Tara McDowell

Background

About Tara McDowell

I am a seasoned project management professional offering a combination of cross-functional leadership, team management, and facilitative leadership skills in a variety of areas such as educational publishing companies and national non-profit organizations. I have over 19+ years of experience in bringing a solution-oriented focus to my work. I have a proven track record of high levels of coordination and improved performance for internal and external customers. I have successfully implemented effective communication modes and project management tools between and among various stakeholders. With a blend of on-the-job experience and formal training through graduate studies, I have solid research, analytical and data analysis skills. With strong written and oral communication skills, I have written proposals and research papers for academic journals, created and maintained media databases, wrote weekly legislative updates and press releases, handled media calls from major networks, attended political strategy meetings, served as a public relations liaison at policy conferences, arranged media coverage for special events, and conducted radio and documentary interviews. I have coordinated several events ranging from academic and professional development to community outreach programs for at-risk youth and underserved adults. For example, I served as Women's Initiative for Networking and Success Regional Co-Chair and Mentoring Committee Chair. As the Chair, I led the launch of the Mid-West region's first official 12-month mentoring program for McGraw-Hill managers. I have facilitative leadership and problem solving training, facilitated small and large group discussions and meetings, instructed adult and teen driver improvement courses, and conducted motivational presentations for kids and teens. Specialties: Project management, cross functional team management, business process improvement and documentation