Get Your Program Back on Track, Before It Gets Worse
I help biotech and government teams quickly stabilize complex programs, align stakeholders, and regain control of execution. Program management built on a bench science foundation. I speak both languages: research and execution.
Trusted in high-stakes, regulated environments including DoD-funded programs
Helping Biotech & Government Programs Deliver Complex Initiatives On Time, Without Chaos
I step in when programs stall, stakeholders clash, or execution breaks down, and get them back on track fast.
How I Help
Program Stabilization
I step in quickly to assess what’s broken, restore structure, and get execution back on track.
Strategic Execution
I translate high-level goals into clear, actionable plans that teams can actually deliver on.
Stakeholder Alignment
I bring clarity across leadership, teams, and partners so everyone is moving in the same direction
Why Clients Trust Me
Trusted to manage multimillion-dollar R&D programs for the Department of Defense and Navy medical research
Deep expertise in regulatory, compliance, and stakeholder coordination
What client’s Say
Ms. Olsen's primary duty encompassed managing a multi-million dollar research portfolio... She has been a most loyal and dedicated colleague who was indispensable to the directorate. I give Ms. Olsen my highest recommendation."
— John Simecek, Science Director, U.S. Navy Research Directorate, Craniofacial Health and Restorative Medicine
"She was required to work closely with the government but adhere to the rules of contractors. She balanced these responsibilities flawlessly... Shannon is an exceptional Program Manager who is thoughtful and intuitive. I highly recommend her."
— Ann Borlo, PMP, Senior Program Manager
Let's Work Together
Get Your Program Back on Track - Fast
I've spent 11 years managing complex, high-stakes programs, including multimillion-dollar R&D portfolios supporting Department of Defense and Navy medical research, built on a foundation of bench science before I moved into program leadership.
I understand what breaks down in real-world execution and how to fix it quickly.
Core Offerings
(Prices are based on custom quotes)
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The Program Assessment is a focused 30-day engagement that identifies where execution is breaking down across timelines, governance, risk, stakeholder alignment, and reporting. You’ll receive clear findings, prioritized recommendations, and a practical action plan to restore control and move the program forward.
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Rapid program assessment (timeline, budget, risks)
Identify failure points (governance, stakeholders, execution gaps)
Rebuild execution plan + accountability structure
Stabilize delivery within 30–90 days
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Program architecture (governance, milestones, KPIs)
Risk frameworks
Stakeholder alignment from day one
Scalable execution systems
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Portfolio prioritization + governance
Executive reporting frameworks
Cross-program dependency management
Budget + resource alignment
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Documentation alignment (SOPs, program records)
Gap assessments against regulatory expectations
Inspection readiness strategy
Risk mitigation planning
Case Study 1
Program Recovery Recovering a High-Risk DoD-Funded Research Program
Client Problem:
A multimillion-dollar research program was falling behind schedule, with unclear accountability, stakeholder misalignment, and increasing risk to deliverables.
What I Did:
Conducted rapid program assessment across timeline, budget, and governance
Identified critical execution gaps and communication breakdowns
Re-established program structure, roles, and reporting cadence
Implemented risk tracking and mitigation framework
Result:
Restored program structure, clarified accountability, and returned execution to a controlled path.
Case Study 2
Portfolio Oversight Bringing Structure to a Multi-Program R&D Portfolio
Client Problem:
Leadership lacked visibility across multiple concurrent programs, leading to resource conflicts and reactive decision-making
What I Did:
Designed portfolio-level governance model
Implemented standardized reporting across programs
Created executive dashboards for real-time decision-making
Aligned budget tracking with program priorities
Result:
Improved executive visibility across entire portfolio
Enabled proactive resource allocation
Reduced cross-program conflicts significantly
Case Study 3
Compliance / Audit Readiness Preparing a Research Program for Regulatory Scrutiny
Client Problem:
Program documentation and processes were not aligned with regulatory expectations, creating audit risk.
What I Did:
Performed gap analysis on documentation and processes
Standardized program records and compliance workflows
Partnered with stakeholders to close critical gaps quickly
Result:
Achieved audit-ready state under tight timelines
Reduced compliance risk exposure
Increased confidence across leadership and stakeholders
About Me
Experience
I started my career at the bench, as a research scientist publishing peer-reviewed work in biologics before moving into program leadership. I lead complex, high-stakes R&D programs from initiation through execution and delivery, ensuring continuity, control, and performance at every stage. My work supporting Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio placed me within the Craniofacial Health and Restorative Medicine directorate, a mission-critical portfolio advancing dental and regenerative medicine research for Department of Defense personnel, where outcomes directly impact force health and operational readiness.
Operating in this environment required full lifecycle ownership across scientific, regulatory, and operational domains. I’ve seen where programs succeed, where they break down, and what it takes to keep them on track without compromising rigor or speed.
Leadership
I bring structure to complexity and discipline to execution. From early-stage planning through high-pressure delivery phases, I align stakeholders, anticipate risk, and maintain momentum.
My approach is simple: eliminate friction, prioritize what matters, and execute with precision.
The result: programs that stay aligned, move efficiently, and deliver outcomes leadership can stand behind.
Let’s Talk
If you’re a biotech or life sciences company, I help ensure your programs are structured to scale—balancing scientific innovation with regulatory and operational execution. For biotech-specific engagements, visit my specialized practice, Biotech Strategic Operations, at olsenstrategic.com.
If you’re a government or DoD organization, I bring the discipline, compliance rigor, and stakeholder alignment required to execute in high-accountability environments.
In both cases: I help you move forward with clarity, control, and confidence.
Audit-Ready Program Toolkit
Operational templates and governance tools designed to help regulated teams strengthen oversight, improve audit readiness, and maintain visibility across high-stakes programs. Built from real-world experience supporting compliance-driven R&D operations.
