences. My responsibilities included crafting an engaging curriculum that catered to the diverse age groups and interests of the students. I facilitated effective communication between parents, faculty, and students, fostering a strong sense of community and support. By delivering a program that catered to students’ needs and interests, I contributed to the holistic development of young minds while upholding the school’s commitment to excellence.
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Endorsements
Cathleen Cueto is an executive leader highly experienced in product and release management, consulting and change management across a variety of industries including the financial and healthcare sectors. She is a generous people manager who mentors her team members while attaining the highest level of commitment and results. She is analytical, detail-oriented and can move between tactical and strategic matters with ease. She knows how to collaborate and get things done in different sized organizations with different management structures. She built our digital operations capabilities from the ground-up; built a team of highly skilled, Agile, digital professionals along with the tools and processes to ensure strong execution of our most strategic initiatives and investments. I give Cathleen my highest recommendation.
Ed Malinowski, Chief Information Officer | BAYADA Home Health Care
Cathleen Cueto has been my best-kept secret for the past three years. In 2020, I hired Cathleen to work on a very specific project for me, and her impact exceeded my expectations. Fast forward three years, I expanded her role and hired her as my Chief Operations Officer. Cathleen is masterful at doing forensic analysis and support around key aspects of my business. Now, I run two thriving businesses that have consistently grown since I started almost 10 years ago. With Cathleen’s expertise, I’ve transitioned from being ‘in my business’ to working ‘on my business’. If you’re a serious CEO, business owner, or founder looking to take your business to the next level, I highly recommend Cathleen – she’s part of my strategic dream team, and I believe she can be for you too.
Karen Hilton, TAP Executive Coaching & Rock Your Vision Founder / Chief Vision Caster
Cathleen is a strategic, innovative, proactive, and exceptional leader who is highly respected by Senior Leadership teams and peers alike. She built our Digital Operations Group from the ground up, and demonstrated excellent leadership and communication skills in managing the C-suite’s expectations while also fostering close working relationships with project/program/product business owners and IT stakeholders. She is one of the best managers/leaders I have encountered in the 25 years of my professional career, and she will be an asset to any organization. I strongly recommend her.
Charles Lam, MBA, PMP, LSSMBB
I highly recommend Cathleen Cueto for her exceptional leadership and expertise in projects and team management. Throughout my experience working with her, she has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence and has been instrumental in the success of our projects. Cathleen’s ability to effectively communicate and align our team’s goals with the overall project objectives has been invaluable. She ensures that everyone is on the same page and understands their roles and responsibilities, which greatly contributes to the smooth execution of our projects.
Additionally, her proactive approach to problem-solving and her ability to anticipate potential challenges have been crucial in mitigating risks and keeping our projects/programs on track. She is always available to provide guidance and support, and her open-door policy fosters a collaborative and positive work environment.
Furthermore, her strong organizational skills and attention to detail have greatly contributed to the efficiency and effectiveness of our project management processes. She consistently ensures that all program documentation is accurate, up-to-date, and easily accessible, which has greatly facilitated our decision-making and reporting processes.
Overall, working with Cathleen has been an enriching experience. Her leadership, expertise, and dedication to our team’s success have been truly inspiring. I have learned a great deal from her and have no doubt that she would be a valuable asset to any organization or program.
Sneha Medina, MBA, PMP®, PMI-ACP®, CSM
I had the pleasure to work for Cathleen Cueto at BAYADA Home Health Care as a project manager. Cathleen had the vision to centralize project reporting and standards across digital Initiatives. She hired a team of project managers that exceeds anything I’ve personally ever seen in my career. Her team was very seasoned and aligned on her vision. We accomplished more, as a Digital PMO, than most organizations I’ve worked for, and did so in a very short amount of time. It was a true pleasure to work with Cathleen.
Shane Kennett, PMP, CSM
Cathleen hired me as an IT project manager and my experience and interactions with Cathleen have always been positive and uplifting. Her style of management and leadership abilities are second to none, along with strong support and encouragement for me to do my best every day as a project management professional. I have been an IT project manager for almost 30 years and have worked for many different PMOs and their managers, and I can easily place Cathleen as one of the top five managers I’ve had the pleasure to work with/for. This endorsement for Cathleen is my way of saying thank you and to express appreciation for the time that we worked together. She is utterly and unequivocally a true professional, and I’m glad I had a chance to work within her team.
Keith Tularaksa, Project Manager
The phrase “servant leader” is often misused, but is truly appropriate in describing Cathleen Cueto. I had the pleasure of working for Cathleen supporting her Program Management Office at a large health care provider. She was always clear and direct in communicating her vision and guidance, but never in a command and control fashion. Cathleen has a unique ability to empathize with her individual team members, and then she tailors her approach to the needs and style of those individuals. She always listens first, then forms her opinion and strategy. This allowed her – and we on the team – to be an effective partner to the product owners we supported. Tied to that approach was her ability to assemble an incredibly talented team, each with unique strengths, yet the ability to work together to execute her vision.
Jack Merritt, PMP, CSM
I had the great pleasure of viewing Cathleen’s professional development over ten years at a private equity firm early in her career, and I can state with confidence that she is a motivated and responsible person with a high degree of integrity. Besides being a joy to work with, Cathleen is a take-charge person who has a passion for curiosity. She is able to present creative ideas and effectively communicate the benefits. While working full-time at the firm, Cathleen pursued and completed a master’s degree in Business Administration, and she was able to juggle her responsibilities at work and school seamlessly. Cathleen’s role at the firm evolved over the years, and she served as the liaison for integrating business communications amongst partner firms and portfolio companies. Cathleen’s experience developing promotional materials for events such as health fairs, holiday festivities, and philanthropic campaigns for our portfolio companies, allowed her to become well-versed in customer engagement initiatives as well as skillfully manage the plethora of personalities involved throughout various stages of her projects. Cathleen also led efforts to rebrand new acquisitions and maintain a current image for the parent firm through the creation and implementation of a new website and other media including videos, brochures, and graphic designs reflective of the diversified industries of the firm. Though she was an asset to our marketing and project management efforts, Cathleen was also extraordinarily helpful in other areas of the company. She is highly skilled at familiarizing herself with situations to identify areas with room for improvement and opportunity, and she excels at adapting in ever-changing, demanding environments. In addition to writing effective employee training modules for our portfolio companies, Cathleen assumed a leadership role as a co-advisor for a licensing process and the expansion of a chain of Hispanic supermarkets to gain support from local non-profit executive board members and government officials. Cathleen is a team player and would be a valuable asset to any company or program she chooses to join, and I have no hesitation in recommending her highly.
Joe Choi, Chief Financial Officer and Principal | Nogales Investors
Watch One Of My Clients Share Her Experience Working With Me For The Past 3 Years
Los Angeles, CA | (310) 570-8001 | cathleen@classygalconsulting.com