Kara Preas Huertas

MPA | Service Excellence Executive

 

EXPERIENCE

NextStep, Seattle, WA

Director of Customer Success - January 2021 - PRESENT

  • Scaled up CNA mentor program across multiple states partnering with other leaders on the development of product features, CRM build-out, and learner engagement strategies in order to meet business goals.

Manager of Customer Success - December 2019 - December 2020

  • Ground-up development of CNA mentor program to support the product and engage learners from registration through 90 days on the job. Worked in sync with engineering, design, sales, marketing, regulatory, and clinical operations.

Product Manager - December 2018 - December 2019

  • As NextStep’s founding employee oversaw the development and launch of user-facing in-app theory and video content. Hired and managed a team of RN researchers, writers, editors spanning across the U.S.

SEIU 775 Benefits Group, Seattle, WA

Senior Program Manager - May 2016 - November 2018

  • Utilized predictive analytics and service design to build, launch, and scale a peer mentor program reducing churn within a state-wide Home Care Aide Training program serving 40,000 students a year.

Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA

Project Manager - October 2014 - April 2016

  • Advanced research and operational priorities developed by the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division’s Executive Committee in partnership with the Division Administrator.

LifeCenter Northwest, Bellevue, WA

Family Services Manager - February 2014 - October 2014

  • Managed a team of Donation Coordinators responsible for responding to hospitals within a four-state region to provide guidance and support to hospital staff and families in the ICU during the organ donation process.

Hospital Development Program Manager - October 2010 - January 2014

  • Excelled in relationship management and leveraging commonality to drive forward policies, processes, and systems to improve organ and tissue donation outcomes across the largest hospital system in a four-state region, as well as the King County Medical Examiners office. Led committees and training programs with physicians, nurses, and ancillary staff. Reported data to hospital administrators regularly.

Organ Donation Coordinator - September 2003 - 2010

  • Provided guidance and support to ICU staff and families in the hospital during the donation process. Facilitated training, education, and case reviews with medical teams. Ensured compliance with federal regulations and advised on donation-related hospital policies, protocols, and practices.

 
 

SKILLS & EXPERTISE

Strategy & Leadership

Tech Start-Up Experience

Project Management

Team Building & People Management

Program Development

Operational Implementation

Training Design & Development

Process Improvement

Relationship Management

Data-Driven metrics

EDUCATION

Seattle University - MPA

Eastern Washington University - BA Psychology

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Washington State Bar Association, Seattle, WA

  • Character and Fitness Board Member - Feb 2016 - Sept 2018

PATH, Seattle, WA

  • Maternal and Child Health Research Intern - May 2013 - 2014

Filipino SDA Church Medical Mission, Luzon, Philippines

  • Medical Assistant - Oct 2005