Jennifer Ankofski Resume

Jennifer Ankofski
Project Manager | Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

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Professional Summary

Jennifer Ankofski is a PMP-certified Project Manager and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt based in Okemos, Michigan. She specializes in leading cross-functional teams, improving processes, developing training and communication, and helping organizations implement practical, people-focused solutions. 

Professional Experience

Senior Continuous Improvement Facilitator
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

(Current)

·        Lead strategic initiatives focused on process improvement, operational efficiency, and employee engagement. 

·        Manage the full project lifecycle, including scope development, stakeholder coordination, scheduling, project tracking, implementation planning, documentation management, and executive-level reporting.

·        Facilitate focus groups, workshops, and stakeholder discussions to identify challenges, analyze workflows, develop recommendations, and communicate findings to executive leadership.

·        Train employees in Lean methodology and mentor facilitators and team leads, providing coaching, guidance, and feedback to support staff development and project success.

·        Lead implementation planning, establish success measures, and monitor progress to ensure improvements are successfully implemented and sustained. 

·        Develop communication plans, project documentation, and leadership presentations to support implementation efforts and organizational change initiatives.

Volunteer Coordinator (Volunteer Role)
Happy Feet Pet Rescue

·        Provided leadership, coaching, and support to more than 80 active volunteers, fostering engagement, accountability, and a positive volunteer culture.

·        Developed and delivered volunteer onboarding and training programs, facilitating orientation sessions and coaching peer trainers to ensure consistent and effective learning experiences.

·        Redesigned the onboarding process with a monthly orientation schedule, standardized training materials, and a peer trainer program.

·        Coordinated and supervised group volunteer events at the building, managing logistics and providing on-site guidance to ensure successful and engaging experiences.

·        Monitored volunteer engagement through ongoing check-ins and short-form surveys, using feedback to refine onboarding, training, and communication practices.

·        Developed tracking tools for veterinary documentation and medication administration to improve compliance, consistency, and record accuracy. 

Pathways to Potential Success Coach
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

·        Independently built a comprehensive school-based engagement program from the ground up, reducing chronic absenteeism by 12% through outreach services, after school programming, and data-driven interventions.

·        Managed multiple initiatives simultaneously, coordinating stakeholders, services, resources, events, and communications to achieve program goals and improve outcomes for students and families. 

·        Developed presentations, reports, and outreach materials tailored to parents, school staff, community partners, and school leadership. 

·        Created and implemented student engagement programs, events, and activities designed to improve attendance, strengthen school connectedness, and support student success.

·        Analyzed attendance trends and program data to identify improvement opportunities, develop intervention strategies, and work with students and parents to achieve results.

·        Managed casework for state benefits, such as TANF, SNAP, and Medicaid, ensuring timely service delivery, accuracy, and compliance with state and federal regulations.

·        Built partnerships with local businesses to expand programming opportunities, coordinate resources, and secure funding support for student and family engagement activities.

Key Skills

Project management, program management, process improvement, training development, training delivery, employee engagement, volunteer engagement, cross-functional team leadership, change management, project execution, stakeholder engagement, program development, professional presentations, Microsoft Office, Visio, Planner, Jira, Asana.

Certifications and Education

Project Management Professional (PMP) – Project Management Institute

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – Council for Six Sigma Certification
Certificate – Meeting the Leadership Challenge – Walden University

Certificate – Employee Engagement and Motivation – Walden University

Lean Process Improvement Certification – State of Michigan 

Bachelor of General Studies – Human Services & Psychology – Baker College