• Rick Lundgren

    Operations, Strategy & Transformation Executive

    20+ Years Experience | $147M + Business Value Delivered

  • Helping organizations turn stratey into measurable results

    Over the past 20+ years, I’ve led complex initiatives and organizations across global nonprofit and corporate environments, helping leaders navigate growth, change, competing priorities, and operational complexity. My experience spans finance, technology, operations, enterprise transformation, strategic planning, and PMO leadership.

    My work sits at the intersection of strategy and execution. I help leadership teams translate priorities into clear plans, align people and resources, establish the right governance and performance measures, and create the accountability needed to move work forward. Whether leading a transformation, building a PMO, improving an operating model, or managing financial performance, I focus on turning strategy into action and action into results.

    Throughout my career, that approach has produced measurable impact—including more than $147M in business value, $4M+ in recurring annual operational savings, 41% year-over-year revenue growth, and leadership of a $76M enterprise modernization program.

    I’ve also learned that sustainable results require more than good strategy. They require people who understand the objective, leaders who are aligned, systems that support the work, and an operating environment where accountability and execution are clear.

    I believe the best organizations bring strategy, operations, technology, finance, and people together around a common purpose. My role is to help leaders create that alignment, navigate complexity, and build the discipline needed to deliver lasting results.

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    Leadership Experience

    Director, Global Transformation (Finance System and Data Teams)

    Compassion International | 2024 – Present
    Serve as Chief of Staff to the ChiefFinancial Officer while leading enterprise finance transformation, financial systems, data governance, strategic execution, and operational excellence. Partner with executive leadership to translate organizational strategy into financial, operational, and technology priorities while establishing governance, prioritization, and execution disciplines.

    • Lead enterprise transformation and operating effectiveness efforts across Finance, IT, and HR for a global nonprofit organization
    • Established governance and prioritization frameworks aligning people, resources, and technology with organizational priorities.
    • Established KPI and executive reporting practices to improve accountability and execution.
    • Led system assessments and developed modernization roadmaps identifying opportunities for consolidation, interoperability, automation, and cost reduction.
    • Led workforce and operating model redesign, including readiness assessment, stakeholder alignment, and change execution.
    • Own financial performance for the Finance Center of Excellence and PMO cost centers, including resource allocation, budget management, forecasting, and investment decisions.
    • Reduced projected FY27 OpEx by 4.5% (~$19M) while redesigning business and operating models to improve efficiency.

    Chief of Staff, Engineering & IT FedEx Logistics | 2021 – 2024

    Served as strategic operations leader and advisor to executive leadership (CIO) for global engineering and technology organization supporting mission-critical, multi-site operations.

    • Delivered $3M+ in annualized operational savings through transformation and process initiatives.
    • Built and scaled PMO supporting 37+ customers and portfolios ranging from $800K–$50M.
    • Directed global technology and operations teams supporting mission-critical platforms.
    • Established portfolio prioritization, governance, resource planning, and executive performance disciplines.
    • Partnered with senior leaders on strategic planning, investment decisions, operating priorities, and enterprise execution.
    • Owned P&L and financial governance for the IT cost center within the Supply Chain organization-facilitating resource allocation, cost management, and operating decisions.
    • Received multiple FedEx Bravo Zulu Awards recognizing leadership and strategic impact.

    Director of Operations (Contract)

    Intellivo (Formerly Benefit Recovery Group) | 2020 – 2021

    Led strategic transformation and operating initiatives focused on revenue growth, profitability, process optimization and scalable business operations.

    • Increased revenue by 41% year-over-year through strategic operational and technology initiatives.
    • Implemented new payment processing capabilities that increased revenue uplift while reducing annual operating costs.
    • Developed portfolio governance and KPI frameworks that improving visibility and accountability.
    • Introduced continuous improvement disciplines supporting scalable growth.

    Manager, Technology and Planning

    Hilton Worldwide | 2018-2020

    Directed financial management, planning, forecasting, technology, strategy, and operational governance for enterprise hospitality initiatives.

    • Managed technology budgets and forecasts exceeding $25M annually across multiple business portfolios.
    • Led financial planning and roadmap execution for major enterprise initiatives.
    • Improved vendor management and operational processes related to invoicing, billing, and accounts payable/receivable workflows.
    • Established a portfolio planning process and created strategic roadmaps to drive ROI for on-premise financial applications.

    Senior Program Manager (IT APPLICATIONS & FINANCIAL OPERATIONS)

    FedEx Services | 2011- 2018

    Led enterprise PMO initiatives supporting customs clearance modification, financial systems, and strategic execution across global logistics operations.

    • Directed a $76M customs modernization program, CASCADE, delivering $147M+ in combined business value (revenue generation and cost savings).
    • Built enterprise portfolio management and governance processes that improved delivery performance, quality, and cross-functional alignment.
    • Served as a strategic advisor on technology investments, business cases, financial planning, and operational readiness.
    • Represented IT on the Enterprise Change Management Committee, helping align technology initiatives with organizational priorities.
    • Received multiple FedEx Bravo Zulu awards for leadership, financial stewardship, and operational excellence.

    Program Manager (Digital Fundraising and Technology Transformation)

    ALSAC/ St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital | Memphis, TN | 2009– 2011

    Led digital transformation initiatives supporting donor engagement, fundraising, operations, and technology modernization

    • Led implementation of digital fundraising technologies supporting campaigns responsible for generating approximately $80M in annual fundraising revenue.
    • Directed infrastructure modernization initiatives that improved scalability, operational reliability, and customer support capabilities.
    • Served as a key strategic partner across business and technology teams to align digital innovation with organizational objectives.
    • Received the ALSAC One Goal Award for outstanding leadership and execution during a flagship fundraising campaign.

    Mission & Community Leadership

    • Point Honduras, Board Member and Ministry Leader | 2024 - Present
    • High School Wrestling Coach, Briarcrest Christian School | 2024 - Present)
    • Harvest Church, Elder | 2019 - Present (1 year Sabbitcal 2025-2026)
    • Harvest Church, Capital Improvements Committee | 2023 - Present
    • Jacob's Well Mission, Technology Lead | 2023 - 2025
    • FedEx Corporation, MSRCT Finance Board | 2016 - 2018
    • MTSU, Technology Advisory Board | 2004 - 2006

    Education & Training

    • Cornell University, Manging Virtual Teams Program - 2026
    • Leadership Accelerator Program (Leading Leaders) - 2023
    • FedEx Emerging Leaders Program - 2022
    • Certified Scrum Master, Scrum Alliance - 2014
    • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification - 2011
    • MBA, Finance, Middle TN State University - 2006
    • BBA, Computer Information Systems, Middle TN State University - 2005

  • Feedback and Reviews

    What do others say about their interactions with Rick?

    1

    Joe Wilkins (Chief Financial Officer) - 2025

    Rick has done a very good job putting structure behind the vision of what a Center of Excellence and PMO can be. He is very forward thinking and works diligently with his team to build a process that is simple, focused and gets things done. He puts actions behind the vision and does a very good job of being proactive, thinking around corners and holding himself and others to agreed upon goals and deadlines.

    2

    Don Murphy (Program Advisor) - 2023

    Labeling Rick as proactive is an understatement, he works like a chess master, seeing the whole board and is prepared for several moves beyond the next decision...through preparation for what's next and by keeping one or more steps ahead on delivering of strategic IT projects, Rick gave the senior leadership team the time and space to think.

     

    Rick excels in both delivering IT programs and enhancing process through continuous improvement enabling his leadership to better support the overall business strategy.

    3

    Chacko Verghese (SVP) - 2023

    Rick has taken the office of Chief of Staff to the next level through his program management skills, thinking beyond the ask, and his financial acumen. He consistently looks at his team and the overall organization for opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

    4

    Kristina Villines (Director) - 2023

    Rick is a man of character, consistency, and competency. He was a priceless resource on my journey to a Director role. He provided vision, leadership, and support by leveraging his entire skill set to aid me in resume design, interview coaching, and compensation negotiation. I felt both competent and confident throughout the process because Rick was in my corner. I am grateful for his character, his expertise and his work ethic on my behalf.

    5

    LeAnne Scallions (Director) - 2021

    Rick is a great addition to any project. With excellent communication skills, strong leadership, and solid decision making acumen it is easy to understand why he can make significant impacts on projects and team deliverables. He is cool under pressure, emphatic but firm when needed. He states the truth at the same time looking for creative ways to mitigate risks and solve problems.

    6

    Lisa Schooling (Sr Director) - 2020

    Rick was a critical resource providing valuable insight into my budget and ensured project accounting was accurate. He always does what he says he'll do and was extremely proactive. Rick alway made me feel my requests were important despite him supporting multiple Directors and VPs.

    7

    David Ramsbottom (Technical Principal) - 2018

    Rick provided invaluable leadership within the very complex and dynamic FedEx regulatory area of TradeTools. His Organizational skills, problem solving, and ability to simultaneously support many functional areas contributed to the overall success achieved.

    8

    Donna McDermott (Demand Management) - 2017

    Rick has a maturity about him that gives him quick credibility in business situations. He is the type of team member you wish for: dependable, smart, and a 'team player' with a point of view.

    9

    Brett Buckhold (Marketing Principal) - 2016

    Rick has been a dependable ally in helplng our Digital Access Marketing team achieve their goals. He consistenly challenges the project teams to think strategically and further than the issue(s) at hand.

  • Let's Connect

    Whether you're looking for strategic planning support, PMO leadership, operational improvements, or a fractional executive partner, I'd welcome a conversation to learn more about your goals and challenges.

    Schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation.

    Calendly: https://calendly.com/the-rick-lundgren

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