I am the executive your organization needs for lasting impact.
Transforming Strategy into Scalable Impact
Strategic Leadership and Operational Excellence
Executive Summary
Strategic and results-oriented executive with over 28 years of experience in operations, technology management, talent development, and facilities leadership in the nonprofit higher education sector. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, transform administrative functions, and implement innovative strategies that enhance performance and culture. Known for operationalizing vision, delivering measurable outcomes, and fostering collaboration at all levels.
Leadership Philosophy
My leadership philosophy centers around integrity, innovation, and impact. I believe in empowering teams, promoting accountability, and building inclusive environments that thrive on continuous improvement. As a servant-leader, I prioritize purpose-driven leadership, grounded in collaboration and guided by data-informed decisions.
Core Competencies
- Executive Leadership and Vision Setting
- Strategic Operations & Administration Oversight
- C-Suite & Board Engagement and Governance
- Organizational Restructuring & Change Leadership
- Workforce Planning & Talent Optimization
- Budget Management & Financial Accountability
- IT Governance
- Enterprise Risk Mitigation & Policy Development
- Facilities Management
- Organizational Culture Building
- Project & Program Leadership (PMP® Certified)
- Stakeholder Engagement & Communication Strategy
Signature Achievements
- IT Controls Oversight: Providing over 12 years of continuous IT controls oversight with zero material audit findings, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to risk management, cybersecurity, and operational integrity. This consistent track record reflects robust governance, effective compliance frameworks, and a culture of accountability under my leadership.
- Tenant Retention & Building Optimization: Maintaining a stable 83%+ occupancy at One Dupont Circle by strengthening tenant engagement and negotiating tenant-friendly lease extensions and expansions. Successfully secured commitments from one-third of tenants to extend or expand their space during a prior building sale strategy, ensuring revenue stability amid market shifts through 2035.
- Overturned Insurance Claim Denial for Staff Vehicle Damages During Emergency Garage Renovation: Successfully negotiated the reversal of a denied insurance claim covering vehicle damages incurred by 10 building employees navigating a constrained corner during an emergency garage renovation—securing compensation, protecting staff interests, and maintaining trust during critical operations.
Strategic Initiatives
Initiative: ACE's Suite 450, 2nd and 8th floor Space Renovations
Role: Executive and Operational Oversight
Impact:
- Increased Space Utilization & Cost Efficiency: Reduced ACE’s overall footprint by 56%, aligning space usage with hybrid work models and decreasing overhead costs while maintaining operational effectiveness.
- Enhanced Revenue Opportunities: Transformed Suite 450 into a high-quality co-working environment with 19 private offices, 11 workstations, 1 conference room, 2 meeting rooms, a café, and a collaboration lounge—attracting higher education-focused organizations and generating diversified lease revenue streams.
- Strengthened Collaboration & Flexibility: Created modern, multifunctional spaces including executive boardrooms, multimedia studio, café, and lounge on the 2nd floor to support internal collaboration, multimedia production, and tenant engagement.
- Positioned ACE as a Modern Landlord: Upgraded building amenities and space design to reflect ACE’s leadership in higher education, improving tenant satisfaction and retention at One Dupont Circle.
Initiative: IT Department Realignment & Security Framework
Role: Executive Oversight
Impact:
- Strengthened Cybersecurity: Implemented MFA with geolocation tracking and streamlined Microsoft application authentication to enhance security and reduce risk.
- Optimized IT Service Delivery & User Experience: Realigned IT support, introduced after-hours protocols, and implemented SLAs to ensure timely resolution and seamless access to core systems, improving satisfaction and operational continuity.
- Enabled Digital Transformation: Advanced cloud security, system integrations, and automated workflows, positioning IT as a strategic partner in ACE’s modernization efforts.
- Established IT Governance: Introduced structured decision-making for technology investments, risk mitigation, and project prioritization, enhancing accountability and alignment with organizational goals.
Initiative: Lead the Development of ACE’s Virtual Collaboration Infrastructure
Role: Strategic Leader and Implementation Lead
Impact:
- Expanded Virtual Capabilities: Established ACE’s in-house multimedia production environment, including a TelePresence studio, webinar platform, podcasting suite, and videography services, supporting both internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Increased Engagement & Reach: Enabled high-quality virtual events, webcasts, and multimedia content delivery, significantly expanding ACE’s reach and influence in the higher education community.
- Improved Operational Efficiency: Reduced reliance on external vendors by building internal capabilities, lowering production costs, and ensuring greater flexibility and responsiveness.
- Enhanced Brand Presence: Elevated ACE’s digital presence and positioned the organization as a leader in virtual collaboration and multimedia engagement within the higher education sector.
Initiative: HR Compliance, Compensation, and Workflow Enhancement
Role: Executive Oversight
Impact:
- Standardized HR Workflows: Redesigned onboarding, offboarding, and employee lifecycle processes, supported by detailed process manuals and cross-departmental coordination, ensuring consistency and compliance.
- Updated Employee Compensation Framework: Conducted a comprehensive compensation review and updated the framework to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity. Successfully brought various staff salaries to at least 80% compa-ratio, aligning pay with organizational benchmarks and improving retention.
- Leveraged Technology for Efficiency: Integrated digital tools to automate HR workflows, reducing manual processes, improving accuracy, and accelerating onboarding, offboarding, and benefits administration.
- Enhanced Compliance & Risk Mitigation: Aligned HR tools to facilitate compliance training, strengthen regulatory compliance and audit readiness. Also, contributed to maintaining staff turnover below 10%, strengthening retention and organizational stability.
Visual Portfolio of Strategic Initiatives
Certifications & Education
- MBA & Master of Technology Management, University of Maryland Global Campus
- Project Management Professional (PMP®) – PMI
- Executive Leadership Program, UC Berkeley
- Chief Information Officer Certificate, GSA CIO University
- B.S. in Criminal Justice, Kaplan University
- A.S. in Mortuary Science, Gupton-Jones College
Board and Committee Appointments
- Board Member - Association Mutual Health Insurance Company (AMHIC)
- Former Cultural Connection by Design Board Member -Diversity Leadership Education Organization
- ACE Vision Team - Strategic Planning & Organizational Alignment
- ACE Leadership Programs Planning Committee - Enhancing Talent Development
- ACE Space Planning Committee - Renovation & Space Utilization Oversight
- ACE Benefits Committee - Retirement Plan Fiduciary & Health Plan Oversight
- Retirement Investment Plan Fiduciary - 6+ years of service managing governance and fiduciary responsibility for employee retirement programs
Contact Me
I am the executive your organization needs for lasting impact.
Zenitta Anderson
