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Dakota Messenger

@dakotamessenger

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Experienced Technical Program Manager with a focus on AI initiatives.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I seek a role that fosters innovation and collaboration, allowing me to leverage my technical expertise while contributing to impactful projects that prioritize ethical AI implementation.

I am an experienced Technical Program Manager with over a decade of success in delivering complex, high-impact technology initiatives across education and engineering sectors. My expertise lies in aligning product, engineering, and operations around scalable systems and strategic priorities. I excel in navigating technical complexities while fostering ethical and inclusive innovation, leading cross-functional teams through ambiguity with clarity and trust.

Throughout my career, I have led significant projects, including the NSF-funded SafeInsights initiative at Arizona State University, which focused on secure multi-institutional research data sharing and AI-assisted analysis. I am committed to building programs and cultures where both systems and people thrive, ensuring that all stakeholders are engaged and informed throughout the project lifecycle.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Sr IT Project Manager – AI & Platform Programs

Current

Arizona State University

Mar 2024 - Present (1 year 4 months)

Led large-scale, cross-institutional technology programs at one of the nation's most AI-forward public universities. Coordinated engineering, legal, and academic stakeholders to develop secure, compliant, and scalable software platforms with AI-driven capabilities. Championed responsible AI adoption, focusing on legal, ethical, and technical implementation strategies.

Platform Development Program Management Agile Scrum Data Privacy HIPAA)Stakeholder Management User Testing

Business Intelligence Project Manager

University of Arizona

Mar 2022 - Mar 2024 (2 years)

Served as a cross-functional program lead bridging institutional strategy and technical delivery for data analytics initiatives. Partnered with academic, administrative, and technical teams to implement scalable BI solutions and improve data accessibility across the university's enterprise systems. Managed project pipelines for enterprise dashboards supporting academic planning, enrollment forecas

Business Intelligence Data Analytics Tableau Power BI Stakeholder Management Data Visualization Sprint Planning Compliance

Project Manager

Edmund Optics

Feb 2020 - Mar 2022 (2 years 1 month)

Led global, cross-functional engineering initiatives delivering high-precision optical and optomechanical systems to clients including Amazon, Google, and Apple. Directed full project lifecycles from technical scoping to implementation, working across software, QA, and manufacturing domains. Owned timelines, vendor relationships, and execution in a fast-paced, quality-critical environment.

Project Management Optics Software Development Quality Assurance Manufacturing Vendor Management Client Relations Supply Chain Management

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Project Management Institute

PMP, Project Management

Obtained the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, demonstrating expertise in project management principles and practices. This certification validates a strong understanding of project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, controlling, and closing.

Amazon

AWS Cloud Practitioner, Cloud Computing

Achieved the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification, showcasing foundational knowledge of Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud concepts. This includes understanding core AWS services, cloud architecture, security, and economics.

Google

Agile Project Management Certificate, Project Management

Completed the Agile Project Management Certificate, focusing on agile methodologies and frameworks. This coursework provided skills in leading agile teams, managing sprints, and delivering projects iteratively.

Moody Bible Institute

Bachelor of Arts, Biblical Studies

Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, providing a strong foundation in theological and historical studies. Developed critical thinking, research, and communication skills through rigorous academic coursework.

University of Arizona

Undergraduate Coursework, Computer Science

Completed undergraduate coursework in Computer Science, gaining foundational knowledge in programming, data structures, and algorithms. This provided a technical base relevant to various computing disciplines.