Business

  • Analytics and Strategy
  • Process Improvement
  • Business Intelligence
  • Change Management

    • Education & Training

  • University-level curriculum development
  • IT Pro and Software Developer content development
  • IT Pro and Software Developer certification exams

    • Science

  • Genetics & Molecular Biology
  • Fellow, American Heart Association
  • Multiple peer-reviewed publications

    • Art

  • Multiple exhibitions in Seattle area
  • Windows app design and development
    • A photo of the dudes

    Check us out at our website.


    Work History (Microsoft)

    • 2015-2016: Design, implementation, and management of the monthly scorecard for the hardware device group (Band, Hololens, Hub, PC Hardware, Phones, and Surface Devices)
    • 2014-2015: Business reporting strategy for the Surface leadership team. Developed weekly and monthly product and organizational reports for Surface devices and accessories, and PC Hardware.
    • 2013-2014: Data mining using R for Server and Cloud Content Services and International group.
    • 2008-2013: Developed and implemented a business intelligence strategy for the Server and Cloud division's User Assistance group.
    • 2003-2008: Developed and implemented a product quality frame and performance reporting strategy for the Training and Certification business.
    • 1998-2003: Various people management roles in test, development, support, media, and release services teams in the Training and Certification business.

    Education & Certifications

    • Current: Web Development, Epicodus, Seattle, WA
    • 2015: C# .NET Bootcamp, Microsoft, Redmond, WA
    • 2010: Six Sigma Black Belt, Motorola/Microsoft, Redmond, WA
    • 2005: Microsoft Certified Professional, Microsoft, Redmond, WA
    • 1997: Ph.D. in Molecular Biology & Genetics, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

    Publications & Presentations

    Microsoft ThinkWeek

    • Benavente, R.S. 2013. Up-Zipf the Quality! Microsoft ThinkWeek 2013 Submission. Thoughts on the Principle of Least Effort and its impact on the product development process.
    • Benavente, R.S. 2010. Product Usage Patterns, Parallel Thought Processing, and the Information Experience. Microsoft ThinkWeek 2010 Submission. Thoughts on the Pareto Principle and how we might develop product whose usage is more evenly dispersed (in top 10% of downloaded papers).

    Industry

    • Andersen, Rebekka, S. Benavente, D. Clark, W. Hart-Davidson, C. Rude and J. Hackos. 2013. Open Research for Academics and Industry Professionals. Communication Design Quarterly, August, Vol. 1, Issue 4, p. 42.
    • University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio. October 2013 (invited). Academic SIG Partnership Pre-conference, CPTSC 2013. Research Priorities panel member.
    • Savannah, Georgia. September 2013 (invited). The Center for Information-Development Management. Building a Staff Model for the Future panel member.
    • Monterey, California. September 2012. The Center for Information-Development Management. Two presentations: Consuming Competitive Research and Business Intelligence for a Content Organization.
    • Orlando, Florida. November 2009. ProjectWorld & World Congress for Business Analysts. Developed and facilitated full-day workshop on Program Management at Microsoft.