Director of Organizational Planning & Performance
Washington’s Lottery
Shar Hawley spearheaded the transition of the Washington’s Lottery mobile loyalty program and application while leading the agency through a comprehensive strategic planning initiative. These endeavors are evidence of Shar’s ability to navigate complex challenges and lead others through growth and innovation, making her a model candidate for the 2024 Powers Award.
Technology and customer expectations rapidly evolve, and the Lottery system faces modernization and other challenge to remain competitive and efficient. Shar saw an opportunity to meet customer expectations when the Lottery’s app contract expired, and she initiated a bold project to transition the mobile application to a new vendor with the ability to overhaul the app. This project was a complete transformation of the application and focused on user experience, accessibility, and integration of advanced features for enhanced customer engagement.
Shar collaborated with technology partners and internal teams to ensure the app’s features were cutting-edge and user-friendly, while working extended hours and even some overnight shifts when go-live was implemented. She did all of this while also leading strategic planning workshops and a three-day in-person retreat that engaged all levels of the organization to develop a unified vision for the future. The results were remarkable. She was instrumental in both endeavors and successfully maintained her day-to-day obligations, producing quality work across the board.
The updated Lottery app is now more dynamic and user-friendly than the previous version, and she has assisted in developing plans to extend the app’s functionality in the future. Equally, the strategic planning efforts have enhanced the agency’s agility and will allow the Lottery to quickly adapt to changes in the market and regulatory environment. Both efforts align with the agency’s values of innovation, creativity, collaboration, and customer focus.
This journey has been a testament to Shar Hawley’s leadership, strategic acumen, and dedication to innovation. She has demonstrated drive, commitment, and integrity through her work. It has not only elevated the organization but has contributed to her personal growth as a leader. She has expanded her expertise in technology-driven product development and strategic organizational management, setting a new benchmark for excellence within the agency.