WashU IT is proud to celebrate Sherri Woolard as the 2024 WashU IT Person of ImpacT. Woolard was among 12 distinguished awardees from within WashU IT who received nominations from more than one person. She was voted as the top award recipient during the January All Hands meeting, with nearly 340 of 510 meeting attendees casting votes. This recognition highlights her unwavering dedication to WashU IT’s strategic plan, ImpacT, through exceptional customer service, peer mentorship, and continuous pursuit of excellence.
When asked how she feels about receiving this award, Woolard expressed deep gratitude.
“I feel very honored,” Woolard said. “Sometimes you don’t realize that you’re actually making a difference until something like this comes along. You get mired in the day-to-day, so it feels great to know that.”
An Application Lead in Enterprise Systems and Solutions (ESS), Woolard leads the Work Management Platforms within the Enabling Apps team, reporting to Daniel Hammoud, Assistant Director of Applications. Her expertise spans across Atlassian, Monday.com, ClickUp, and Planview, where she not only manages these platforms but collaborates with users across the university to develop customized solutions.
Woolard’s contributions are instrumental in advancing the university’s Here and Next strategic plan. From supporting clinical researchers tracking tissue samples in JIRA, to helping the Chancellor’s Office, Provost’s Office, University Marketing and Communications, and University Advancement streamline their workflows in ClickUp, her impact is felt across WashU.
Woolard’s journey at WashU began 18 years ago, following her role as a PeopleSoft HRMS Developer at Ameren. She joined WashU in 2006, tackling a major data conversion project that consolidated thousands of duplicate HR system identities. She played a crucial role in building WashU’s first data warehouse, an experience she describes as an invaluable learning opportunity. From there, she developed custom solutions for benefits administration before transitioning into a Solutions Architect role in 2017, where she helped evaluate replacements for the university’s aging HR system. After a brief leave of absence, she returned to facilitate the system’s cutover before finding her home in Enabling Apps, where she thrives in application support and development.
For Woolard, being a Person of ImpacT means more than technical expertise—it’s about lifting others up.
“It’s not how smart you are or how great you code, but how you lift everyone on your team and everyone around you,” she said. “People who truly want to help the person on the other end of the email, Zoom call, or Teams message—that’s what makes an impact.”
Her colleagues wholeheartedly agree.
“Sherri is the glue that holds our Work Management Team together,” Cari Dorenkamp, Application Analyst II, said in one of Woolard’s nominations. “From her knowledge and expertise to her calm demeanor, she is always willing to help and never makes you feel like she’s too busy for your questions.”
Another colleague, Janet Deyarmin, Project Manager III, praised her commitment and relentless work ethic:
“Sherri consistently exceeds expectations, showcasing an unmatched commitment to excellence and innovation,” Deyarmin said. “Her leadership and relentless work ethic have not only revolutionized the work management team but have also ignited a sense of ambition among her peers.”
As Woolard envisions the next phase of her career, she said she is focused on mentorship and team empowerment.
“I’m not looking to go do that next big thing, because I’ve done it,” she said. “And so, I would really like to support members of my team to reach those levels, and I would like to see individuals at our level empowered to make decisions. This would help them feel more engaged and valued, and it’s something I’m passionate about supporting within my team.”
Woolard is especially excited about the evolution of the End-User Experience (EUX) team and the growing emphasis on relationship-building within WashU IT.
Outside of IT, Woolard enjoys spending time in her garden, working on her home, and traveling. She frequently visits her daughter in California, where she loves to hike and explore the outdoors.
WashU IT is fortunate to have a leader, mentor, and innovator like Woolard. Her commitment to excellence and passion for helping others embody what it truly means to be a Person of ImpacT.
There were 93 total ImpacT award winners for 2024. Nominations are now open and being accepted for 2025 People of ImpacT. Individuals can receive multiple nominations. Employees are encouraged to recognize their colleagues for going above and beyond in support of the WashU IT Strategic Plan, ImpacT, which directly supports the university’s Here and Next Strategic Plan.