Milena Lodestein Riel
About Milena Lodestein Riel
Milena Lodestein Riel serves as the Director of Operations at Western Shelter, where she has worked since 2017. She has a strong background in operations management and expertise in culture change and mentoring.
Current Role at Western Shelter
Milena Lodestein Riel serves as the Director of Operations at Western Shelter, a position she has held since 2017. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing operational processes and ensuring efficient management within the organization. Her tenure at Western Shelter has spanned over seven years, during which she has contributed to the organization's operational strategies and performance improvements.
Previous Experience in Operations Management
Prior to her current role, Milena worked at several organizations in various capacities. She served as Plant Manager at States Industries from 2015 to 2017 and as Value Stream Manager at the same company from 2012 to 2015. Additionally, she held the position of Director of Operations at Spar•tek Industries for six months in 2017. Her experience encompasses a strong focus on operations management and organizational development.
Educational Background
Milena Lodestein Riel has a diverse educational background. She studied Civil Engineering at NHTI - Concord's Community College, earning an Associate degree from 2008 to 2011. She also holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Design from Forestry University in Sofia, Bulgaria, completed between 2002 and 2006. Furthermore, she pursued a Master’s degree at Villanova University in 2013 and attended The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, where she obtained a Lean Manufacturing Certificate.
Expertise in Culture Change and Mentoring
Milena possesses expertise in culture change and mentoring individuals within organizations. Her focus on developing people and fostering a positive organizational culture has been a significant aspect of her career. This expertise complements her strong background in operations management, enabling her to drive performance improvements and enhance organizational effectiveness.
Early Career and Structural Design
Milena began her career as a Structural Designer, working at Rist-frost-shumway Engineering from 2010 to 2011 and at Procon, Inc. for eight months in 2012. She also worked as an Engineered Wood Products Lead Designer and Sales Representative at Coastal Forest Products from 2007 to 2010. This early experience in structural design laid the foundation for her later roles in operations management.