Meredith Vadis - Co-CEO, Playbook Strategies LLC

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Work Background

Playbook Strategies LLCCo-Chief Executive Officer

Jan. 2024Minnesota, United States · RemotePlaybook Strategies, LLC is an innovative new firm dedicated to supporting business and government clients through the most challenging phases of growth, change, and reinvention. Playbook offers clients: -Project management -Fractional or interim executive leadership -Playbook creation & execution -Assessment & turnaround of departments, initiatives and projects -Start up of new entities, projects, or product lines -Data-driven operational systems restructuring and continuous improvement. -Scenario planning. -Relationships management & stakeholder engagement in political and other arenas.

SterlingHead of Vault Workforce Screening, a Sterling Company

Jan. 2024 - Apr. 2024United States · RemoteResponsible for leading the post-acquisition P&L and operational functions of Vault Workforce Screening, a Sterling Company throughout the complex integration of Vault into the Sterling ecosystem. Advised Sterling leadership on resource allocation, service delivery redesign, and technology and product integration.

Vault HealthPresident, Vault Workforce Screening, a subsidary of Vault Health, Inc.

Jan. 2022 - Dec. 2024Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area · Remote**Led the management team through Vault Heath Inc's successful exit. Vault Workforce Screening acquired by Sterling as of January 1, 2024.** Chief executive of First Hospital Laboratories d/b/a Vault Workforce Screening, a mature mid-market provider of employment screening and occupational health services. Reported directly to the board of directors. Provided corporate strategy, P&L ownership, resource allocation, and executive leadership to ~200 employees. Oversaw delivery of the strategies required to accomplish enterprise goals, including: operational excellence, enhancing workplace culture, robust financial analysis, key performance indicator accountability and reporting, high-priority project management, and resource allocation. Directed marketing, sales and product strategy and execution, bringing new offerings to market and directly improving client experience by ~40 NPS points.

Vault HealthSenior Vice President & General Manager, Workforce Screening

Jan. 2022 - Dec. 2022Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area · RemoteServed as C-suite leader responsible for Vault’s Workforce Screening Division, a 2021 acquisition by Vault Health, Inc. Managed P&L, Product Strategy, Sales and Client Success, Business Operations, and Performance Marketing teams. Oversaw commercial partnerships with product and service vendors and clinical labs. • Collaborated with the Executive Leadership team and Board of Directors to define strategy and goals. • Led Government Affairs, Communications, and Marketing teams for parent entity, Vault Health, Inc. • Oversaw 200+ employees and thousands of contractors through a network of 17,000 clinics and specimen collection sites. Vault Health Inc is a Series A start up, incubated at the Redesign Studio. Vault Health Inc acquired First Hospital Laboratories (rebranded Vault Workforce Screening) in May of 2021.

Vault Health IncSenior Vice President, Government Solutions

Jan. 2021 - Dec. 2022Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area · RemoteHeld P&L ownership of Vault Health Inc's Diagnostics division. Direct reports include product, sales, client success, proposal writing and field operations teams. Provided executive oversight of Vault’s pandemic response work on COVID-19 testing and vaccination, diagnostics product roadmap, and future telehealth partnerships. Provided oversight to field operations and expansion teams for COVID-19 testing and vaccination events in communities, at employers, and as part of special events. Provided contract and relationship management at the highest levels to Vault’s government and private-sector partners, including chief negotiator on major contracts. Leads Government Affairs, Communications and Marketing teams and contractors, while setting strategy in consultation with Vault’s broader Executive Leadership team and Board of Directors. Vault Health Inc is a Series A start up, incubated at the Redesign Studio.

State of MinnesotaChief Operating Officer of COVID Testing for Minnesota

Jan. 2020 - Dec. 2020Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area · Hybrid(On loan to the State from the Metropolitan Council) Worked to establish and organize Minnesota’s COVID-19 testing ecosystem in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic. • In partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health, managed utilization of major testing contracts to achieve the State's COVID-19 testing objectives. • Created and ran Minnesota’s Testing Command Center for all major hospital and healthcare systems to share lab capacity, supplies and information during times of scarcity. • Worked to build a statewide at-home testing program, 20 in-person testing centers, and a teacher/childcare worker surveillance program. All testing is free to Minnesotans. • Successfully negotiated with federal partners in the White House and at HHS for additional allocations of scarce testing supplies and federal super testing sites to serve Minnesotans.

Metropolitan Council of the Twin CitiesRegional Administrator

Jan. 2019 - Dec. 2021Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul AreaLed all aspects of the enterprise, including 4,500 staff and a $1.1B annual operating budget. Provided executive oversight to five division executives, as well as directors of Audit, Equal Opportunity, Communications and Government Relations. Reported directly to the Chair of the Council. STRATEGIC PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION | EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP • Served as the chief executive officer for the Council, responsible for staff, financial, programmatic, and administrative oversight. • Secured more than $1B in federal funding to construct two mass transit projects, the METRO Green and Orange Lines. Oversaw project budgets, which were $2.003B and $151M, respectively. • Collaborated with the policy board and Council Chair to strategize on key policy initiatives and operational outcomes. • As required by statute, built and presented an annual budget to the policy board and ensured budget was amended as needed throughout the year. Demonstrated effective financial management of the enterprise. • Led strategic planning for the organization, in close consultation with divisional leadership. • Directed continuous improvement initiatives to enhance and expand services available to communities. • Negotiated and executed key agreements with partners on behalf of and at the direction of the policy board. • Create a positive workplace culture built on the principle of servant leadership.

Transition Team for Governor-elect Tim Walz and Lt. Governor-elect Peggy FlanaganCabinet Hiring Director

Jan. 2018 - Dec. 2018St. Paul, MInnesota · On-siteTemporary (contract) staff responsible for recruiting, interviewing, and supporting the Governor-elect’s selection of new leadership in key cabinet agencies for the State of Minnesota and on critical boards and commissions. • Recruited candidates for agency leadership at the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Council and Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. Led interview and selection process as well as onboarding. • Provided input and guidance to Minnesota Management and Budget staff around transportation topics in the Governor-elect’s budget building process. • Built events and created press materials for public announcement of new leadership team.

Metropolitan Council of the Twin CitiesDeputy Regional Administrator and Director of Public Affairs | Advisor, Strategic Communications

Jan. 2015 - Dec. 2019Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul AreaManaged five directors and 15 senior managers leading Enterprise Initiatives, Human Resources, Information Services, Community Relations, Enterprise Content Management, Communications. Oversaw 200+ employees and $40M annual budget. STRATEGIC PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION | EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP • Collaborated with executive team to strategize on key initiatives and organizational operations. • Oversaw internal continuous improvement efforts and implementation for Council’s Metropolitan Development Guide (Thrive MSP 2040) used by 180 metro communities (counties, cities, townships). • Brokered labor-management agreement to redistribute excess health insurance reserve funds to individual employee Health Care Savings Plans ($400 per employee). • Provided oversight to IT governance reform initiative to reduce redundancy, establish and modernize IT standards, and mitigate risk. • Conducted comprehensive independent reviews of two critical departments within the Council that resulted in needed modernization, staffing changes and process improvements. • Created and led a highly effective executive team focused on streamlining and maximizing the administrative services shared by all business lines, reducing redundancy and unnecessary spending. PUBLIC AFFAIRS | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING • Managed Council’s public relations, connecting government relations strategy to community engagement and communications work. Provide counsel to Council Chair and liaison to the Dayton Administration. • Created and trained new team to better support policy board and further expand Council Member engagement with communities, resulting in a 200% increase in activity. • Project managed transition team to prepare the Council to receive a new Chair and Council Members as appointed by the new governor. • Consolidated and streamlined Council's public affairs work for first time in 25 years since Council's merger.

Metropolitan Council of the Twin CitiesDirector of Communications

Jan. 2011 - Dec. 2015St. Paul, MinnesotaLed 18 staff responsible for daily interactions with media, Council’s social media presence, public engagement, graphic design, writing and editing, and video production. KEY LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNICATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Enterprise spokesperson, speaking on the record with media on behalf of the Council and Council Chair. • Close advisor to Council Chair and primary liaison with Dayton Administration on communications matters. • Dramatically altered Council engagement practices through development and implementation of first comprehensive public engagement plan. • Successfully organized and managed multiple high-profile public events to launch METRO Green Line light rail. Managed fundraising campaign, elected official outreach, public invitations, community engagement grants, entertainment, and collaboration with event sponsors and neighborhood associations. • Successfully project-managed President Barak Obama’s visit to the Council in 2014. • Overhauled Council’s website for the first time in 10 years, expanding web traffic by 75%. • Expanded Council’s social media presence to three new platforms and tripled engagement.

South Central CollegeAdjunct Faculty | American Government Studies

Jan. 2010 - Dec. 2011North Mankato, Minnesota · On-siteTaught American Government 3-credit course. Prepared lesson plans, reviewed student work, and issued grades. Provided references and mentorship to students outside of class. Implemented service learning component to curriculum, ensuring all student had the opportunity to engage in the democratic process outside of the classroom. Received outstanding 4.5/5 score on student evaluations each semester.

U.S. House of RepresentativesDeputy Chief of Staff, Rep. Tim Walz

Jan. 2010 - Dec. 2011Mankato, Minnestoa · On-siteSenior advisor to Representative Walz on communications and policy matters of interest to voters in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District, specifically health care, veterans, agriculture and transportation. Hired and managed nine employees covering casework, communications, outreach and district scheduling. Managed district offices in Rochester and Mankato. STRATEGY AND ADMINISTRATION LEADERSHIP • Managed workflow on hundreds of cases with federal government agencies (85% favorable resolution). • Oversaw design and implementation of outreach schedules, district work period campaigns and public engagement across 22 counties and for roughly 700,000 constituents. • Served as a surrogate for Congressman Walz in meetings and events. Delivered formal presentations on a wide range of federal issues to stakeholder groups, professional associations, and local governments. • Wrote and trained staff to execute annual strategic engagement, casework and communications plans. • Instituted federal grants training curriculum for interested constituents. Created a grant advocacy program, bringing millions of dollars back to Minnesota’s 1st congressional district.

U.S. House of RepresentativesDistrict & Communications Director, Rep. Tim Walz

Jan. 2007 - Dec. 2010Mankato and Rochester, Minnesota · On-siteAs District and Communications Director directed staff of 9, led strategic planning and gathered feedback and generated policy proposals from constituents. LED STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT • Created and executed events around dignitary visits, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic leadership, and Bush and Obama Administration officials. • Oversaw communications including writing press releases, direct mail, speeches and other correspondence. • On the record spokesperson for Congressman Walz with local and national media. • Managed consultants and contracts, including web, CRM, and direct mail vendors. Delivered $250K in direct mail annually, on time and under budget. • Served as 1st District American Reinvestment and Recovery Act coordinator, connecting constituents and businesses with resources to help them recover from the Great Recession.

U.S. House of RepresentativesCommunications Director, Rep. Tim Walz

Jan. 2007 - Dec. 2007Mankato, MinnesotaResponsible for advising Congressman Walz on communications matters, including: - major speeches, press releases, social media, and public appearances; - developing and implementing strategic communications plan; - writing press releases and speeches, managing the website; - speaking on and off the record of members of the media on his behalf.

Tim Walz for U.S. CongressDirector Of Communications

Jan. 2005 - Dec. 2006Mankato, Minnesota · HybridKey advisor on strategic communications and electoral strategy. Developed messages, policy statements, debate strategy, and talking points for candidate. • Primary spokesperson for the candidate with local and national media. • Managed network of 150 volunteers who served as validators with the press. Tracked media coverage and submitted opinion pieces on behalf of candidate. • Wrote campaign communications including website, press releases, and fundraising solicitations. • Managed campaign consultants and paid media plan, including more than $1M in TV advertising.