Member Spotlight, Kiera Ojo
- May 30
- 2 min read
Kiera Ojo
IT Change Manager Lead
Fun Fact
I’m passionate about financial wellness and education as a pathway to living a life of freedom and intention. As an active member of several investment clubs, I’m constantly learning and expanding my knowledge—it’s been a meaningful way to keep growing. One day, I hope to become a financial coach and help others gain confidence in their financial journey. Outside of that, you’ll often find me outdoors—hiking, biking, and exploring new places.
Background
I was raised in Portland, Oregon, and shaped by the vibrant community of West Seattle during my teenage years. I went on to study at the University of Washington, enriching my education with study abroad experiences in São Paulo, London, and Oaxaca. Aspiring to join the foreign service, I became trilingual—fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. With a foundation in global perspective and cross-cultural learning, I built a career in project and program management within the technology sector, earning certifications including PMP, Six Sigma, Prosci, and CCMP. Over the years, I’ve led complex initiatives across industries, bringing structure, strategy, and empathy to every transformation.
Path to Change Management
I’ve had the pleasure of working in change management for the past seven years—a path I was introduced to by a friend and mentor, a seasoned consultant and published author in the field. I learned a great deal from her, especially her skill in turning stakeholder interviews into strategy and navigating resistance with clarity and empathy. My initial interest in change management came from working on several large-scale projects, where I consistently saw that failure wasn’t due to the technology or processes, but to the people side of change. I knew there had to be a better way—and I was determined to be part of it.
Biggest Obstacle Getting Established in Change Management
I had long aspired to work in change management, but breaking into the field was challenging—most roles required experience I hadn’t yet had the chance to gain. I kept asking for opportunities, even when doors didn’t immediately open. Eventually, a large transformation project was on the horizon, and I volunteered to lead the change management effort. With a strong foundation in improvement and problem-solving from my Six Sigma and continuous improvement background, I was ready to step in and deliver.
Biggest Reward from this Career
I genuinely enjoy connecting with a wide range of people and learning about their perspectives and interests. It allows me to tailor my communication in ways that resonate and build trust. I’ve found that I truly care about the people I support—everyone wants to succeed, though each person defines success differently. The best outcomes come from partnership, and I’ve learned that listening, aligning, and working alongside others is where real impact happens.
Bucket List Yet to Accomplish
Professionally, my goal is to lead end-to-end change management for a full ERP transformation—something I’m currently doing in my consulting role. Personally, I dream of spending a couple of years traveling the world after retirement. I’ve lived abroad before and look forward to doing it again once my teenage daughter is launched and I’m free to embrace that next chapter.