ROGER KUCH
People & Programs Manager
Strategic Operations
Customer Engagement
Experience Design
Fixing what's failing...
Strengthening what's succeeding...
Transforming good into exceptional

ABOUT
I improve organizations by aligning systems, people, and goals.
I thrive in messy or complex environments, creating the structure that helps teams succeed. I’ve done it for NASA, tech startups, creative firms, and guest-focused venues—always bringing clarity, empathy, and results.
I translate strategic vision into clear systems, frameworks, and team structures.
My work turns fragmentation into flow, and equips organizations to grow with purpose and precision.
Over the course of my career—spanning aerospace, tech startups, hospitality, and experience design—I’ve led initiatives ranging from coordinating 200+ international stakeholders on a $5.2B flagship NASA mission to managing multimillion-dollar brand activations and refining workflows to unlock cross-functional collaboration.
I bring systems thinking and emotional intelligence to every engagement, bridging the gap between clarity and complexity, people and process, culture and results.
My work lives at the intersection of:
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Team empowerment and operational clarity
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Strategic alignment and human-centered systems
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Scalable infrastructure and purpose-driven culture
I've been trusted to:
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Dismantle bottlenecks and implement systems that scale
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Align cross-functional teams around shared outcomes
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Navigate growth, change, and ambiguity with steadiness and strategy
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Cultivate environments where people feel empowered to perform and proud to belong
If you're seeking a partner to bring vision into motion, I’d welcome the opportunity to connect.
Let’s create something meaningful, effective, and built to last.
REVIEWS
"Whether leading special projects, community and customer events, or employee engagement programs, Roger could be counted on time and again to deliver with excellence. He's a consultative thought partner who seeks to improve processes and systems and drive win-win outcomes. He can juggle multiple initiatives, build relationships, instill confidence with key stakeholders, and successfully lead initiatives from ideation through execution. In addition, Roger demonstrated thoughtful introspection and proactivity to improve learning and development on the team. I'd recommend Roger without hesitation." (Michele B. Weber, former manager)
"Roger's approach to any process is something we should strive to achieve. He fundamentally breaks down tasks, asks the right questions and then customizes it for that perfect fit. He challenges the vague ideas and swiftly executes the great ones. Whoever is lucky enough to hire Roger is getting a fantastic collaborator!" (Crawford Niemi, former colleague)

"Roger is a blessing for any good leader looking to be great. He's an analytical thinker who can spin a challenge around to see it from all angles. He's incredibly respectful but understands that respect is not the same as blind obedience. This means he analyzes strategies and decisions, asks questions about what he doesn't understand or what doesn't make sense, and calls your attention to gaps in your thinking. Having him on my team made me a better leader, and any organization would be lucky to have him." (Debra Senra, former manager)
"Roger drives the business and his projects forward. What I valued about working with him was how well he connected with clients and colleagues; he made change management for our clients personal and supported them through their transition on platform. He challenges the status quo in a healthy and productive way which allows projects to accelerate completion or drive solutions to perceived issues." (Danielle Zakowski, former manager)
EDUCATION




PORTFOLIO
Below is a sampling of my experiences. Click the company icons for more details.
Slasher: One who thrives in multiple professions, often denoted with slashes between titles (Project Manager / Event Producer / Operational Strategist / Client Manager). Slashers thrive in dynamic environments, leveraging diverse skills across industries and disciplines rather than following a linear career path. This adaptability allows them to solve complex problems, drive innovation, and create unique value for companies. Slashers bring incredible value, turning complexity into clarity, leading across functions, connecting dots others don’t see, driving transformation where others stagnate, and creating tangible impact across disciplines.
Freehold is a comprehensive marketing, design, and production agency. I've led cross-functional teams, with a strong focus on strategic execution and operational excellence, to deliver transformative retail and brand activation experiences. My expertise spans project leadership, logistics oversight, budget management, and stakeholder collaboration, ensuring seamless execution and high-impact results.
I served on the leadership team of JPL’s $5.2B Europa Clipper mission, a flagship NASA project aimed at exploring Jupiter’s moon Europa and evaluating its potential to support life. The project brought together a vast network of scientists, engineers, and mission planners to conduct groundbreaking research on Europa’s subsurface ocean, ice shell, and geophysical activity.
AppNexus was an industry-leading AdTech company, purchased by AT&T and later Microsoft. I drove high-volume event production and strategic programming, leading initiatives that foster engagement, knowledge-sharing, and community impact. With a focus on seamless execution, technical oversight, and partnership development, I created dynamic experiences that amplified brand presence and supported diverse audiences.
NAMCO is a premier entertainment production company based in NYC. During a period of rapid growth, I supported the CEO, EP, and GM across 5 simultaneous Broadway musicals and 2 national tours. The role demanded high-level coordination between executive, creative, and operational
teams—ensuring continuity, communication, and logistical precision.
Our collective efforts culminated in 3 Tony Awards in June 2010.
BRANDS / COMPANIES / PARTNERS
Nike • Jordan • Shoe Palace • Gap
NASA • JPL • Johns Hopkins • Caltech • Cornell • UCLA • UCSD
Microsoft • WPP • AT&T • Amazon • Adobe • Conde Nast • NYC (Mayor Bill de Blasio)
Girls Who Code • Ellevate Network • Young Jewish Professionals • She's The First
ABC • FOX • Netflix • Nederlander • Disney • Shubert • ATG
Nev Shulman • Jeffrey Tambor • Kelsey Grammer • Antonio Banderas • Lena Dunham