Kiara McRae
Cloud & DevOps Engineer | AWS & Kubernetes
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About
I’m a project and operations leader transitioning into Cloud & DevOps engineering. Over the past 7+ years, I’ve managed multimillion-dollar operations at Starbucks, leading technology rollouts, new store openings, and cross-functional teams of 30+. My background has given me deep skills in process optimization, automation, and people leadership.
Currently, I’m pursuing the AWS Solutions Architect certification while building a Spotify-style cloud app (Aurora) to sharpen my skills in Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, and CI/CD pipelines on AWS and Google Cloud. This hands-on project demonstrates my ability to design, deploy, and scale cloud-native systems.
I combine leadership, technical expertise, and a growth mindset to deliver scalable solutions and continuous improvement. My goal is to grow into a Cloud/DevOps Engineer role where I can help organizations innovate, automate, and scale with confidence.
Experience
Store Manager / Project Manager — Starbucks Coffee Company (2018–2025)
Led Southeast’s #1 volume store with $3M+ annual revenue and 33 direct reports.
Directed technology rollouts (POS systems, scheduling automation, mobile ordering) across multiple locations.
Managed multimillion-dollar budgets, risk, and compliance while delivering remodels and new store openings.
Implemented process improvements leveraging data and automation, cutting wait times by 20% and boosting satisfaction to 95%.
Mentored and promoted leaders into senior roles, improving retention by 15%.
Assistant Manager / Project Coordinator — Fine Dining & Banquets (2016–2018)
Managed logistics, vendor contracts, and budgets for weddings and corporate events (200+ guests).
Coordinated cross-functional teams to deliver premium guest experiences, achieving 98% satisfaction.
Shift Supervisor / Operations Lead — Starbucks Coffee Company (2014–2016)
Supported district pilots of new technology platforms and product launches.
Facilitated training and communication across store teams for smooth adoption.
Education
Arizona State University — Tempe, AZ
Candidate for B.S. in Human Systems Engineering (User Experience), Expected 2026
Georgia State University — Atlanta, GA
Candidate for B.S. in Computer Science, Expected 2026
Business Administration (A.S.) — Graduated 2024
