Examples of Sheryl Helping Clients & Employers To:
DREAM IT / BUILD IT / GROW IT / SELL IT
DREAM IT / BUILD IT—new initiatives
Led a financial turn-around private equity company: Raised $20 Million in new capital, restructured and relocated the finance and accounting team to a more operationally efficient model. (Private Equity Consulting)
Engaged to streamlined finance, accounting, and budgeting processes after a messy ERP implementation. Results: timely monthly cadence of financial statements (after 6 months lacking submission) and completed timely annual audit for PE partners and bank. (Private Equity Consulting)
Strategized and negotiated retail and warehouse commercial leases reducing annual costs $400K. (Private Equity Consulting)
Identified/led successful $10M acquisition/integration of a Columbian manufacturing company in a free trade zone that included a real estate company, a manufacturing service, a Columbian resident partner, favorable tax rates; and a new South American client. (Family Business Consulting engagement)
Increased redundancy/lowered risk/higher output/employee engagement with creation of dual CIO Deputies & Controllers. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Developed/presented to Board a new balanced budgeting model, an Incentive Based Budget that reduces enterprise financial risk by driving accountability/profit for each individual college. Model approved by Board/adopted by all 5 Colleges. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Added $100M revenues by positioning distribution services to gain Chipotle business, entering McDonalds into new market. Minimized ERM financial risks with promotional regional product hub concept maximizing warehouse utilization/supply chain. (Martin Brower, McDonald’s largest ($4B) privately-owned distribution partner)
Founded Kellogg Executive Women’s Network (KEWN) and led the nonprofit’s foundation, then secured Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business alumni leaders to keep growing to 5,000+ current members. (KEWN, a Chicago-based educational nonprofit associated with Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business alumni)
Introduced and implemented an Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) Endowment ($400M) Model for investment resiliency and better investment returns during periods of significant market unrest. —Bradley University (U.S. university)
Redesigned 403b/401K Plan Structure ($500M in assets)—many gains, including 3% reduction in admin fees, upgraded with a new fiduciary and 20+ new investments with better returns. (Bradley University, Apex Media, and LSC Communications)
Selected and fully implemented 8 ERP systems: Oracle (international purchasing, POS and supply chain logistics), Microsoft D365 (manufacturing), Microsoft Dynamics (including a manufacturing bill of materials), JDEdwards/One World (international McDonalds supply chain), Proprietary McDonald’s Coop Platform for national supply chain partners, Net Suite (domestic retail chain), Cashnet an integrated best-in-class cash receipting platform, and Microsoft Project Platform for a PE led $200 million services business.
Commenced a 13-week cash flow projection model where none existed before—was accurate throughout pandemic, enabling extension to a 26-week in 2023. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
As change agent for transformational strategy and execution in a declining industry and via HR direct report, invigorated employee engagement with comp/benefit analysis that aligned pay practices, introduced market benchmarking/change management practices; upgraded 401k ERISA compliance; served on Investment committee. (LSC Communications (fka Fairrington, the largest privately-owned national printer, manufacturer, supply chain logistics)
Created/led Calendar Project aligning on-campus/online classes to ensure teaching consistency while enhancing student information system; in 2023, finished Phase 1. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Completed employee and student Multifactor Authorization. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Championed cyber security assessments and table top exercises for all critical administration areas. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Transitioned proprietary payroll system to a best-in-class ADP payroll system. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Led Amazon business unit through proprietary platform rewrite, including increased via technology the data integrity/price agility capabilities. Ran IT as direct report, conducting regularly scheduled cyber security assessments/tabletop exercises. (APEX MEDIA [Amazon, private equity, & private owner investors], an online & bricks-n-mortar global edtech and high tech electronics distributor)
Renovated dorm rooms ($5M), created new student outdoor dining area, new air handling units for cleaner ambient air, and ADA compliant door handles to enhance appeal. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Finished $100M Business/Engineering Center construction; advocated for highly visible green space—acquired commercial property proposed for a more grandeur entrance. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Decreased risk of unexpected financial costs by championing inaugural deferred maintenance plan to prioritize capital improvement projects/cover unexpected maintenance capital outlays. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Supported Paper Source’s recapitalization to provide a second round for growth financing—grew retail stores 300%, revenues over 100%, with no incremental staff headcount by focusing on expanding tech capabilities, plus increased online revenues 300%. (Paper Source, a private equity owned manufacturer, e-commerce, & specialty retailer)
.
GROW IT—growth of existing
Gained a competitive advantage over Amazon by being the only one in the market to upgrade from proprietary ERP system to another proprietary ERP system that had mark to market immediate resiliency via pricing algorithms similar to commodity traders’ systems. (APEX MEDIA [Amazon, private equity, & private owner investors], an online & bricks-n-mortar global edtech and high-tech electronics distributor)
For Midwest specialty retailer with multi-site operations/locations plus separate distribution center: introduced supply chain “control tower;” led board/bank meetings with cash flow analysis and budgeting cadence to minimize financial risks during growth initiative. (SAC Consulting engagement)
Streamlined new employee recruiting and onboarding processes from paper to electronic, including proper protocols for job openings, advertising, and automatic uploads to Bradley University website. Increased number of internal promotions during reorganizations. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Upgraded ERP system to AS400 platform for scalability with the distribution community (25 distribution centers) on time and within budget. Upgraded again from AS400 to JD Edwards platform per 5-year plan, also on time and within budget. (Martin Brower, McDonald’s largest ($4B) privately-owned distribution partner)
Initiated comp/benefit analysis aligning pay practices with management philosophy, market benchmarking, change management practices—raised employee engagement; implemented online, real-time, institutional employment census that enhanced recruiting efforts. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Via ERP implementation, transformed operations with change from proprietary systems to Great Plains project billing platform with a sales and project-based platform for scalability on time and within budget. (Prism Retail Services, private owner investors)
Negotiated reasonable terms for 120+ union contracts with Teamsters, IUOE, and Benevolent Association of Police. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Upgraded ERP system from proprietary to an Oracle cradle-to-grave, managing from selection to full implementation within the planned 2-year period, delivering fully on time and within budget. (The Room Place, a private equity owned manufacturer, e-commerce, & specialty retailer)
Led successful harassment and Title IX compliance/employee manuals development; upgraded 403b/401k retirement plans ERISA compliance, served on Investment committee entire tenure. Halved worker’s comp claims. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Ran ERP system change from Great Plains to Microsoft Dynamics to gain a great bill of materials for manufacturers. (Paper Source, a private equity owned manufacturer, e-commerce, & specialty retailer)
Supported creation of CEO/President’s own social media branding, which was featured in a Crain’s Chicago article on LinkedIn. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Restructured Marketing to be ready to report to President per Board’s request: hired new leaders; rebooted/renamed new marketing department responsible for all institutional-wide events; initiated/executed Student Ambassador program to drive more social media. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Hosted in 2022 a community event for 3 institutions’ 125-year anniversary; negotiated a marketing sponsorship, which saved +$200k in spend. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Upgraded ERP system from proprietary to NetSuite full implementation, including a cash register retail method of payment integration. (SAC Consulting engagement)
Enhanced (with more visible walking officers, parking deck cameras, collaborative planning to reduce property/people risk) the 25-person police/security force managed entire tenure in compliance with Cleary Act and the State of Illinois Police regulations security. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Managed HR as a direct report, where saved $300k-$500k by reconfiguring Executive Comp package; upgraded ERISA compliance with 401k retirement plans, plus served on Investment committee. (APEX MEDIA (Amazon, private equity, & private owner investors, an online & bricks-n-mortar global edtech and high tech electronics distributor)
Led an M&A rollup strategy identifying candidates/performing due diligence, generating 2 acquisitions that increased by 14% gross margin/ improved EBITA from negative to positive revenues—raised $20M in capital to finance manufacturing expansion. (LSC Communications (fka Fairrington, the largest privately-owned national printer, manufacturer, supply chain logistics)
Grew retail store footprint 30%. Reduced by 50% worker comp claims. (The Room Place, a private equity owned manufacturer, e-commerce, & specialty retailer)
Increased redundancy/lowered risk/gained higher output/employee engagement with creation of dual CIO Deputies/Controllers. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Initiated comp/benefit analysis to align pay practices with management philosophy, market benchmarking, change management practices to invigorate employee engagement. Led successful harassment and Title IX compliance/employee manuals development; upgraded 403b/401k retirement plans with higher performing investment options and ERISA compliance. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Managed a 25-person police and security force in compliance with Cleary Act and State of Illinois Police regulations. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Built audit teams who served as “Business Partners,” delivering analyses/reports that improved operational effectiveness. (Kraft Foods, a global publicly-traded confectionery, food & beverage conglomerate)
.
SELL IT—for future growth
Diversified revenues to include digital books, electronics, and performed due diligence for several online educational book retailers that transformed Apex Media into #2 educational bookseller—and Amazon was #1—then successfully sold it to a strategic ownership. (APEX MEDIA [Amazon, private equity, & private owner investors], an online & bricks-n-mortar global edtech and high tech electronics distributor)
Targeted/secured a stable S&P credit rating; improved dining services return to 18% EBITDA profit. (Bradley University, a top ranked national university)
Acquired a vertical line of business (new store open teams) to complement retail marketing plans and existing customer base to grow a primary customer revenue (CVS) stream by 50%. Acquisition was designed to anchor—and did deliver—a sale of the entity to Footprint Marketing Services. (Prism Retail Services, private owner investors)