Rebecca Simons

Summary

My career has been dedicated to driving innovation and pioneering digital transformation, most notably as CEO of CuePlay Inc within the hobby sports sector. Leading the development of a revolutionary "pay-to-play" mobile app, my team and I tackled key industry challenges like player engagement and underutilized venue space, leveraging expertise in CRM and manufacturing process improvement to deliver a seamless, touch-less solution. This drive to build and solve complex problems is deeply personal. Having faced the profound challenge of losing everything in an apartment fire and needing to rebuild my life from scratch, I bring an ingrained resilience and adaptability to every endeavor. This period wasn't just about personal rebuilding; it offered sharp, firsthand insights into critical technology and accessibility gaps faced by many. During this time, I directly navigated the real-world challenges of inconsistent internet access and encountered significant compatibility hurdles trying to use essential digital services on devices distributed via federal programs like Lifeline. These experiences starkly highlighted the digital divide that initiatives like the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program aim to bridge.  Furthermore, I observed critical user experience friction points within vital local services, such as the technology underpinning Kansas City's RideKC transit system, revealing barriers to seamless integration in daily life. These combined experiences inform my independent consulting work, where I partner with Fortune 100/500 companies on project and product management (Agile), IT strategy, and technological advancement. My ITIL and PMP certifications underscore a commitment to excellence and delivering results, honed through professional success, navigating significant personal adversity, and gaining a ground-level understanding of technology's real-world impact on accessibility and user experience .