Cal Kennedy

Responsible for serving as a key resource in providing project support for various initiatives within the financial operations area. Working with directors and designated staff in each area to coordinate merger and project management activities. Assisting with major process improvement efforts; developing and managing relationship between it and internal staff. Ensuring regulatory operational needs are met within the established guidelines.

• Perform project intake, requirements gathering , and user acceptance testing on multiple ongoing projects • Collaborate with business stakeholders on project scope, status and impacts • Manage and maintain BCBS’s “Cash Application Hub” financial system • Plan and organize project timelines including testing schedules • Effectively communicate business needs to IT through emails and meetings

Customer Service Center Operations • Responsible for critical month-end financial journal entries and key reports • Performed extensive investigation into the effects of poor phone service level on customer behavior; presented the results to executive leadership Distribution Center Operations • Co-led expansive analytical project on the costs and benefits of raising wage rates at the distribution center level supporting the executive decision to increase wage rates • Built dynamic, flexible excel-based financial model from scratch as well as a PowerPoint presentation which was presented to the CEO and CFO Sustainability • Initiated and worked to automate the process of collecting and reporting Grainger’s recycling and waste data at the distribution center level • Launched the Pallet Re-Use Initiative to reduce the number of purchased pallets at the distribution center level with potential annual savings of $500k to $1M • Built and maintained a monthly savings tracker related to the Pallet Re-Use Initiative to monitor its progress • Led CDP Scope 3 data collection and reporting

• Completed a one-year Masters in International Relations while also playing basketball for the University.

• Managed the financial regulation of Wintrust's 15 different charter banks • Compiled and analyzed data to help banks achieve Outstanding CRA rating from federal agencies • Reviewed loan documentation to ensure data integrity • Completed other compliance-related tasks as assigned individually and in teams

• Head coach of a fifth grade travel basketball team • Solely responsible for all practice activities and game plans • Constantly worked to motivate and teach the game to young athletes

• Managed the accounts of more than 20 housing programs • Organized budgets and compute variance analysis • Ensured that proper aid was given to clients and that programs managed their resources properly through consistent communication and data entry • Constructed journals to keep financial records up-to-date

• Increased overall membership among retired NBA, WNBA, and Harlem Globetrotters’ players • Connected firms with events involving former players • Connected players to NBRPA events and benefits • Organized and prepared materials and information for the Legends World Sports Conference in Las Vegas, leading to a successful event attended by more than 120 former players

• Took responsibility for and guided incoming students through 15 separate orientations • Acted as a role model, advisor and stayed accessible to students outside of orientation • Held a positive attitude in talking to students and parents and helped them in any way I could • Worked together with 50 co-workers plus staff and faculty to provide the best orientation experience possible

• Loyola University Chicago Basketball Camp, Summer 2014 • Lead a group of young athletes ages 6 to 13 through four days of organized activity • Maintained a positive attitude and worked to make young men and women the best players and people they could be

• Maintained the school’s condition • Restored more than twenty classrooms

Competed at the highest level of college basketball and completed my business degree in three and a half years, inclusive of a double major in Finance and Supply Chain Management.

Lived abroad for 10 months in Durham, England. Competed on the university basketball team. Completed a rigorous Master's Program in the field of International Relations. Visited eight different countries during my stay.