Alexandra Suchman

We create tools for people who run rooms to be playmakers. Barometer XP is a game design and culture company. We build physical and digital tools that help leaders, facilitators, coaches, and teams bring play into the rooms they run -- because play isn't a perk. It's one of the most underused performance strategies in the modern workplace. Our tools: 🃏 HIVE Deck -- Structured reflection for entrepreneurs. Surfaces blind spots, sharpens strategy, creates forward momentum. Includes a 45-minute live orientation. 🎲 Mechanics & Dynamics Deck -- The science of games in your hands. 50 mechanics + 40 dynamics, each with facilitation questions and Pressure Matrix connections. 🗂 Pressure Deck -- Inspired by our proprietary Pressure Matrix. A card-based tool for teams to measure and navigate culture. 🎮 Custom Builds -- From a single live-run game to a fully custom, boxed game experience built for your company. Your tool. Your brand. Your culture. Play works. We've got the science to prove it. What play actually does to the brain: -> Faster problem-solving: Play activates the prefrontal cortex, the brain's problem-solving center -> Stronger innovation: Play increases divergent thinking, the core skill behind generating new ideas -> Lower burnout risk: Play measurably lowers cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone -> Faster team trust: Playing together syncs brain activity between people, building rapport fast -> Higher retention: Chronic play deprivation is linked to poor stress regulation and burnout -> Better change-readiness: Play trains the brain to handle the unexpected -> Higher engagement: Play activates dopamine reward pathways tied to motivation

Leadership development; management coaching; curriculum development; training and facilitation

I help small and growing companies overcome management, organizational, and operational challenges, growing pains and gaps. I work in close partnership with my clients to identify the specific problem spots and develop practical and sustainable processes and solutions that fit the specific needs and culture of that organization. I can help you make the tedious parts of your job simpler and more efficient.

Operations Management. Oversaw all operational logistics including administration, contract management, IT services, accounting, and business development for small government contractor. Developed operational infrastructure and corporate practices for company during growth from 15 to 50 employees, including new operations processes and resources. Provided continuous process improvement to facilitate growth and ensure efficiency and quality of all company operations. Oversaw editing, formatting, and production of all deliverables and proposal. Provided proposal management, budgeting, and project management training to other personnel. Managed operations and production staff. Proposal Manager. Managed all components of IDIQ, Task Order, and Sources Sought responses. Managed business development team. Developed proposal development schedule; managed communications with proposal team members, subcontractors, and consultants; wrote technical proposal materials; developed budgets and business proposals; ensured all proposal delivery and formatting requirements were met; oversaw proposal quality assurance. Ensured all components were completed on schedule and in compliance with requirements laid out in solicitation.

Project Manager. Responsible for management and quality of all aspects of project, including schedules, budgets and resources, deliverables, communications with clients, communications with subcontractors and consultants, and project staff. Experienced in managing projects of all sizes and varying complexity. Provided expertise to clients in study design, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, program evaluation, and assessment of policy impacts. Designed interview protocols and conducted in-depth interviews with various populations. Implemented mixed-methods data collection protocols for research studies, program evaluations, and impact analyses. Conducted data analysis. Provided written reports, issue briefs, and executive summaries of results for clients. Proficient in use of NVivo.

Research Associate, Center for Excellence in Public Leadership. Managed two public leadership development programs, assisted in teaching policy analysis, and provided academic and analytic support for numerous center programs. Program Management. Managed both the District of Columbia’s and the Washington Metropolitan Region’s Certified Public Manager (CPM) Programs, a yearlong leadership development course for emerging leaders in local government. Responsibilities included coordinating faculty schedules, monitoring and updating curriculum, serving as primary contact for students and staff. Managed relationships with the District’s Department of Human Resources and Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, respective partners in administration of the CPM programs. Planned all program training sessions and special events. Policy Analysis Instruction. Assistant- taught Research Methods and Policy Analysis course for CPM programs. Program Evaluation. Coordinated and conducted comprehensive program evaluations for both CPM programs’ 5-year re-accreditation. Assessed program effectiveness, identified weaknesses and developed improvements, including curriculum changes. Coordinated site visit with chair of re-accreditation committee.

Policy Analyst. National Association of State Medicaid Directors (NASMD) and its affiliate, the Center for Workers with Disabilities. Technical Assistance Provider. Provided technical assistance to state Medicaid Infrastructure Grantees and Medicaid programs. Facilitated member conferences, coordinated member surveys, and provided research support upon member request. Policy Analysis. Tracked and analyzed federal and state legislation and regulations on health, disability employment, and long-term care issues. Led research, policy, and outreach initiatives, including two multi-state task forces, one on transition issues for youth with disabilities, and one on coordinating with small businesses to improve employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Facilitated NASMD’s Eligibility Technical Advisory Group. Monitored implementation and effects of rollout of the Medicare Modernization Act Part D Prescription Drug Program on state Medicaid programs. Monitored state human services agencies’ responses to Hurricane Katrina refugees and relief provision. Product Development and Production. Served as editor, writer, and developer of weekly e-newsletter on major health policy events (This Week in Health) and monthly newsletter on disability policy (Working for Tomorrow: The Newsletter of the Center for Workers with Disabilities).