Hello, I'm MARY K.
Mary Kerski – Fractional COO | Strategic Growth & Operational Excellence Mary Kerski is a dynamic Fractional Chief Operating Officer with 19+ years of experience leading operations, human capital, and strategic growth for high-performing government contractors and small businesses. Known for her hands-on, scrappy approach, Mary brings deep expertise in scaling organizations, optimizing systems, and building employer-of-choice cultures—even on limited budgets. She has successfully led organizations through rapid growth (900% at Aptive Resources), major transitions, and complex compliance landscapes. As a former COO, VP of Operations, and Chief People & Culture Officer, she brings a cross-functional lens to every engagement—connecting people, process, and performance. Mary offers shared service modeling, data-driven decision-making, and leadership grounded in empathy and results. If you're a small business looking to scale smartly and sustainably, she’s the partner you want by your side.
Details
- LocationUnited States
- Seniority LevelC-Suite
- Highest Level of EducationMasters
Current / Most Recent Job Title
Chief Operating Officer
Industry
Specific Jurisdictions That I'm Qualified In or Can Cover
- United States
Skills
Executive Leadership & Operations Proven success in COO and VP-level roles, overseeing all aspects of business operations including HR, finance, compliance, IT, and administration. Delivers shared service modeling and operational frameworks tailored for lean, growing organizations. Combines strategic vision with tactical execution to help businesses scale efficiently and sustainably. Adept at guiding founder-led and mission-driven companies through transition, transformation, and growth. Human Capital & Culture Building Built multiple employer-of-choice cultures, including helping Definitive Logic earn national and regional workplace awards. Skilled in performance management, salary analysis, and employee engagement strategy. Deep expertise in federal HR compliance, benefits administration, and workforce planning. Trusted coach and mentor focused on developing leaders and creating supportive, high-performing environments. GovCon Expertise 15+ years supporting federal contractors in HR and operational leadership roles. Expert in federal compliance, including NISPOM, clearance processing, and contractor security support. Deep understanding of government contracting business models, growth strategies, and delivery excellence. Holds an inactive Top Secret clearance and has overseen security operations in sensitive environments. Change Leadership Experienced in navigating change and crisis with empathy and strength, including leading through major layoffs and organizational restructuring. Applies best-practice models including ADKAR, Kotter’s 8-Step, McKinsey 7S, Lewin’s, and Kubler-Ross to guide teams through transformation. Champion of innovation, embracing new tools, systems, and structures to improve performance. Data-Driven Decision Making Passionate about leveraging data to drive strategy, optimize performance, and measure impact. Experienced in using metrics and KPIs to support sound business decisions and continuous improvement. Systems & Tools HRIS: ADP Workforce Now Accounting: Deltek Costpoint, Unanet, QuickBooks
Areas of Professional Interest
Fractional COO Work: Helping small and mid-sized businesses scale smartly through operational strategy, shared services, and leadership support. Strategic Human Capital Management: Building employer-of-choice cultures, performance management, and people strategy. Government Contracting: Especially mid-sized firms navigating growth, compliance, and delivery excellence. Data-Driven Decision Making: Leveraging good data to drive meaningful business outcomes. Process Optimization: Streamlining operations and systems for efficiency and scalability. Change Management: Applying models like ADKAR, Kotter’s, and McKinsey 7S to lead organizational transformation. Supporting Small Businesses: Helping founder-led and mission-driven orgs evolve while staying true to their culture. Cross-Functional Leadership: Bridging operations, HR, finance, compliance, and technology to improve business performance.