EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Louella Bagger

Dubai, UAE +971-**-***-**** American/Spouse Visa (Emirati) *****@*******.*** LinkedIn

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

An experienced senior manager with a demonstrated history of working in the international trade and development industry. Skilled in negotiation, business planning, customer service, strategic planning, procurement, logistics, correspondence, and business process improvement. Reliable professional with a bachelor’s in business administration with an emphasis in HR from Kaplan University (USA). Excellent communication skills with a “can-do” attitude, multicultural knowledge, and experience to help teams excel in a fast-paced environment. Experienced in supporting multiple simultaneous demands for multiple departments and working in a multi-billion-dollar environment (US Government).

•18+ years of experience in the UAE working within the GCC in a multinational environment

•16+ years of experience in a managerial/leadership capacity, managing up to 300 people

•14+ years of experience in construction, logistics, and the supply industry

•10+ years in Office Manager/EA/PA positions to CEO’s, Board members and managing directors in an international capacity

•Eight years working with C-level executives and advising on high-level business process decisions, and being a gatekeeper

KEY STRENGTHS

•Arranging travel (flights, hotels, rental cars, and event bookings), processing and requesting international visa visas, logistics, importing/exporting freight (AIR and SEA)

•Creating performance metrics (KRA and KPI writing) including project and program management

•Mentoring and training teams to encourage and advise proper succession planning

•Excellent emotional intelligence for both clients and employees, including cultural awareness

•Results-orientated with the ability to multi-task towards a variety of projects or programs

•Social Media and Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

•Reliable time-management skills with the ability to meet critical deadlines

•Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and problem-solving skills

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Microsoft

Office, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel (Macros and Pivot tables – basic)

ERP

Oracle, Taleo, Expensify, QuickBooks

Compliance

AML

CRM

Salesforce, KYC (Know Your Client)

Learning Platforms

Axonify and e-learning

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

Family Office (confidential)- Abu Dhabi, UAE November 2020 – September 2021

(Confidential) Family Office a multi asset family business with real estate, restaurant, retail, and business consultancy. The Owner/ Chairman is a local UHNWI with a wide range of business interests and investments.

Senior Executive and Managing Director -

Work with the Chairman and Board of directors to formulate the overall business strategy of the organization

Wrote Keynote Speeches for Chairman

Manage and Develop Executive Team

Oversee Operational Efficiency of Company

Maintain Healthy Relationship with Chairperson and Board Members

Oversee the policies for the HR and administrative departments

Oversee the finance, budget of the companies

Implementing new systems, internal and external correspondence, cost cutting as well as company policies

Over 40 Direct reports from various companies, including but not limited to Brand Manager, Food and Beverage Manager, Civil Engineer, Finance Manager and HR/ Admin Manager

Frontera Capital Group Limited - Abu Dhabi, UAE August 2018 – March 2020 (covid redundancy)

Frontera Capital buys, sells and structures emerging and frontier market fixed income and money market investments, specializing in frontier markets. Frontier markets are early stage emerging markets and are mostly characterized by rapid, but volatile GDP growth with significant and increasing funding needs. Frontera Capital provides long-term funding in local currency and FX hedging products to both lenders and borrowers.

Head Office Manager - Back Office

Supporting the Senior Management Team (SMT) comprised of the CEO, COO, Head of Research and General Counsel and CFO

Leading the office administration to support the FCGL Team with engaging clients, investors, and 20+ third-party vendors

Supervising the replenishment of supplies, inventory, office cleanliness and document organization for the office

Arranged Board Meetings both annual and quarterly, onsite, and off site

Responsible for the personal assistant duties for four directors including managing calendars, travel arrangements (flights, hotels, visa processing, and event bookings) and advising for personal needs (i.e., medical, school)

Overseeing the back-office compliance (AML Compliance for Regulatory finance, KYC, CTO, opening accounts and working with the Compliance Officer); providing the on-boarding and training of team members for AML Compliance via eLearning, Skype sessions and one-on-one training

Supporting the SMT and other colleagues with the onboarding process for investors and shareholders

Performing the function of the controller in the execution of transactions by reviewing and confirming documentation (e.g., operational, financial, and corporate) as required by investment procedures

Liaison with foreign embassies for fulfilling legal requirements of documentation certification; confirmation of appropriate documentation required to be able to disburse funds and processing travel visas for employees

Responsible for the HR and administrative personnel files for onboarding, off-boarding, visa processing, medical insurance, and training files

Oversee the finance, payables, and receivables (AP/AR), QuickBooks, Expensify accounts, payroll, petty cash, and American Express/ITA

Managing the payables process from receipt of invoice, booking of the transaction in the accounting software and registering the payment within the online banking system

Responsible for coordinating a globally positioned teams schedules, correspondence, and travel, including team meeting across time zones 4 Senior Executive and Principle, 6 consultants

Media Package - Dubai, UAE May 2015 - December 2017

A Kuwaiti holding company involved in launching and performing online marketing.

Office Manager – Personal Assistant

Responsible for the initial company start-up in Abu Dhabi (operating budget of $3M), often meeting with VP, CEO, and senior management for presentations, and providing travel arrangements throughout the GCC

Supported the CEO and country manager on the development and execution of client relationship plans by identifying key business opportunities through proactive research, financial information, and regular dialogue with clients, reporting to stakeholders and senior executives

Oversaw nine subcontractors within the IT and Finance departments

Formulated and implemented departmental and organizational policies and procedures to maximize output.

Responsible for the human resources aspect for 14 employees (6 UAE-based and 8 international employees).

Organized recruitment and the placement of required staff; established organizational structures.

Supervised a team of 14 people and trained, mentored, monitored, and evaluated performance.

Managed the supplies, inventory, and vendor negotiations

Personal Assistant (PA) for the managing director to include arranging meetings, planning events, calendar management, correspondence, and note-taking

Managed and trained a team of 18 12 Business Development, 2 IT Department, and 4 junior office staff

CBC Construction - Dubai, UAE March 2010 - April 2015

A start-up construction company that specialized in fit outs.

Office Manager and Personal Assistant to CEO and MD

Wore multiple hats to ensure Business Development, HR, Administrative and Recruitment duties were completed; streamlined the supplies, inventory management and vendor negotiations for 15+ vendors

Acted as a personal assistant for the managing director

Liaised with government offices

Procured and coordinated with nine local vendors for supply and logistics for projects of 1.75M AED

Provided HR, administrative and clerical support to departments and individuals

Prepared statistical management reports, confidential and sensitive documents, and managed market spreadsheets

Ambassadorship and entrepreneurship: identified, mobilized, and delivered into the relationship the right people, solutions, resources, and ideas for the company

Commercial Management and quality control undertook contract negotiations, ensured financial success, and monitored quality

Oversaw 4 supporting office Staff

Relocation and Continued Education September 2008 - March 2010

Relocated to the UAE from the US with Emirati husband and continued education.

United States of America Government - United States Navy November 1996 - August 2008

Worked for the US Government in an all-inclusive supply and logistics role from A-Z warehouse, inventory, shipping, stock rotation on a global scale. Conducted multiple loadouts in very high-paced stressful environments. Responsible for procurement on an international level. Ensured project completion from A-Z, operating in a multi-billion-dollar environment. Management, Supervision, and support of up to 500 personnel at one time, including US Marine Embassy Extraction team.

Personal Assistant and Supervisor to the CEO - Camp Pendleton ACU 5 2006 – 2008

Responsible for PA duties supporting the CEO of Camp Pendleton and supervising the support team in the administrative office

Ensured the following departments were supported: community relations, hazmat and safety, facilities management, EEO, the community and humanitarian and the moral and welfare department.

Reviewed and managed the passenger manifest and care

Port Liaison Officer / Petty Officer in Charge - Sicily, Italy 2003 - 2006

Head of Space - Shipping for EUCOMM

In charge of employee evaluations, career development and supporting the retention team

Provided training and performance management of multiple teams ranging from four to 100 individuals

Ensured compliance for departments, warehouses, and import activities (freights and sea shipments)

Planned and directed supplies, storage and issued materials (F&B, ammunition, hazardous materials, vehicles, and HHG to support operations

Developed plans and procedures to meet supply requirements in coordination with operational plans; collected data to evaluate and establish items of stock

Performed administrative and record-keeping functions to support the command safety organization; identified hazards, unsafe work practices, and health hazardous conditions (HSE Officer)

Managed the logistical aspects of product life cycles, including coordination or provisioning of samples, and the minimization of obsolescence

Provided project management services, including the provision and analysis of technical data, imports, exports, traffic, and cost analysis

Assisted the Safety Officer and Manager to coordinate the implementation of the Navy Safety and Occupational Health (SOH) Program and the Recreational and Off-Duty Safety (RODS) Program; conducted indoctrination and periodic SOH training

Prepared speeches and presented

Prepared various safety and mishap reports, maintains hazard abatement program documentation, and aids in mishap investigations

Executive Assistant for CEO - SERMC 2003 – 2004

Handled the responsibilities of supporting the CEO to include scheduling, calendar management, memo taking, sending messages and being a gatekeeper

Private Security - Bahrain 2001 – 2003

Responsible for the combat coxswain and the security escort deployment team

Provided personal security utilizing a quick reaction team

Mentored and trained teams and organized deployment scheduling

Boatswain Mate - USS O’Bannon 1999 - 2001

Leader for the repair locker 5 attack team, caulks and chain, and master helmsmen

Supervised material receipt into storage, maintenance of storage plan and locator system, care, and maintenance of the materials in storage, security and fire protection, custodial storage, warehousing, physical inventories, and shop store operations

Furnished technical assistance and information on storage matters

Directed team activities, established task priorities, scheduled, and tracked work assignments, provided guidance, and ensured the availability of resources

Supported the development of training materials and technical manuals

Maintained and developed positive business relationships with customers' key personnel relevant to a logistics activity

Customer Service – Warehouse - Keflavik Iceland 1997 - 2000

Responsible for customer service, warehouse and inventory, and supplies

Managed the logistics of product life cycles (PLC), including coordination or provisioning of samples, and the minimization of obsolescence

Provided project management services, including the provision and analysis of technical data

Planned, organized, and executed logistics support activities to include maintenance planning, repair analysis, and test equipment recommendations

Redesigned the movement of goods to maximize value and minimize costs utilizing the basic cost and waste analysis of current stock, excess stock and expired for civilian MWR facilities, restaurants, and clubs

ACHIEVEMENTS

Navy Achievement Medal (2) USN

Good Conduct Medal (3) USN

Navy Unit Commendation USN

Armed Forces Expeditionary USN

Various other awards and accomplishments

EDUCATION

Kaplan University - Davenport, Iowa, USA 2013

Bachelor’s in business administration

Saint Leo University - St. Leo, Florida, USA 2008

TRAINING COURSES

Harvard University - Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA 2005

Influencing and Motivating others

CCl Academy - Dubai, UAE 2019

Introduction AML (Anti-Money Laundering)

Various Business Soft Skills - Mannheim, Germany 2004

United States Customs Senior Border Agent (USCBA)

USDA – Customs importing into the USA

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Nationality: American

Marital Status: Married

Visa Status: Resident/ Husband visa

Driver’s License: UAE/USA

LANGUAGES

English Fluent - spoken and written-mother tongue

Contact this candidate