CONNIE LAU
Director Operations and Projects at Worldchefs
Lives in Paris, France
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About me
Results-driven management professional with 20+ years of experience in strategic organizational planning and implementation. Recognized for driving positive impacts and creating a better world through integrity and passion.
Summary:
With a diverse background spanning operations, project management, and business development, I bring expertise across various industries, including hospitality, engineering, and non-profit organizations. My career started in engineering, managing multi-million dollar projects for nuclear power plants across Europe and Asia. I excelled in leading cross-functional teams, implementing Agile methodologies, and optimizing processes for enhanced efficiency.
Driven by personal growth, I transitioned into the culinary field, obtaining a culinary art diploma from Ferrandi Paris and gaining invaluable experience in renowned restaurants. Currently serving as the Director of Operations and Projects at WORLDCHEFS, I oversee strategic planning, day-to-day operations, and a multidisciplinary team encompassing IT, marketing, operations, events, and project management. Throughout the pandemic, I spearheaded the digital transformation of Worldchefs, expanding our online business and programs through educational webinars and virtual events and conferences.
My passion lies in developing people, fostering diversity and inclusion, and championing sustainability efforts, as I firmly believe in collaboratively building a better world. Extensive collaboration with hospitality industry professionals, such as hotel general managers, restaurant owners, executive chefs, and suppliers, has given me deep insights into industry requirements and concerns.
Beyond my professional endeavors, I have actively contributed to non-profit organizations, dedicating six years to developing young leaders at AIESEC and founding Cooking4Charity.org, where cooking classes generated proceeds for orphan support.
Let's connect and explore collaboration opportunities.
Experience
18 years and 11 months
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Director Operations and Projects
Worldchefs - Paris, France
ManagementSeptember 2016 - Now · 7 years and 1 month• Led strategic planning and day-to-day operations, doubling team size and overseeing IT, marketing, operations, events, and project management staff. • Spearheaded Worldchefs' digital transformation, expanding online business and programs through educational webinars, online events and virtual conferences. • Implemented organizational changes, applied Agile project management practices, and enhanced workflow and process efficiency. • Led teams to organize large-scale physical events such as Worldchefs' congress and expo, ensuring seamless execution and delivering outstanding experiences for participants. • Fostered strong relationships with hotel GMs, restaurant owners, executive chefs, and equipment and product suppliers. • Developed a deep understanding of hospitality industry requirements and concerns.
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Career change: Culinary studies and restaurant experience
Saline Ceviche Bar, Biarritz and L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon à Paris - Paris, France
F&B kitchenJanuary 2015 - January 2016 · 1 year and 1 month• Pursued a culinary art diploma at Ferrandi Paris, gaining valuable experience at renowned restaurants and acquiring fluency in French.
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Project Manager, Nuclear
CCI AG - Zürich, Switzerland
Project ManagementMay 2010 - December 2014 · 4 years and 8 months• Managed and delivered USD $20M+ new construction and outage projects for nuclear power plants in France, China, and Belgium. • Led a matrix team of 30 people through design, manufacture, quality assurance, delivery, and installation of mechanical and electronic equipment. • Successfully managed full project scope, including planning, budgeting, cost control, quality control, manufacturing, on-time delivery, and installation. • Reviewed contracts and managed technical changes, securing USD $4M+ in design change orders. • Led a team of 20 for on-site equipment installation during nuclear power plant outages. • Fostered relationships with key customers, including Areva, EDF, CNPEC, TNPJVC, CNPE, Tractebel, and Electrabel.
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Quality and Manufacturing Engineer
Solomon Systech Ltd - Hong Kong
IT & TechnologySeptember 2006 - September 2008 · 2 years and 1 month -
Vice President and National Executive (Non-profit Organization)
AIESEC - Hong Kong
EducationSeptember 2002 - September 2006 · 4 years and 1 month -
Research Assistant, Physics
Hong Kong Baptist University - Hong Kong
IT & TechnologyJanuary 2004 - December 2004 · 1 year
Education
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Post Crisis Hospitality Management Certificate
University of South Florida - Florida City, FL, United States
January 2020 - December 2020 -
Diploma in culinary art for French gastronomy
FERRANDI PARIS - Paris, France
January 2015 - December 2015
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Master of Philosophy - MPhil in Physics
Hong Kong Baptist University - Hong Kong
September 2004 - September 2008 -
Bachelor of Science (hons) - Applied Physics with Computer Science concentration
Hong Kong Baptist University - Hong Kong
September 2001 - September 2004
Languages
4 languages
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English
Native or fluent
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Chinese
Native or fluent
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Cantonese
Native or fluent
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French
Professional working
Personal information
Nationalities
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Hongkonger
Work Permits
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France
Skills
12 skills
- budget analysis
- Budgeting and finance
- CONTRACT
- Engineering
- Improvement and quality
- Leadership
- Management
- Operational Management
- process improvements
- Project management
- Team Building
- team managment
Additional Information
1 information shared
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