Heather Powell
I build the infrastructure companies run on. Strategic plans, operating cadences, organizational systems, AI-powered workflows, and the measurement systems that give leadership clear visibility into what's actually happening. I started as the person doing the work (design, development, client delivery) and built my way into leading it. That path is why I think systemically about people, not just processes: how they communicate, what motivates them, how they learn, where workflows break down around them. The systems I build work because they're designed for the humans inside them, from staff to CEO.
⬇ Download ResumeI make complexity legible.
When an organization is drowning in disconnected information, competing priorities, and unclear ownership, I build the system that makes it all make sense.
Marketing & Creative Operating Plan Hub
My exec team needed to navigate a two-division restructuring. I built a 13-document hub covering financials, process design, technology migration, team structure, service model, and a 90-day roadmap. One URL, every answer they needed.
→ Executive communication, strategic architecture, decision enablementKPI & OKR System for 13 Divisions
No strategic plan existed. No measurement system. No leadership cadence. I built all three: five enterprise pillars, cascading OKRs, automated dashboards, weekly reporting, and quarterly reviews for 14 senior leaders.
→ Strategic planning, performance measurement, leadership facilitationFull-Year Operational Blueprint
A 37-page business plan I authored covering service pricing, customer personas, competitor analysis, quarterly launch schedules, and week-by-week funnel execution for the entire year. The blueprint the company ran on.
→ Business planning, go-to-market strategy, operational depth"Heather has been a key part of my business execution for over 5 years. She not only has the skills it takes to think beyond the norm, she self-initiates solutions to some of my key challenges. She is a true partner in business execution. She is best at systems to make your life easier, shortcuts to make your day more efficient, and longer-term strategies for operating your business with greater ease."
I build departments from nothing.
When there's no existing infrastructure, no predecessor, and no budget for a team, I design and stand up the entire function solo.
People Operations Department (Built from Zero)
No compliance framework, no structured onboarding, no performance management. I built the full HR function solo for 35+ people: recruiting, payroll, benefits, 15 policies, time tracking, reviews, and onboarding automation.
→ Function ownership, compliance, systems design, solo executionI design systems that scale without me.
The best operational work makes itself unnecessary. I build repeatable frameworks so the organization doesn't depend on any one person's memory.
Social Media Playbook Framework
I needed any PM to launch a new client's social presence without tribal knowledge. So I built a sprint-based playbook: content calendar, brand voice, approval workflow, KPIs, and retrospective process. Pick it up and go.
→ Process design, scalability, enabling othersNew Hire Training Guide (7 Portfolios)
A team member joined mid-stream across 7 active projects. Instead of weeks of shadowing, I wrote one reference document covering every project, contact, workstream, and tool. Productive in 3 days, not 3 weeks.
→ Documentation, knowledge transfer, operational clarityOperational Impact Brief
The quick version of everything above. One page: scope metrics, systems built, before/after comparison, key milestones. For the person who has 60 seconds and needs to know if I'm worth a conversation.
→ Data-forward communication, concise storytellingHow I work.
Where this comes from.
Strategic Operations Manager & HR Lead
Sole owner of HR, strategic operations, and cross-divisional planning. Built the HR department, designed the strategic planning framework, led two-division restructuring, and built AI-powered operational systems. Direct partner to the CEO.
Director of Operations & Business Development
Directed operations for a veteran-owned company delivering services through UnitedHealthcare and TRICARE. Managed provider networks, authored the annual business plan, led product launches, and coordinated with federal agencies.
Owner & CEO, Virtually Heather
Operations and business consulting for growth-stage companies. Started in design and development, grew into strategic planning, process architecture, and full operational leadership. High client retention through hands-on delivery and results.
Let's talk.
If you need someone who builds the operating machinery your company runs on, I'd love to hear what you're working on.
Get in touch