COLIN DONALDSON
Lausanne
Summary
Strategic leader with 15+ years' experience partnering at executive level to drive strategy, transformation and organisational alignment. Proven ability to translate CEO priorities into execution, lead cross-functional initiatives and support board-level decision-making in complex environments. Combines hands-on operational leadership with consulting-style strategic thinking.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
DIRECTOR (Secretary General)
GBEU
Lausanne, VD
01.2009 - 01.2025
- Served as chief executive of a national organisation (11 staff + 100+ volunteers), reporting to the Board and responsible for strategy, operations, finance and organisational development.
- Partnered with the Board to define long-term strategy and organisational priorities.
- Translated strategic objectives into operational plans and measurable initiatives.
- Prepared board-level reporting, decision papers and strategic updates.
- Acted as central coordination point across functions, ensuring alignment and execution.
- Led organisation-wide transformation initiatives, improving financial visibility, governance and operational coordination.
- Directed Horizon25, a multi-year strategic investment project (~CHF 800k+), covering financing, stakeholder alignment and infrastructure delivery.
- Designed and implemented financial and operational frameworks to support long-term sustainability.
- Introduced improved planning, reporting and performance tracking tools.
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
Geneva
01.1996 - 01.2005
- Worked in a consulting environment delivering structured analysis and recommendations to senior stakeholders in complex transformation contexts.
- Conducted process analysis and optimisation across finance and operations.
- Contributed to internal control and risk assessment frameworks.
- Participated in ERP-related projects (SAP implementations).
- Delivered structured analysis and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
- Conducted process reviews, risk assessments and documentation mapping.
CHIEF OF STAFF
Bordier & Cie
Geneva
01.1998 - 01.1999
- Supported senior leadership in portfolio oversight, performance analysis and risk control.
- Conducted mandate-monitoring reviews of client portfolios.
- Performed performance benchmarking of managers.
- Contributed to risk control activities and compliance verification.
- Assisted in investment-fund analysis and product evaluation.
PROJECT MANAGER (RELOCATION & PROCESS STRUCTURING)
Airports Council International (ACI)
Geneva
01.2009
- Led organisational process mapping initiative.
- Coordinated development of new business plan.
- Managed financial and operational aspects of headquarters relocation.
Education
Master of Divinity -
Ridley college
Melbourne01-2006
Bachelor of Science - Applicable Mathematics with Business and Languages
Caledonian University
Glasgow01-1996
Skills
- Advanced Excel
- Financial modelling
- Dashboards
- Analysis
- ERP Systems
- SAP ECC6
- S/4HANA
- Peoplesoft
- Oracle Fusion
- Productivity systems
- Microsoft O365
- Power automate
- Power apps
- Project management tools
- MS Project
- Jira
Custom Section
- Swiss
- British
Languages
English
First Language
French
Proficient
C2
German
Upper Intermediate
B2
Timeline
DIRECTOR (Secretary General)
GBEU
01.2009 - 01.2025
PROJECT MANAGER (RELOCATION & PROCESS STRUCTURING)
Airports Council International (ACI)
01.2009
CHIEF OF STAFF
Bordier & Cie
01.1998 - 01.1999
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
01.1996 - 01.2005
Master of Divinity -
Ridley college
Bachelor of Science - Applicable Mathematics with Business and Languages
Caledonian University