Diandra Cardenas

Business Operations & Program Leader and U.S.

Army Reserve Logistics

Officer with 8+ years of experience directing cross-functional programs, process transformation, operational analytics, and executive decision support across complex, distributed organizations. Proven track record translating ambiguous mission requirements into structured execution plans, measurable process improvements, and scalable operating systems. Expert in federal compliance, risk mitigation, KPI development, workflow redesign, fiscal controls, and leading high-stakes initiatives across matrixed teams without direct reporting authority.

Logistics & Operations Officer at U.S. Army Reserve (2017-01 – Present)

• Mission Planning & Execution: Direct Operational planning, logistics, and resource execution for a distributed organization supporting 120+ personnel, successfully balancing competing mission priorities, strict timelines, and regulatory compliance.
• Operational Readiness: Advances organizational readiness and strict federal compliance metrics to 95% through rigorous performance tracking, proactive risk identification, comprehensive documentation audits, and corrective action execution.
• Cross-Functional Synchronization: Coordinate complex, multi-echelon dependencies across operations, maintenance, tactical transportation, supply chain supply, and senior command leadership to ensure 100% asset availability.
• Data-Driven Analytics: Analyze personnel data, high-value equipment tracking, and rigorous training requirements to generate predictive resource planning, master scheduling, and detailed operational estimates.
• Executive Briefings: Develop high-level executive briefings and formal operational reports, translating complex performance metrics and resource constraints into actionable strategic recommendations for senior commanding officers.

Business Operations Manager (Critical Infrastructure) at Water Quality Specialists & Coombs Service Group (2022-01 – 2023-12)

Served as the primary operational leader supporting ownership across multiple affiliated critical infrastructure service organizations operating 50+ regulated regional sites, commanding cross-functional operations, strict financial controls, and risk governance.

• Digital Transformation: Spearheaded workflow modernization and enterprise-wide digitization initiatives that accelerated operational efficiency by 25% to 40% while strengthening process consistency, strict data documentation, and program visibility.
• Executive Reporting Systems: Built comprehensive KPI dashboards and business intelligence reporting that optimized visibility into labor utilization, payroll auditing, corporate budgeting, and multi-site resource allocation.
• Contract & Vendor Governance: Managed a complex portfolio of 50+ high-value vendors and suppliers, utilizing strict pricing analysis and vendor performance reviews to slice annual operating expenses by 10% to 20%.
• Fiscal Recovery: Engineered rigorous invoice and contract audits; identified deep pricing discrepancies to recover $20K-$30K in vendor overcharges while implementing permanent internal financial controls.
• Regulatory Compliance: Strengthened multi-jurisdiction licensing and environmental regulatory workflows, slashing late renewal risks, mitigating corporate liabilities, and establishing permanent 100% audit readiness.
• Strategic Continuity: Maintained unbroken operational continuity during executive leadership absences and management turnover by assuming expanded cross-functional command and stabilizing critical workflow streams.
• Awarded "Employee of the Year (2023)" out of 30+ cross-functional personnel for elite operational leadership and business transformation.

Senior Leasing Agent / Customer Operations Lead at Fairfield Residential (2017-01 – 2021-12)

• Portfolio Operations: Managed daily asset operations, contract pipelines, and client experiences for a high-density 900-1,000 resident community while maintaining a consistent 95% occupancy rate.
• Workflow Optimization: Directed a high-volume pipeline of active prospects and contract renewals, continuously improving SLA response times, issue resolution, and portfolio retention.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – University of California, Riverside

Logistics Management – Army Logistics University

Unit Movement Officer Course – Army Logistics University