Frances Gallagher

Strategic Project Manager with over seven years of experience leading cross-functional product development, technical production, and operational initiatives from concept through delivery. Experienced managing consumer product redesigns, coordinating creative, technical, and manufacturing teams, and improving processes that support successful product launches and ongoing product lifecycle management. Combines hands-on expertise in electronics, prototyping, fabrication, AV systems, and customer-focused design with a proven ability to lead complex projects, solve technical challenges, and build strong stakeholder relationships.

Lead Project Manager at Knock Out Design Group (2024-04 – 2026-05)

• Lead product redesign initiatives for Nutrabolt and Bero's product portfolio, coordinating project timelines, creative teams, stakeholders, and production partners across multiple simultaneous product launches.
• Partner with designers, marketing teams, and clients to maintain consistency across packaging design, romance copy, branding, regulatory updates, and consumer-facing product messaging.
• Coordinate projects from concept through production, balancing customer expectations, manufacturing requirements, quality standards, and launch deadlines.
• Implemented company-wide project management workflows in Monday.com, improving scheduling visibility, communication, and accountability across the organization.
• Increased monthly billable productivity from approximately 250 hours to over 750 hours by redesigning workflows, improving communication, and optimizing team resources.
• Serve as the central communication hub between leadership, designers, freelancers, clients, and production partners, proactively identifying risks and maintaining project momentum.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects while ensuring high-quality deliverables and continuous process improvement.
• Design, repair, and maintain custom CRT-based video systems, analog electronics, and interactive installations for artistic and public-facing experiences.
• Troubleshoot electronic components and extend the lifecycle of legacy equipment through repair, refurbishment, preventative maintenance, and system optimization.
• Collaborate with artists to prototype custom video systems and improve product performance through iterative testing and refinement.
• Integrate analog and digital technologies into reliable production-ready installations while balancing technical performance with user experience.
• Evaluate system performance during installation and implement improvements based on testing and real-world usage.

A/V Technician, TV Enthusiast at Video Waste (2023-10 – 2026-04)

• Managed daily operations of a public woodworking and fabrication shop supporting education programs and workforce development.
• Developed scheduling systems for instructors, fabrication projects, and public programming to improve operational efficiency.
• Taught classes centered around electrical home repair and electronic restoration.

Lead Education Instructor at Rebuilding Exchange - Reuse Center (2022-02 – 2023-01)

• Managed daily operations of a public woodworking and fabrication shop supporting education programs and workforce development.
• Developed scheduling systems for instructors, fabrication projects, and public programming to improve operational efficiency.
• Taught classes centered around electrical home repair and electronic restoration.
• Led instructor training, developed technical curriculum, and facilitated workshops on fabrication, woodworking, and sustainable design.
• Coordinated resources, equipment maintenance, and shop safety while fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Project Lead, Electrics, CNC, and Carpentry at Chicago Scenic (2019-07 – 2021-10)

• Fabricated interactive museum exhibits, themed entertainment installations, and animatronic systems from prototype through final installation.
• Built electrical systems utilizing LEDs, motors, sensors, automation controls, power distribution, and custom electronics.
• Collaborated with engineers, fabricators, designers, programmers, and clients to develop production-ready solutions that met customer specifications.
• Read and interpreted technical drawings while identifying manufacturing challenges and recommending improvements during fabrication.
• Participated in iterative prototyping, quality assurance testing, product refinement, and field installation.
• Developed custom fabrication solutions for unique projects requiring creative engineering and technical problem solving.

Electronics and Kinetics Lab Technician at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2017-08 – 2019-05)

• Supported students and faculty in developing interactive electronic, kinetic, and multimedia projects from early concept through fully functioning prototypes and final installations.
• Designed, built, and repaired custom electronic circuits, sensors, motors, controllers, and mechanical systems for a wide variety of interactive projects.
• Assisted artists in transforming conceptual ideas into reliable finished products through prototyping, fabrication, troubleshooting, and iterative development.
• Created instructional demonstrations and technical examples covering circuitry, electronics, fabrication, programming, and mechanical systems.
• Trained students on soldering, electronics assembly, CNC equipment, laser cutters, fabrication tools, and studio safety procedures.
• Adapted demonstrations and instructional methods to support diverse learning styles and create an inclusive learning environment.
• Collaborated closely with faculty to improve technical curriculum, project documentation, and hands-on educational experiences.

Stage Manager/Theater Maker/Designer at Maelstrom Collaborative Arts (2011-08 – 2017-04)

• Managed production timelines and team coordination for immersive, multidisciplinary performances
• Worked as a sound and lighting designer, creating immersive complex design.
• Created a show that recorded audio from the audience and played it back to them live in show, as well an interactive escape room.
• Fostered collaboration among designers, performers, and technicians in often unconventional venues
• Balanced multiple production calendars and artist needs while upholding safety and logistical clarity
• Played a central role in conflict resolution and team cohesion during high-stress builds
• Supported artistic vision with clarity, organization, and care across dozens of installations
• Design complex systems for off-the-wall theater productions, eg, escape room

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater Production – Ohio University (2012 – 2016)

Masters of Fine Arts in Art and Technology – School of The Art Institute Chicago (2017 – 2019)