PROGRAM MANAGEMENT /PRODUCT MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE  15+ years’ leadership experience. Specialist in education products and technology development.  History of establishing top-notch project/product management processes from the ground up.  Built and led high-performance global teams of up to 56 and delivered millions in new revenues.

1. MICHELLE KATHRYN SHIRES
6 Owl Branch Lane, Parkton, Maryland 21120
410.404.3329 | sshires31@msn.com | www.linkedin.com/in/ShellyShires
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT /PRODUCT MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE
 15+ years’ leadership experience. Specialist in education products and technology development.
 History of establishing top-notch project/product management processes from the ground up.
 Built and led high-performance global teams of up to 56 and delivered millions in new revenues.
Selected testimonials:
“There are very few in any company who are the real difference makers. For every 20 people doing their job,
there is one who removes barriers, solves problems creatively, keeps things moving forward. That’s Shelly.”
“Shelly has managed multiple teams with unique personalities spanning several time zones with grace and an
amazing sense of humor on little sleep. When there was a problem, she solved it. When there were questions, she
answered them. I thank her for her tenacity, dedication, and leadership.”
“Shelly will never be satisfied with mediocrity. High standards are woven into her DNA.”
CAREER HISTORY
PEARSON ENGLISH (formerly Wall Street English), Baltimore, Maryland 2007 to present
Director, Retail Product Development, 2014 to present
Promoted following acquisition of former employer (Wall Street English) by Pearson PLC in 2014. Lead team of
230+ through 11 product owners and technical project managers. Oversee portfolio of 50+ projects under 3
programs, controlling budget of over $15M and collaborating with internal and external partners. Accountable
for developing commercially successful products for a global network of 29 countries (franchise and corporate-
owned) and 429 schools.
 Pioneered multiple changes, including establishing digital product development processes, implementing
Agile development, and instilling communication best practices:
o Increased revenues 10% and boosted productivity approximately 20%; reduced costs 15% by
maximizing synergies and reuse, and building for multiple uses.
 Led major initiative to redevelop and re-launch a core product in China; met tight 18-month deadline and
delivered product $300K under budget:
o Grew from 8 to 56 teams; developed 14 major delivery tools, 40 hours of high-quality video content,
6,000+ learning objects, and all go-to-market plans.
o The new product is expected to generate an additional $18M a year in China alone, and $7.5M
in royalties from the global franchise network.
 Built efficacy into the entire design, development and go-to market process, creating an approach that was
recognized as a success story throughout the entire company and resulted in receipt of an EUX Media
award for Best Digital Education Series Impact.
 Established governance through steering committees, product councils, and change control; ran company’s
first fully transparent program, sharing all presentations, demonstrations, reports, and discussions online.
Executive Director, Global Product & Systems Development, 2011 to 2013
Led 20+ global teams through 9 direct reports. Supported the creation of products and services for 460+ private
language schools in over 28 countries. Managed full product development lifecycle including market research,
stakeholder analysis, portfolio prioritization, product roadmaps, requirements, design, development, verification,
pilot, global rollout, and feedback loops.

2. MICHELLE KATHRYN SHIRES, Page 2
PEARSON ENGLISH (Continued)
 Drove innovation and 95% on-time delivery by employing traditional product development approaches,
Lean Startup (BLM) practices, Agile principles, and Waterfall processes.
 Delivered the organization’s first successful global product update, creating systems, processes and
approaches that have resulted in 100% success for all subsequent updates
 Played a key role in preparing the organization for sale by managing multiple priority projects to completion.
 Pioneered new local project management approach to deliver on commitments despite extremely lean
staffing and limited resources.
 Achieved the highest franchise and customer satisfaction ratings in company history by developing
reliable and scalable business platforms and products.
 Increased Didactic Materials (DM) revenue by 13% and reduced operating costs by 35% transforming to
digital DM from traditional printed formats.
Senior Project Manager, 2007 to 2011
Managed multiple products, projects, and services through 3global project management offices and 60 team
members. Accountable for project scope, schedules, and budgets. Led design, development, and delivery of
2,500+ multimedia activities, 20 student manuals, and 220+ instructor-led class activities.
 Transformed stalled redevelopment of the company’s core product, a project that was $2M over budget and
one year behind schedule:
o Rebuilt all project management processes, systems, schedules and scope definitions.
o Deployed product across 24 countries and over 350 schools in just 14 months (a company
record).
o Delivered hugely successful new product that has grown to service 200,000 global students and
generate revenues of up to $70M per year.
BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY, Towson, Maryland 2001 to 2007
Assistant Director for Project Management, 2006 to 2007
Technology Support Coordinator, 2003 to 2006 | Planning & Evaluation Coordinator, 2001 to 2003
Earned multiple promotions before assuming newly created role. Led the transition to digital services within a
very traditional environment. Served as program manager for cross-functional projects across the organization
and managed team of 50 in planning and evaluation, IT, facilities management and facilities services. Also played
a key role in the development and execution of library policies & procedures.
 Reorganized the IT department to support shift to digital services, to increase customer services, and to
reduce operating costs. Developed plans and strategies that secured additional funding.
 Lead the design and development of the first Storyville - a children’s museum and interactive play area.
 Led major redesign of library website in support of shift to digital services, and to integrate with new library
service provider
 Built and led cross-functional group to drive digital innovation across the library system. Created 3-year
roadmap and self-checkout across all 17 libraries, with multiple other projects slated for future years.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MS, Information Systems Management, University of Maryland Baltimore County; Catonsville, MD (2004)
BA, Geography/Environmental Systems, University of Maryland Baltimore County; Catonsville MD (2001)

3. Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) - Project Management Institute (2005 to 2013)