Colleen Farmer

Content and program leader with 25+ years of success managing complex educational publishing, content development, and cross-functional initiatives. Recognized for driving high-quality content strategies, leading diverse teams, and delivering projects on time and within budget. I love working with other people and am great at communication, love flowers and working in my yard, bring great energy to the workplace with a positive upbeat attitude.

Senior Content Manager at Cengage Learning (2016-01 – 2026-01)

Managed multiple concurrent projects, timelines, and deliverables while ensuring quality standards, budget considerations, and stakeholder expectations were consistently met.

• Partnered with authors, subject matter experts (SME), instructional designers, and cross-functional stakeholders to create high-quality, learner-centered content for diverse audiences and delivery formats.
• Managed end-to-end content lifecycle processes, including needs assessment, curriculum planning, content development, quality assurance, and periodic updates based on learner feedback and performance data.
• Conducted comprehensive content audits and instructional reviews to maintain accuracy, consistency, accessibility, and alignment with certification and compliance requirements.
• Collaborated with product, marketing, and operations teams to support program launches, content enhancements, and strategic initiatives that increased learner engagement and adoption.
• Presented program updates, training materials, and educational resources through webinars, workshops, and stakeholder meetings to promote adoption and knowledge sharing.
• Implemented process improvements, content workflows, and quality control measures that increased efficiency, reduced development time, and enhanced content consistency.

Executive Director, Cofounder at Forever 49 Foundation (2019-01 – Present)

Co-founded and helped establish the foundation's mission, governance structure, and strategic priorities in partnership with founding family members.

• Direct day-to-day foundation operations, including budgeting, community outreach, volunteer management, event coordination, donor communications, and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead the planning and execution of the organization's flagship annual fundraising event, a large-scale cornhole tournament attracting 800–1,000 attendees each year.
• Manage six-month event planning cycles by coordinating 20 committee members, facilitating planning meetings, supervising 50+ volunteers, and overseeing vendor selection and logistics.
• Oversee the scholarship application and selection process, evaluating candidates and awarding 38 scholarships to students at three local Catholic high schools.
• Successfully raised more than $850K over seven years through strategic fundraising initiatives, sponsorship development, and community engagement efforts.

Senior Content Project Manager at Cengage Learning (2000-01 – 2016-01)

Managed end-to-end production and publishing workflows for high-volume print products, partnering with authors, subject matter experts, and vendors to deliver high-quality educational and professional content.

• Directed the production of the company's flagship product across four major editions over a 12-year period, ensuring content quality, schedule adherence, and successful market delivery.
• Developed and maintained project schedules, budgets, and production plans for 5–10 product families annually, achieving a 100% under-budget record and a 97% on-time or early delivery rate.
• Coordinated cross-functional teams throughout the publishing lifecycle, aligning stakeholders on project milestones, quality standards, and business objectives.
• Managed relationships with domestic and international vendors, including compositors, copy editors, proofreaders, designers, subject matter experts, permissions analysts, and manufacturing partners.
• Tracked project performance metrics, budgets, and production milestones to support data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Mentored and trained new employees on publishing processes, project management best practices, and cross-functional collaboration, contributing to team development and knowledge sharing.

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Education, English – Ohio University