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Meher Lanka
Sr. Director, Strategic Programs - Global
Professional Background
Meher Lanka, PMP, is a comprehensive strategic leader with extensive expertise in managing international and global programs. With a revered career spanning North America, LATAM, APAC, Japan, EMEA, and Australia, Meher has successfully established and led numerous strategic programs, outsourcing initiatives, and Program Management Offices (PMOs) focused on business transformations. Meher's competencies are grounded in compliance with Software Engineering Institute (SEI) and Capability Maturity Model (CMM) standards, ensuring the highest quality standards in project deliveries.
Throughout his career, Meher has expertly managed diverse portfolios that include project recovery and rehabilitation, demonstrating his ability to navigate challenging situations effectively. His unique skill set encompasses all aspects of the software development lifecycle (SDLC), enabling him to manage mission-critical infrastructure implementations across various sectors including banking, complex online trading systems, healthcare, Department of Defense systems, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions.
Education and Achievements
Meher holds a Master of Science degree in Information Systems, which he obtained from Steven's Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ. He further fortified his skills by completing a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute, crucial for establishing his credentials in project management. Additionally, Meher has a Postgraduate Diploma in Business and Administrative Management from the Xavier Institute of Management and a dual Bachelor's degree in Electronics & Communications Engineering and Physics from Acharya Nagarjuna University.
Furthermore, his continuous pursuit of knowledge is evident from his certification in Scrum methodologies from the Alliance Group, integrating agile principles into his extensive project management practices.
Key Achievements
Meher has made substantial contributions that have propelled organizations toward success. He possesses remarkable strengths in corporate integration, negotiation, and the development of strategic alliances that align business objectives with IT initiatives. His self-motivated approach as an Outsourcing Program and Portfolio Director has enabled profound organizational transformations that yield remarkable results.
Some of the notable achievements in Meher's illustrious career include:
- The development and implementation of a comprehensive Global Program Management Methodology tailored for strategic programs.
- Successfully reviewing and setting up 30 strategic programs accurately, alongside recovering several programs within just 6 months—highlighting his ability to turnaround engagements under pressure.
- Consistently driving high customer satisfaction levels by reviewing and recovering troubled engagements over a span of 15 years.
- Aligning project delivery methodologies with business strategy and deploying these practices worldwide, demonstrating his commitment to cohesiveness and efficiency across organizational structures.
- Designing and deploying innovative dedicated cloud projects for various applications including SharePoint Online, Messaging, and Office LiveMeeting—an enhancement towards modern digital collaboration and project management solutions.
- Transforming an initial $2 million loss into a staggering $1.5 million profit through strategic planning of project portfolios and by introducing best project management practices.
- Establishing high quality and best-path business development processes within a Project Management Office (PMO), demonstrating financial stewardship with responsibility for portfolios totaling up to $200 million annually.
- Achieving a consistent 50% profit margin on fixed-time and fixed-fee projects through astute business acumen, superior expectation management, and meticulously developed project planning strategies tailored for progressively challenging mandates.
Meher's exceptional interpersonal and communication skills have played a significant role in nurturing and upholding high standards of work relationships with executive leadership and team members alike, fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation. His disciplined approach to project management and program oversight establishes him as a trusted partner in the realization of organizational goals and objectives.
In conclusion, Meher Lanka, PMP, is a seasoned professional with an impressive background in strategic program leadership, project recovery, and international program management. His educational background, combined with numerous certifications, enables him to navigate complex projects with precision and insight. Meher remains committed to driving transformations and creating impactful changes in diverse business landscapes through his strategic foresight and unwavering dedication to excellence.
