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Meet Gladian Rivera

Two decades of operational excellence across government, healthcare, and private sectors.

Gladian Rivera, Founder and CEO of Obsidian Rising LLC

Building What Works

I'm Gladian Rivera, founder and CEO of Obsidian Rising LLC. For over two decades, I've worked at the intersection of strategy and execution — helping organizations move from "we should do this" to "here's how it actually runs."

My career has taken me through the U.S. Department of Justice, major healthcare systems, state corrections departments, and research institutions. In every environment, I've seen the same pattern: brilliant leaders with powerful visions, stuck because the operational infrastructure doesn't exist to support them.

That's what I fix. I don't just advise — I build. Policies, procedures, training programs, tracking systems, accountability structures. The tangible infrastructure that turns ideas into sustainable operations.

20+ Years Experience
$65M Contracts Evaluated
<6mo HEARTS Program Launch

Experience That Matters

U.S. Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York

Contributed to operational initiatives within the Eastern District of New York. Recipient of the EOUSA Director's Award for Superior Performance.

Healthcare

Operations & Program Development

Built and optimized operational systems for a healthcare organization, focusing on compliance documentation, staff training, and sustainable process design.

State Corrections

Institutional Program Management

Developed and implemented programs within complex institutional environments, navigating regulatory requirements while building effective operational infrastructure.

Research Institutions

Academic & Research Operations

Supported research institutions with operational frameworks, grant compliance, and program sustainability structures.

2025 - Present

Obsidian Rising LLC

Founded Obsidian Rising to bring enterprise-level operational expertise to organizations ready to transform. Specializing in program launches and process optimization.

How I Work

01

Build, Don't Just Advise

I don't hand you a report and leave. I build the actual systems, documents, and structures your organization needs to operate.

02

Sustainable Over Impressive

Flashy solutions that collapse in six months help no one. I design for long-term sustainability and team ownership.

03

Clarity Through Documentation

If it's not written down, it doesn't exist. Every engagement produces tangible documentation your team can use independently.

04

Transfer Knowledge, Not Dependency

My goal is to make myself unnecessary. I train your team to own and evolve the systems we build together.

Credentials & Awards

Harvard University

Strategy Execution for Public Leadership

Scrum Master Certified

Agile project management and team facilitation

Bilingual

English & Spanish fluency for diverse organizational environments

Federal Experience

Deep understanding of government compliance and regulatory frameworks

Cross-Sector Expertise

Successfully operated in government, healthcare, corrections, and research

Ready to Talk?

I'd love to learn about your organization's challenges and explore how we might work together.

Schedule a Conversation