Jo Ann Hillery
Organizational Systems Architect
As a strategic advisor who designs and refines complex business systems when growth or fragmentation begins to erode decision quality, my work focuses on translating complexity into coherent operating structures that align strategy, governance, incentives, and execution.
With a foundation in database architecture, systems design, and the no-code ecosystem, I build integrated frameworks that unify data, workflows, and accountability across teams, incorporating automation and AI where they meaningfully strengthen insight and decision leverage.
The result is durable infrastructure that replaces fragmentation, enabling clearer priorities, faster and more consistent decisions, and resilient performance as organizations scale and conditions change.
Key Competencies
Expertise & Service Offerings
AI & Technology Implementation: Deploy AI tools for workflow automation and customer experience enhancement. Develop data management frameworks to track KPIs and measure ROI, translating complex AI concepts into accessible language for all stakeholders.
Strategic Operations: Design scalable operational frameworks, guide technology adoption through effective change management, and identify bottlenecks for streamlined workflows. Expertise in budget development, financial forecasting, and performance analysis.
Consulting & Problem-Solving: Tailor innovative solutions to meet SMB challenges. Present compelling data insights to inform decision-making, while analyzing complex situations to devise practical, actionable strategies that adapt to evolving market needs.
Services: AI readiness assessment & strategy development | Operational optimization & automation | Custom AI solution implementation | Change management & team training | Performance analytics & KPI development | Executive advisory & strategic planning
Industry & Strategic Diversity Highlights
SaaS & Technology Startup Development: Led business development initiatives by creating tracking systems to assess new income and customer acquisition streams. Served as the Director of Operations for a startup incubation, bridging communication between VCs, executives, and tech entrepreneurs.
Commercial Real Estate & Investment Expertise: Developed comprehensive business plans and managed high-level operations for a parent company across real estate, SaaS, and retail. Oversaw investor relations and established a strong business presence for multi-million-dollar development projects.
Operational Intelligence & Strategic Cost Reduction: Successfully drove significant operational efficiency consolidating redundant systems optimizing spending, demonstrating a strategic mindset delivering measurable outcomes.
Global Social Enterprise & Non-Profit Leadership: As Chief of Staff to the CEO of a worldwide social enterprise, facilitated cross-departmental collaboration and managed international events to meet global non-profit objectives.
High Impact Customer Stories
Custom Airtable Knowledge System
Focus:
Building a scalable, multi-team Airtable base reducing operational costs and creating a data rich system.
Story Elements
The challenge was fragmented technology and disjointed workflows. The solution was a fully customized, end-to-end software interface system. Impact included eliminating bottlenecks and reducing operational costs by 50-75% through automation.
Content / Deliverables
Demo-Led Story: Authored a detailed, demo-led case study illustrating the transformation of fragmented operations into a unified, high-performance system.
Replicable Framework: Created a Customer Story Package for field use, showing Sales (and 5 other departments) how to position the custom Airtable Interface as a blueprint for operational intelligence and efficiency.
Measurable Outcome: Quantified business impact, demonstrated a 50-75% reduction in operational costs achieved through process automation
Positioned for Growth: Designed with AI and continual integration in mind, the system establishes a scalable foundation for advanced automation and data intelligence, positioning the company for continual innovation and operational excellence.
SaaS Marketplace for Energy Practitioners
Focus:
Building an integrated marketplace, managing a new product from concept to launch, and demonstrating business strategy & scaling.
Story Elements
The problem was exploitative commission structures for practitioners. The solution was a fully integrated SaaS marketplace that handles marketing, scheduling, and payments. Impact empowered practitioners and created a scalable platform for national/global expansion.
Content / Deliverables
Video-First Content: Produced demo and instructional videos showcasing the platform’s intuitive workflow and its role in disrupting the energy specialist workspace.
Sales-Ready Asset: Delivered a story credited with influencing the expansion and adoption of the solution by illustrating how it empowered practitioners to run their businesses independently and on their own terms.
Positioned for Evolution: Built with embedded AI tools and an architecture designed for intelligent expansion, the platform lays the groundwork for personalized customer offerings and continuous scaling through adaptive, data-driven automation.
Positive Messaging Mobile App
Focus:
No-Code Development and demonstrating expertise in customized message sequencing and subscriber management.
Story Elements
The challenge was creating a positive app for daily encouragement. The solution was a subscription mobile app built on no-code platforms for personalized SMS delivery. Impact shows scalable no-code architecture and a self-sustaining model with strong user retention. The app was sold within 6 months of going live.
Content / Deliverables
Validated Adoption & Market-Fit: Developed a narrative and data package demonstrating the rapid journey to a sustained subscriber base, proving success in driving adoption and retention for similar product models.
Self-Sustaining Model Package: Created a comprehensive case study of the subscription model’s architecture and metrics, positioning it as an actionable framework for Sales Enablement field-use packages.
Customer-Centric Workflow Asset: Delivered assets detailing customized message sequencing, showcasing the technical ability to architect a highly engaged experience and validating technical curiosity.
Education
University of California, Santa Cruz: BA, Economics
CTI, California: Intensive Co-Active Leadership Program & Coaching Core Courses
Jo Ann Hillery
joannhillery@pm.me
Thank you for visiting and I look forward to connecting with you.