Brenda Breen

Current

• Member at Broads Circle
• Member at Non-Profit Organization Network
• School Board Member at Capistrano Connections Academy Charter School

• Steering Committee Member at TENG (Technology Executives Network Group) - Sherman Oaks
• IT Consultant at Independent Technology Consultant
• VP Membership at Toastmasters Int'l (TIC Talkers) Newport Beach, CA
• President at The Association for Women in Technology, Irvine, CA
• Advisory Board Committee Member at ITT Technical Institute

see less...

5 more...

Past

• Team Coach, Advanced Career Strategies Class at Webster University, Irvine Campus
• Director of Programs at The Association for Women in Technology, Irvine, CA
• Volunteer - Technical Support, Foundation Assistance at Claremont Community Foundation

• Vice President/Board Member at Pasadena Pops Volunteer Guild
• Manager, Enterprise Services at Claremont University Consortium, Claremont, CA
• Manager, Systems & Operations at Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA
• Director, Administrative Information Systems at Alliant International University (Formally USIU)
• Volunteer - Fundraiser at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training® (TNT)
• Acting Director, AIS/Systems Analyst at Alliant International University (Formally USIU)
• Event Planning Volunteer to Board of Directors at American Cancer Society
• Systems Analyst at Mediware Information Systems, Inc, Scotts Valley, CA
• Patrol Officer at Chula Vista Police Department, Chula Vista, CA
• Volunteer Gymnast Coach at Special Olympics
• Senior ERP Application Representative at Activant Solutions, Inc (Formally Profit 21, FASPAC, WPDS), San Diego
• Supervisor, Data Center at Rick Engineering Corporation
• Finance-Data Technical Support Operator, Human Resources-Application Support Specialist at Megatek Corporation, San Diego

see less...

13 more...

Education

• Pennsylvania State University
• San Diego Miramar Community College
• San Diego Mesa Community College

see less...

Recommended

13 people have recommended Brenda

Connections

500+ connections

Industry

Higher Education

Websites

• My Blog
• My Twitter

Brenda Breen’s Summary

I help universities and colleges solve problems. I accomplish this in partnering with the business, leading people & developing high performance teams to provide technology solutions to meet the needs of the institution.

Please follow me on Twitter: @brenda_run26
My Blog: http://brendabreen.wordpress.com/

I am a decisive leader with over 20 + years IT mgmt experience that brings about positive change. I offer improved delivery and higher levels of customer satisfaction, & leadership in the following areas:

•Project Life Cycle Management (SDLC)
•Resource Management
•Cross-Functional Team Leadership
•Strategic Planning
•Negotiating Contracts
•Capital and Operational Budgeting
•Contracting and Outsourcing
•Data Center Operations
•Establishing new Technical Support Operations
•Training Mgmt
•Systems Mgmt
•Policy Development
•Information and Technology Mgmt
•Release Mgmt
•Risk Mgmt

I bring value to your organization by leading people and building high-performing teams to establish new ways to work and deliver results. My workstyle is collaborative and my leadership style is team oriented and customer service focused.

My leadership experience includes managing high-level deliverables across projects, scope and mitigating risk across projects, project budget/accounting, and directing teams to ensure project plans and schedules are adhered to and follow up with stakeholders ensuring satisfaction with services provided, aligned to organizational goals.

Known for broad technical knowledge, possessing vision and strong leadership abilities and maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction throughout the organization. Characterized as decisive, analytical, innovative, dedicated with exceptional problem solving and decision-making skills.

I thrive in an environment that challenges my ability to use creative and sound solutions to successfully meet the expectations of my customers.

Brenda Breen’s Specialties:

•IT Governance
•Team Building & Leadership
•Tactical and Strategic Planning
•Program & Project Management
•Manage Information Systems Operations & Client Relations
•Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity and Planning
•Requisition and Purchase of computer software and hardware, Service Contract Negotiation
•System, Database and Application Upgrade Planning and Deployment
•Enterprise Architecture Knowledge
•SOX, IT Audit Controls
•Continuous Process Improvement

Brenda Breen’s Experience

• Member

  Broads Circle

  (Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

  August 2009 — Present (5 months)

  I'm a member of Broads Circle, an exclusive network of businesswomen and the professionals who work with them. The networking meetings began as invitation-only bimonthly breakfasts featuring guest speakers such as C-level women executives who shared their insights and lessons from the field.
  
  Mission Statement: Broads Circle's mission is to learn from our peers, promote professional interests, exchange ideas, ask for advice, and share best practices in an open and trusting way with fellow women leaders of business.
  
  Broads Circle's Goal: Driving Revenue and Growing Capital for Women
  
  Driving Revenue by creating a forum where women can make revenue connections, and freely discuss the sharing of business opportunities and revenue. We are all about money and power for women!! We want to create opportunities for success and track your revenue connections made through Broads Circle.
  
  Growing Capital by creating a forum where women can share information on growing their own capital and that of their companies by sharing investment ideas, opportunities, making each other reach, and sharing the wealth by making more money with each other (not giving it away).

• Member

  Non-Profit Organization Network

  (Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

  March 2009 — Present (10 months)

  The Nonprofit Organization Network is dedicated to serving the needs of nonprofit and/or community based organizations that strive to serve those in need.
  
  Collaborating with nonprofit and / or community-based organization, provides a supportive network for nonprofit and / or community-based organizations to better serve their communities. This collaborative effort is in hopes of creating a more efficient, stronger, and more effective set of services for the public.

• School Board Member

  Capistrano Connections Academy Charter School

  (Privately Held; 51-200 employees; E-Learning industry)

  November 2008 — Present (1 year 2 months)

  Capistrano Connections Academy is a charter school under the Capistrano Unified School District, serving students in grades K–12 who reside in San Diego, Orange, Riverside, Los Angeles, & San Bernardino counties. Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
  
  The school is governed by an independent Board of Directors, and primary responsibilities of the board is to ensure the cheif executive has the moral and professional support needs to further the goals of the organization, ensures effective organizational planning, adequate resources for the organization to fulfill its mission, partners with the chief executive and development staff to raise funds from the community. Assists in developing the annual budget, ensuring proper financial controls are in place, monitors the organization's programs and goals, ensuring alignment to its mission and monitoring effectiveness, and serves as a primary link to the community,

• Steering Committee Member

  TENG (Technology Executives Network Group) - Sherman Oaks

  (Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

  November 2008 — Present (1 year 2 months)

  The Technology Executives Networking Group. LLC (TENG) is a professional community of selected Chief Information Officers, Chief Technology Officers, vice presidents and directors of technology with organizations ranging from startups to the global Fortune 100, from non-profits to government agencies.
  
  The Steering Committee will lend its leadership and strategic advice.

• IT Consultant

  Independent Technology Consultant

  (Higher Education industry)

  October 2008 — Present (1 year 3 months)

• VP Membership

  Toastmasters Int'l (TIC Talkers) Newport Beach, CA

  (Non-Profit; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

  July 2008 — Present (1 year 6 months)

  Toastmasters is a Non-profit organization developing and enhancing public speaking and leadership skills.
  
  VP of Membership - Promote club membership through active recruitment and maintaining current membership.

• President

  The Association for Women in Technology, Irvine, CA

  (Non-Profit; Information Technology and Services industry)

  January 2008 — Present (2 years )

  Providing organizational leadership, vision, strategic planning, coaching, and facilitation of programs, events, project teams, sponsorships, membership and affiliates aligned with AWT mission, values and guiding principles.

• Advisory Board Committee Member

  ITT Technical Institute

  (Education Management industry)

  November 2007 — Present (2 years 2 months)

  As an advisory board member of this committee, I provide input into the committee who advises the college regarding instructional programs of Information Technology, presents ideas for the development to this program, assesses the quality of on-going programs and makes recommendations regarding program changes to meet technological, professional, or local needs.

• Team Coach, Advanced Career Strategies Class

  Webster University, Irvine Campus

  (Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)

  April 2009 — June 2009 (3 months)

  John Hall is the author of, and teaches, the popular and critically acclaimed Advanced Career Strategies Certificate program for Chapman University’s Extended Education at their Irvine Campus.
  
  This graduate level course covers:
  
  How to land a job quickly in this tough economy.
  How to identify your ideal job.
  How to create a career, not just a series of jobs.
  How to get more job interviews.
  How to negotiate for more money.
  
  Hall has coached hundreds of people career transitions, taught a graduate outplacement course at Chapman University and previously taught advanced job search strategies in the Graduate Career Counseling program at UC-San Diego.

• Director of Programs

  The Association for Women in Technology, Irvine, CA

  (Non-Profit; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

  March 2007 — December 2007 (10 months)

  The Association for Women in Technology is the largest non profit organization in Southern California dedicated to improving communication, furthering professional development, promoting education, and increasing opportunities through networking and programs for women and girls interested in the technology field.
  
  Responsible for program development for the organization through creative planning, effective use of AWT management, membership, and professional networks. Currently managing ten concurrent projects for senior level executive management.

• Volunteer - Technical Support, Foundation Assistance

  Claremont Community Foundation

  (Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

  January 2007 — November 2007 (11 months)

  The Claremont Community Foundation, one of over 400 local community foundations throughout the country, was established in 1989 to serve the long-term philanthropic needs of our community. A private nonprofit organization, the Foundation accepts tax-deductible gifts from individuals, families, small businesses, corporations, and other organizations seeking to maximize their long-term philanthropic impact.
  
  I volunteered as technical support and foundation assistance to the Claremont Community Foundation as a way of giving back to my community. It's a special small town within the larger Los Angeles metropolitan area, surrounded by the beautiful campuses of The Claremont Colleges, (ranked top 10 in the nation).

• Vice President/Board Member

  Pasadena Pops Volunteer Guild

  (Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

  2004 — 2006 (2 years )

  The Pasadena POPS Orchestra has been a lively part of the Pasadena Arts scene for more than 15 years. Conceived with commitment, The Pasadena POPS Orchestra was founded in 1987 by a group of Pasadena Rotarians and other community music lovers as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the finest musical entertainment. Their first event, a combined chamber orchestra concert and fund-raiser, was held in a private home in 1988. Coinciding with the first performance, the Volunteer Guild and a board of directors were established to assist The POPS in raising money and putting on concerts.
  
  I served on the Volunteer Guild Board as Vice President from 2005-2006, leading the volunteers at the POPS concerts, coordinating with the POPS management, and served as an active board member from 2004-2005. The Guild raised significant funds each year in support of the Pasadena POPS orchestra.

• Manager, Enterprise Services

  Claremont University Consortium, Claremont, CA

  (Higher Education industry)

  November 2002 — June 2006 (3 years 8 months)

  The Claremont Colleges consists of five undergraduate and two graduate colleges, with a combined enrollment of 7,000 + students, and 2,350 staff and faculty.
  
  Led Administrative Information Services operations supporting the common enterprise systems utilized by the members of the Claremont Colleges.
  
  •Program Management of large scale, multiple database, $13 million dollar ERP solution using commonly accepted PMI methodology
  •technical operations, staff, stretegic planning
  •Managed customer requirements and relations, AIS datacenter and functions by establishing operational controls and standards, monitored ongoing operations and adjusted priorities to meet changing conditions.
  •Led fiscal operational budget of 1 million and strategic five year budgets over 5 million, negotiation of maintenance contracts
  •IT audit oversight in cooperation with Sarbanes Oxley and auditor requirements, implemented changes as required
  • Oversight of Disaster Recovery planning and procedures

• Manager, Systems & Operations

  Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA

  (Educational Institution; 501-1000 employees; Higher Education industry)

  April 2000 — October 2002 (2 years 7 months)

  Managed the Datacenter, Networking, Systems and PC support staff and their functions.
  
  •Managed main campus Local and WAN fiber networks and satelite campus networks
  •Project Management of infrastructure planning and implementation
  •Assessed IT audit procedures in cooperation with Sarbanes Oxley and auditor requirements, implemented changes as required
  •Planned and coordinated AIS infrastructure-oversight of hardware, database and application requirements/upgrades from the beginning of the SDLC to the final stages
  •Responsible for campus wide disaster recovery planning, procedures and testing for data center
  •Project Management - planning and scheduling of Microsoft windows and application updates across multiple campuses
  •Maintained client/vendor relationships
  •Participated on Executive Strategic Planning Committee
  •Maintained fiscal budgets, interviewed and reviewed staff

• Director, Administrative Information Systems

  Alliant International University (Formally USIU)

  (Non-Profit; Higher Education industry)

  July 1998 — March 2000 (1 year 9 months)

  Directed all phases of administrative information system operations for the San Diego and Orange County campuses.
  
  •Oversight of AIS Office and managed staff
  •Served as a liaison for the Nairobi Campus AIS to ensure policies and system connectivity are maintained.
  •Maintained fiscal budget
  •Maintained client/vendor relationship and contract negotiations
  •Project Management of infrastructure planning, implementation and upgrades
  •Participated in cross-functional and technical projects related to business continuity and developed and maintained disaster recovery plans and procedures.
  oDefined cross-functional specific risks and exposures, developing business impact plan and recovery alternatives
  •Developed and led AIS disaster recovery planning and testing
  •Strategic Planning
  
  Additional/Campus Volunteer/Involvement:
  
  Mentorship Program - I provided guidance to an international student as they acclimated to campus life, and throughout their academic experience. The goal of the mentorship program was a simple and powerful strategy for student retention that provided support and help build relationships between students and Alliant International University faculty and staff.

• Volunteer - Fundraiser

  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training® (TNT)

  (Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

  1996 — 1999 (3 years )

  Over the past 20 years, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training® (TNT) has grown to become an unparalleled sports training program.
  
  I personally raised $5,000 in support of TNT San Diego chapter when training for my first 3 marathons. Running for a cause was a wonderful opportunity to train for my first marathon and supporting children with Lymphoma. Never did I realize that during my training for my first marathon and fundraising efforts with TNT, my Dad would be digagnosed with liver cancer. This became a personal journey, where I could not only give to a larger cause, running in honor for children with Lymphoma, but also my Dad too. I also served as mentor to the TNT program from 1998-1999. I have since run 20 additional marathons across the country, supporting various charity organizations, and marathons supporting TNT.

• Acting Director, AIS/Systems Analyst

  Alliant International University (Formally USIU)

  (Educational Institution; 201-500 employees; Higher Education industry)

  March 1996 — June 1998 (2 years 4 months)

  •Managed daily operations and staff for administrative information systems
  •Handled system and Informix database administration
  •Provided technical support and programming development
  •Installed software updates as required
  •Coordinated implementation of the academic administrative system and various data conversions
  •Established policies to increase system and database integrity
  •Maintained fiscal budget

• Event Planning Volunteer to Board of Directors

  American Cancer Society

  (Non-Profit; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

  1995 — 1998 (3 years )

  The American Cancer Society was founded in 1913 as the American Society for the Control of Cancer (ASCC) by 15 prominent physicians and business leaders in New York City. It was one of the most remarkable moments in the history of public health. In those early days, cancer was rarely mentioned in public. The disease was steeped in a climate of fear and denial. Cancer claimed 75,000 lives a year in the United States alone.
  
  The American Cancer Society is dedicated to helping persons who face cancer. Supports research, patient services, early detection, treatment and education.
  
  I served as a volunteer to the Board of Directors in San Diego, assisting with event planning for the Annual Wine Tasting Event/Silent Auction, raising close to $100,000 in sponsorship dollars.

• Systems Analyst

  Mediware Information Systems, Inc, Scotts Valley, CA

  (Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Computer Software industry)

  1995 — 1996 (1 year )

  Provided technical support for the Digitmedics Pharmacy In/Outpatient Information System and Hospital Asset Managment ERP applications with large to medium hospitals and Pharmacy clients. Lead implementator for the EDI Insurance provider interfaces.

• Patrol Officer

  Chula Vista Police Department, Chula Vista, CA

  (Government Agency; 201-500 employees; Law Enforcement industry)

  1994 — 1995 (1 year )

• Volunteer Gymnast Coach

  Special Olympics

  (Non-Profit; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

  1991 — 1994 (3 years )

  Special Olympics is an international organization created to help people with intellectual disabilities develop self-confidence.
  
  After being a competitive gymnast in high school and college, and working as a coach at a Gymnastic School in San Diego part time while working full time early on in my career, coaching special olympic children was a passion. My speciality was the balance beam and floor, however I also coached the boys pommel horse, parallel bars and the rings. I coached girls and boys ages ranging from 13-18, and mid twenties, preparing them for the annual special olympics held in San Diego.

• Senior ERP Application Representative

  Activant Solutions, Inc (Formally Profit 21, FASPAC, WPDS), San Diego

  (Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)

  1988 — June 1994 (6 years )

  •Project Manager of a fully integrated inventory control and financial ERP system and report writer applications for fastener distributors and manufacturers. Traveled throughout the United States conducting onsite implementation and training.
  o Warehouse management and Inventory control, lot traceability, EDI, kit assembly or electronic processing of components into finished goods, Import/Export of raw materials and finished goods, manufacturing of raw materials into finished goods, Order and Financial management.
  •Provided systems and application support.
  •Prepared coursework content and conducted classroom training
  •Assisted clients with business processing, analyzing their inventory turnover, shortages, inventory control processing and order fulfillment, evaluating raw and finished inventory levels, recommended solutions through alignment of process and effective use of the ERP system.

• Supervisor, Data Center

  Rick Engineering Corporation

  (Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Civil Engineering industry)

  July 1986 — June 1988 (2 years )

  Manage computer center and supervise the technical support staff, for the following systems, Work in Process, Cost Accounting, Financials, Payroll, Fixed Assets, and reporting.
  
  Rick Enginnering is a multi-disciplined planning, design and engineering company providing comprehensive services throughout the Southwest. Our 450 employees work on a variety of client based projects of all sizes and complexities in both the private and public sectors. With over 50 years of award winning project execution, Rick Engineering Company has grown to eight offices and our broad range of services benefit your project from conception to successful completion.

• Finance-Data Technical Support Operator, Human Resources-Application Support Specialist

  Megatek Corporation, San Diego

  (Information Technology and Services industry)

  1981 — 1985 (4 years )

  Megatek designed and manufactured high performance graphics sub-systems for inclusion in large scale CAD and custom applications.

Brenda Breen’s Education

• Pennsylvania State University

  Business Information Systems 2001 — 2002

• San Diego Miramar Community College

  Certificate , Law Enforcement , 1994 — 1995

• San Diego Mesa Community College

  AS , Business Information Systems , 1900 — 1991

  Attended Penn State 2001-2002, Chaffey Community College 2002-2004

Additional Information

Brenda Breen’s Websites:

• My Blog
• My Twitter

Brenda Breen’s Interests:

Management Training,Professional Networking, New Technologies, Speaking at Colleges, Community Volunteer, Real Estate Investing, Marathon Running, Theatre, Travel, Cooking, Gardening, Lake Avenue Women's Ministry Coordinator, Mariner's Church Executive Women in Business Group, Salsa & Jazz Dance, Ballet, Kayaking, Golf, Tennis, Hiking and classical and jazz music (flutist).

Brenda Breen’s Groups:

•Association for Women in Technology, Officer
•ITT Technical Institute, Anaheim - Advisory Board Member
•Capistrano Connections Academy, Board of Director Candidate
•Project Management Institute - National and Orange County Chapter, Co-Chair Ambassador Program
•ISSA,OC (Information Systems Security Assocation)
•AEA
•TechBiz Connection
•OCTANe
•Executive Career Services, Irvine and Los Angeles
•Technical Executive Networking Group (TENG) - Irvine
•Financial Executive Networking Group (FENG)
•Association of Information Technology Professionals – Orange County Chapter
•Toastmasters - Newport Beach, Club 2116 (Communication, Leadership Tracks) VP of Memberships (July 08-Jan09) - July 2008 Competent Communicator
•Claremont Community Foundation, Former Volunteer - Technical Support (past)
•Pasadena Pops Volunteer Guild - Board Member, VP (Former)
•AREC Marathon Club - http://www.arec-lb.com/
•Educause

•    Executive Suite
•    Women 2.0
•    Technology Council of Southern California
•    International Society for Technology in Education
•    Business Intelligence
•    Business Intelligence Group
•    The Association for Project Management
•    Professional and Amateur Mentoring Group
•    OCEAN - Orange County Executives And Networkers
•    Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology
•    Information Systems Security Association (ISSA)
•    Project Manager Networking Group
•    iPeerGrid
•    Information Security Community
•    OCTANe
•    The Penn State Alumni Association
•    IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL)
•    Association of Information Technology Professionals
•    Technology Leaders Association
•    TopLinked.com (Open Networkers)
•    CBMW
•    CIOs.com: Chief Information Officer Network
•    Friends of Jenzabar
•    CHANGE Consult
•    Linked 2 Leadership
•    The Southern California Venture Network (SCVN.org)
•    ERP Community
•    Business Continuity, Information Security Assurance and Compliance Management
•    Association for Women in Technology - So Cal
•    Peak Performance Group
•    San Diego State University Theatre, Television and Film Professionals -Alumni Group
•    The Official Toastmasters International Members Group
•    Web 2.0 Strategies
•    Software Professionals Group
•    Higher Education Management Group
•    Enterprise Resource Planning Solutions (ERP)
•    EDUCAUSE
•    WEACT - President
•    Influencer World
•    San Diego Mesa College Alumni
•    Southern California TENG (SoCalTENG)
•    DIRECTOR's CLUB
•    Girls in Tech - Global
•    Leaders in Higher Education
•    Higher Ed Jobs
•    Vice President Alumni
•    ACSA-OC
•    Western Digital Storage
•    SoCal Technology Networking Group
•    Women In Information Technology Group

Brenda Breen’s Honors:

Professional Speaking -
UCI - Informatics Class (2009)
Saddleback College - Women's Conference - Women & Technology (March 2009)
ITT Technical Institute - Orange (2008 Graduation)

Professional Development -
2008 Women's Leadership Exchange - West Coast Business Summit
2008 - Disney Keys to Excellence - Business best practices from Walt Disney World
2008 ISSA SoCAL Security Symposium
2008 Project Tomorrow 3rd Annual Innovation in Education Summit
VentureNet 2008
2008 Faith in the MarketPlace Women of Orange County Leadership Conference
2008 15th Annual AEA High-Tech Innovation Awards
2008 PIHRA District 14 Diversity & Cross-Cultural Leadership Summit

Brenda Breen’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• career opportunities
• consulting offers
• new ventures
• job inquiries
• expertise requests
• reference requests
• getting back in touch