From Academia to Operations Expert: My Unconventional Journey
I never planned to become an operations specialist. With two doctoral degrees and a career in academia, I was set for a traditional path in education. Then in 2021, I took a leap that would change everything.
I joined Forte Labs as their Director of Course Operations, eventually becoming COO and helping scale an online education company that served thousands of students globally. What started as managing course delivery evolved into leading all aspects of business operations—from customer experience to team coordination to financial systems.
Walking into my role at Forte Labs, I faced a challenge that might sound familiar: brilliant product, passionate team, but backend systems held together with digital duct tape and hope.
I spent countless nights piecing together solutions, testing tools, and building systems from scratch. After nearly four years of trial and error (and yes, some tears—keeping it real here), I discovered something powerful: the right systems don't constrain creativity—they unleash it.
The businesses that thrive aren't the ones with the flashiest marketing or even the best products. They're the ones where operations run so smoothly that leaders can focus on vision instead of firefighting.
My background isn't typical for an operations expert. With a Ph.D. in Learning, Design, and Technology (Penn State University) and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (Wilmington University), I bring an educator's mindset to operational challenges. I don't just implement tools—I teach you to understand the why behind the systems so you can adapt them as your business evolves.
Here's something else not many people expect: I've achieved all of this while managing ADHD. It's exactly why I'm so passionate about creating crystal-clear, step-by-step systems. I know firsthand how easy it is to get overwhelmed and lose track of details.
Every workflow and automation I build is designed with this in mind, breaking complex processes into manageable chunks that work with your brain, not against it.
Over my 20+ year career, I've:
Served as COO for Forte Labs, managing operations for thousands of students and millions in revenue
Led institutional research and technology integration at a boutique private college
Chaired academic departments and implemented educational technology initiatives
Authored over 25 academic publications on systems, learning, and technology
Presented at international conferences on operational excellence
Consulted with entrepreneurs and organizations on systems transformation
Currently, I'm pursuing my J.D. in Intellectual Property Law from the University of New Hampshire to deepen my expertise in business systems and legal operations.
When I'm not geeking out over workflows or helping entrepreneurs streamline their operations, you might find me:
I believe that:
The best systems are the ones you'll actually use
Automation should free your time, not consume it
Organization isn't about perfection—it's about intention
Your operations should reflect your values and priorities
The right systems can transform not just your business, but your life
Ready to Transform Your Operations?
I'm on a mission to help ambitious entrepreneurs create systems that actually work—without
sacrificing their creativity, personal touch, or sanity.
Whether through my Strategy Sessions, a VIP Day, Operations Advisory services, or through an Unlimited Access partnership, I'm here to help you build a business that runs like clockwork, even when you're not watching the time.
Let's create operations that give you more freedom, not less.
"Monica is really a leader. She's been my right-hand person, pivotal in navigating tricky situations and making strategic decisions that have been crucial to our company's success. Her wisdom, perspective, and varied experience ensured excellence in everything we did, advancing our reputation and taking us to where we are today."
Tiago Forte
Founder & CEO
Forte Labs
"Monica has been hands down one of the best professionals I've ever collaborated with. She made my life in marketing so much easier by setting up automations and workflows, ensuring everything ran smoothly behind the scenes."
Julia Saxena
General Manager
Forte Labs
"Working with Monica completely transformed how I manage my lab and team. She helped us figure out our workflows, determine what needed to be centralized, and where we could allow for personalization."
Dr. Tina Lasisi
Assistant Professor
University of Michigan
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