Maria Arshad

Advised on expansion to Alberta. And for funding strategy for non-diluted and diluted funding

• Developed and executed product strategy for startups, leading to successful scaling and expansion. • Provided consulting services in business strategy and operations, optimizing organizational design and governance. • Collaborated with clients to drive product development and operations, achieving measurable impacts on revenue and growth.

- Created Product Vision: Be the Go-to Donation (Sadaqa) Platform - Owned Product Vision, Strategy and Roadmap - Member of the Exectuvie Leadership with co-founders - Scaled to $600M funds raised and 2M+ users - Established Product org. 40 people comprised of Product Managemers, Product Designers, Engineering and Data team - Double-sided marketplace

Ideating and designing programs and systems to improve the customer experience Responsible for Software Development and Customer Success teams

Oversee expansion and growth in Alberta

Managing a team of 10 staff across three locations Oversee all functions - OpEx and Financial Management - Marketing and Fundraising strategies - Team Engagement and Performance - Hiring, HR and Operations - Policy and compliance - Government grants and funding

Scaled start-up’s operations from 4 to 40 staff; set up facilities, managed finance and human resource, and supported sales and marketing functions. Met multiple conflicting priorities with finesse; managed concurrent projects to delivery; demonstrated flexibility in ever-changing, unpredictable circumstances. • Flexed intellect in steep learning trajectory, undertaking payroll, accounting, policies and procedures, health and safety, recruitment, job descriptions, expansion and legal issues. • Researched, planned, and executed US expansion, hiring team members, consulting with law firm specializing in US business entities, tax, and other related matters. • Set up human resource systems from scratch – vacation and time off policies, recruitment process, and more; also improved existing health benefits plan. • Filled in as informal Scrum Master as company concentrated on growing team synergy (2017); worked closely with engineering, QA team, marketing, sales, financial controls to align goals.

Implemented an effective engineering management process throughout the life of each project as technical authority of $Multi-million equipment, including RFQ, installation, and commissioning. Performance: • Advanced quickly from junior team member of 40 in recognition of results driven, motivated work ethic; recognized with top performance evaluation rankings. • Assigned to increasingly responsible duties in recognition of quality of work, as well as advanced ability to understand complex technical equipment.   Supported Productivity: • Communicated effectively with clients, departments, and installation/commissioning teams. • Supervised and tracked processes, such as drawing approvals and vendor management, to achieve on-schedule completion of equipment fabrication. • Saved customer $1M by re-defining design constraints and authorizing equipment re-design. • Expanded project portfolio from small fixtures to building systems (sprinkler, plumbing, HVAC), conferring with specialists for best outcomes; absorbed colleagues’ work during attrition.

• Developed project plans (Excel, Google docs and pages) to coordinate multiple projects and track deliverables, and to empower decision making and continuous improvement. • Managed 3 overseas development teams in different time zones, assigning CRM and website development projects (some with payment gateways) for global clients in 11 time zones. • Met challenge of managing client relationships and expectations with non-tech-savvy global customers, largely through over-delivery on commitments and remote team management.

• Researched, Developed and Tested Image Processing Algorithms using MATLAB with a potential of saving millions of dollars Architected a software to determine replacement routine for crossarms used in power transmission lines using edge detection, color correction, and histogram processing Supervised and mentored employees on co-op placements Prepared progress reports, PowerPoint presentations and weekly updates

Managed a team of 25 people to promote the conference to undergraduate students across Canada o Chaired weekly planning meetings o Supervised the planning and execution of marketing events o Supervised the registration process