Vanessa Arias
Chief of Staff
Strategic Operations & Project Leadership
Strategic operations professional with 10+ years of experience supporting executives, leading cross-functional initiatives, and driving organizational effectiveness across consulting, coaching, healthcare, and education.
Skills
Executive Partnership & Strategic Planning · Cross-Functional Leadership · Project & Program Management · Operational Excellence · Stakeholder Management · Process Improvement · Organizational Effectiveness · Executive Communications · Meeting Facilitation · KPI Tracking & Reporting · Strategic Problem Solving · Change Management · Workflow Design & Automation · Leadership Development · Client Operations
Expertise
Education
University of Denver — Denver, CO
Master of Science in Strategic Human Resources, May 2024 Strategic Innovation & Change Graduate Certification · Concentration in Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Organizations
University of Colorado at Denver — Denver, CO Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, May 2019
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Administrative Assistant, Colorado STEAM Academy
November 2015 – March 2017 | Denver, CO
I supported day-to-day operations for a growing educational services organization, managing administrative operations, communications, scheduling, and community engagement initiatives. I served as the primary point of contact for students, parents, instructors, and leadership, managed enrollment documentation and reporting, and assisted leadership with special projects, event coordination, and community outreach.
Chief of Staff, Candour
November 2021 – Present | Remote / Denver, CO
I partner with the CEO to execute strategic initiatives, align organizational priorities, and drive progress across marketing, business development, and operational functions. I develop executive communications, presentations, and strategic materials that support thought leadership, client engagement, and business growth. I redesigned operational systems and workflows, reducing administrative burden and improving team efficiency through process automation and technology optimization. I facilitate leadership meetings, track action items, and ensure accountability for key business initiatives. I also serve as a trusted thought partner to leadership — identifying opportunities, mitigating risks, and supporting executive decision-making.
Small Business Consultant,
El Cafecito
October 2020 – November 2021 | Hybrid / El Paso, TX
I led market feasibility research for a proposed business expansion, analyzing demographic trends, customer profiles, competitive landscape, and revenue potential to support executive decision-making and growth planning. I partnered directly with business owner to identify organizational priorities and develop strategic initiatives, analyzed performance data and customer insights to inform decisions, and established workflows that strengthened collaboration, accountability, and execution.
Project Manager, CoCreate Work
November 2021 – July 2026 | Remote / Denver, CO
I direct client operations for executive coaching, leadership development, and organizational consulting engagements, ensuring seamless delivery across multiple concurrent programs. I partner with founders and senior leaders to align priorities, manage strategic initiatives, coordinate stakeholder communications, and improve operational effectiveness. I lead cross-functional projects spanning client delivery, marketing, events, and business operations. I design and implement systems, automations, and operational workflows that improve efficiency and enhance client experience, and I manage project plans, meeting follow-ups, and progress tracking to keep organizational initiatives on schedule. I also develop executive reports, dashboards, and project-tracking systems that support leadership decision-making.
Unit Administrative Assistant, The Medical Center of Aurora
August 2017 – May 2020 | Denver, CO
I coordinated daily operations for a high-volume healthcare unit, managing schedules, communications, and administrative workflows in a fast-paced environment. I served as a central liaison between clinical staff, leadership, patients, and external stakeholders to keep information flowing and issues resolved. I developed and maintained operational procedures and crisis-response protocols that improved team coordination, and I supported departmental leadership through meeting coordination, documentation, reporting, and follow-up tracking.