Resume: Alison McGrath Peirce

Principal
For the past 8 years, I have operated a sole proprietorship consulting operation, focused on management development in the areas of executive education, masters-level degree programs and technology-enabled learning. Range of projects has included:

Business Development for the Executive Masters in Technology Management Program, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania; serve as Director of Marketing & Corporate Alliances as a limited services employee from August, 2006 — present; previously engaged as a free-lance consultant, 2004-2005.

Program Direction of a large-scale executive development program for the top 2500 in a Benelux-based global financial services firm, as a subcontractor to ELP, a Brussels-based learning and development consultancy; (2004; 2006-2008)

Business Development/Product Design input for blended learning initiative for Wharton Executive Education; (2005-2006)

Program Management of a customized, experiential leadership development program for a Big Four public accounting firm as a sub-contractor to Duke Corporate Education; (2005)

Strategy Review/Implementation for Knowledge=Power, a UK-based content/platform provider; (2003)

Market Research/Business Development for Aplia, Inc, the firm founded by Paul Romer of Stanford, dedicated to bringing web-based instructional materials to the economics classroom; (2002)

Design/Execution of an extended project for the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia in eLearning implementation; (2002)

Research Study/Market Assessment of the impact of learning technology on the executive education business for UNICON, the International University Consortium for Executive Education. (2001)

Managing Director, Wharton Direct
Developed business plan and launched School's distributed learning initiative. Worked with faculty and team of eight to design and deliver non-credit, management development courses. Managed the relationship with various technology/distribution partners: Caliber Learning Network; Pensare; SkillSoft; FTKnowledge; and IBM. Rolled out three courses in first year of operation, with over 900 students. "Building a Business Case" course won TeleCon '99 award for best continuing education program. Introduced online course in November 1999 with synchronous and asynchronous components.

Director of Executive Programs
Managed broad portfolio of open enrollment, video and distributed-learning products. Oversaw marketing function with annual budget in excess of $2 million; primary promotional vehicles included print advertising, direct mail, electronic media and public relations. Managed staff of 15, with four direct reports.

Open Enrollment
Oversaw design, delivery and profitability of this substantial segment of executive education with 22 courses offered 49 times per year, contributing 30% of overall departmental net income.

Video/Distributed Leaning Products:
Responsible for product development, marketing, and financial oversight of four existing videos and two video projects developed through joint ventures with outside production companies. Managed a one-year contract with Westcott Communications for multiple broadcasts of three satellite-based short courses. Conducted project evaluation/market research of proposed joint venture with Caliber Learning Network.

Wharton Forum on Electronic Commerce
Served as administrative director of this member-funded research Forum, focused on conducting fundamental research on emerging business models for electronic commerce. Managed sales process and provided ongoing member support. Oversaw two significant member meetings per year.

Director of Senior Management Programs
Oversaw delivery and profitability of twenty, one-week courses, offered forty five times per year. Directly involved in evaluating effectiveness and redesigning to improve customer satisfaction. Directed the marketing, design and delivery of the Advanced Management Program and other courses targeted to senior executives from around the world.

Director/Associate Dean
Repositioned product line, program delivery and marketing channels during transition form off-site/hotel-based seminars to campus conference center-based programs, with specific educational objectives. Introduced new offerings and pruned portfolio of seminars that did not meet financial or quality criteria. Intensified degree of customization in contract programs. Negotiated with faculty, equipment vendors, University and Wharton School administration on service, resource and financial matters. Oversaw opening and ongoing operation of 110,000 square foot facility with staff of 100. Revenue increased 70% from 1987-1990.

Director, Career Development and Placement
Graduate Division
Recruited to overhaul career development and recruiting operation serving 1,500 MBA students. Placed emphasis on programmatic delivery to supplement individual counseling. Initiated career development course and career resources library. Streamlined interviewing process. Designed and managed development of on-line bidding system for on-campus interviews.

J.L. Kellogg School of Management
Assistant Dean/Director of Placement
Managed placement and recruiting function for 900 MBA students and 300 interviewing companies. Developed and implemented initiatives to improve visibility in corporate community.

Placement Director, Graduate School of Management
Associate Director, University Career Services and Placement Center
Personnel Assistant, Faculty and Staff Benefits Office