Song W.

Since 2020, I have led the strategic direction of AFL's procurement and contracts department, supporting a rapidly expanding portfolio of regional and national telecommunications projects. Moving beyond traditional contract administration, I act as a strategic partner to the business—aligning complex legal frameworks with field realities to protect corporate margins, mitigate severe operational risks, and foster sustainable vendor relationships. Key Strategic Contributions & Impact: High-Stakes Dispute Resolution & Margin Protection: Successfully navigated and resolved complex, multi-layered subcontractor invoicing and scope-of-work disputes. By acting as the bridge between on-site realities and contractual obligations, I consistently recovered lost revenue and protected project profitability. Cost Recovery & Contract Enforcement: Saved the company hundreds of thousands of dollars on major infrastructure builds by accurately interpreting and firmly enforcing subcontractor agreement terms. I ensured strict accountability and cost efficiency without fracturing critical, long-term vendor partnerships. Advanced Risk Mitigation & Compliance: Shielded the business from significant legal, financial, and safety liabilities by systematically restructuring Prime Contractor designations and ensuring bulletproof WCB (Workers' Compensation Board) compliance across all field operations. Strategic Project Transitions: Managed highly sensitive project and vendor terminations with precision. By applying a flexible but legally robust approach, I minimized business disruption, completely mitigated legal exposure, and facilitated seamless operational transitions. Portfolio & Relationship Optimization: Transformed the procurement function to directly support AFL's growth targets, continually optimizing customer contract development and elevating the standard of performance across our national vendor supply base.

Directed all operational sourcing, procurement, and vendor contract management across Seaspan’s Vancouver and Victoria shipyards. Serving as the commercial backbone for operations supporting national shipbuilding initiatives, I led a high-performing team of advanced sourcing specialists to architect vendor ecosystems that prioritized deep collaboration, operational velocity, and massive scale efficiency. Key Strategic Contributions & Impact: Landmark Cost Transformation ($50M): Engineered and executed a comprehensive MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) distribution agreement. By removing supply chain friction and optimizing the procurement framework, this strategic initiative realized $50 million in hard cost reductions over a three-year period. High-Volume Commodity Negotiation: Successfully negotiated and secured high-stakes marine fuel contracts. Navigating volatile market conditions, I established pricing structures and supplier relationships that significantly bolstered Seaspan’s financial performance and marine service capabilities. Innovative Vendor Collaboration: Transformed complex scaffolding and facility management services across all business units. Rather than relying on traditional, combative negotiation, I utilized collaborative vendor innovation to restructure agreements, securing several million dollars in additional operational savings. Strategic Team Leadership: Mentored and managed a specialized team of advanced sourcing professionals, instilling a culture of rigorous contract enforcement balanced with sustainable, long-term vendor partnership strategies.

Serving as the sole Contract Manager for Huawei’s inaugural flagship venture into the Canadian telecom market, I directed the commercial execution of a pivotal $300 million network transformation project for Rogers Communications. This high-stakes, national cellphone tower equipment swap initiative required navigating complex cross-cultural business dynamics and unprecedented operational uncertainties, establishing the foundation for future telecom infrastructure projects in Canada. Key Strategic Contributions & Impact: Pioneering Market Entry ($300M): Architected and managed the contract framework for Huawei's largest Canadian telecom project at the time, successfully facilitating a $300 million network infrastructure overhaul for Rogers. Cross-Cultural Bridge & Friction Removal: Acted as the crucial translator between international corporate mandates and local Canadian telecommunications standards. By deeply understanding both perspectives, I naturally dissolved cultural and operational friction, aligning all parties toward shared project success. Complex Subcontractor Ecosystems: Built and managed a massive subcontractor network from the ground up to execute the nationwide tower equipment swap. I developed robust risk-sharing models that equitably allocated operational uncertainties and protected project margins from day one. Financial Integrity & Cost Allocation: Navigated immense financial ambiguity inherent in a first-of-its-kind project by implementing strict expense tracking and cost allocation protocols. I ensured the project adhered to stringent financial and performance standards despite its unprecedented scale.

Serving as a strategic change agent within a highly complex Crown Corporation environment, I directed the management of BC Hydro's MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) and Fleet categories. Navigating the inherent challenges and intense scrutiny of public sector spending, I focused on building consensus across diverse stakeholder groups. By introducing advanced private-sector category management principles, I helped transform rigid public procurement processes into a collaborative, strategic function that delivered massive, long-term value to both the utility and British Columbia taxpayers. Key Strategic Contributions & Impact: 10-Year Fleet & Maintenance Strategy: Architected and supported a comprehensive, decade-long fleet acquisition and maintenance strategy. By optimizing total lifecycle costs rather than focusing solely on initial purchase price, I secured substantial financial savings for the corporation and the tax base. Public Sector Consensus Building: Successfully navigated entrenched, differing internal opinions on government spending. Applying a frictionless, collaborative approach, I aligned cross-functional business unit owners around unified, cost-effective strategic objectives without generating institutional resistance. Procurement Transformation & Education: Elevated BC Hydro’s foundational procurement maturity. I actively mentored the procurement team, demonstrating the immense strategic power of true Category Management and establishing a robust framework for high-performance public sector sourcing. Strategic Stakeholder Alignment: Shifted the dynamic between suppliers, internal business units, and executive leadership from transactional to strategic, ensuring that all MRO expenditures directly supported the utility's broader operational and civic mandates.

Directed global supply chain transformation and major contract management for a premier Israeli-American security software and hardware provider serving the US Government and international airports. Acting as the commercial and operational hub across multiple departments and executive levels, I navigated extreme global market volatility to protect corporate margins, ensure continuous production, and execute high-stakes government contracts. Key Strategic Contributions & Impact: Global Crisis Management & Supply Chain Rescue: Successfully navigated the catastrophic global hard drive shortage caused by the Thailand floods. By rapidly adapting our sourcing strategy and securing critical inventory, I ensured zero disruption to highly sensitive government and aviation security projects, saving the company from massive operational failure and financial loss. Strategic Asian Sourcing & Cost Transformation: Architected a resilient, highly cost-effective vendor ecosystem by identifying, vetting, and introducing top-tier suppliers from Asia. This strategic shift removed supply chain bottlenecks and delivered immense cost savings without compromising the strict security and quality standards required by our global clients. High-Stakes Government Contract Negotiation: Accountable for the end-to-end purchasing and negotiation of complex goods and services for major international and US government contracts. By applying a collaborative, friction-reducing approach, I secured highly favorable terms that protected corporate margins while maintaining stringent compliance and operational velocity. Cross-Functional Leadership: Bridged the gap between technical, operational, and executive departments. I fostered a culture of transparency and proactive risk management, ensuring the entire global supply chain aligned seamlessly with Verint’s overarching security and growth objectives.

Operating as the de facto procurement head directly under the COO and ownership, I led the global purchasing and supply chain strategy in a hyper-competitive, highly demanding entrepreneurial environment. Acting as the commercial and strategic anchor for the business, I successfully navigated intense executive expectations, absorbing operational pressure and translating it into streamlined, high-yield procurement functions. Key Strategic Contributions & Impact: International Expansion & Operations (Shenzhen): Spearheaded the company’s global footprint by establishing and directing a strategic satellite office in Shenzhen, China. I built the regional infrastructure from the ground up to handle high-volume Asian sourcing, complex vendor management, and localized sales, creating a highly profitable, direct pipeline to manufacturing hubs. Executive Advisory & Margin Expansion: Served as the primary strategic advisor to highly demanding, profit-focused ownership. By applying a resilient, frictionless approach to aggressive vendor negotiations, I consistently delivered the massive cost reductions and margin expansions required by the business without burning critical supplier relationships. Cross-Functional Transformation: Transformed the purchasing function from a tactical, administrative department into an integral driver of overarching operational objectives. I led a cross-functional team to completely overhaul budget management, establish robust procurement policies, and continuously execute major operational improvements. High-Velocity Resilience: Successfully operated at the highest level within an exceptionally high-pressure corporate culture that demanded relentless execution. I maintained a grounded, strategic focus, proving that calm, data-driven contract management and category leadership can thrive under the most intense executive scrutiny.

Operating out of a fully French-speaking corporate environment, I directed international vendor management and strategic sourcing initiatives for this premier global electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider. Leveraging my degree from a French university and full professional fluency in French, Mandarin, and English, I acted as the critical commercial bridge between European operations, high-stakes government clients, and key manufacturing vendors across China. Key Strategic Contributions & Impact: Trilingual Global Sourcing: Orchestrated complex supply chain operations across continents. By seamlessly navigating three distinct business cultures and languages, I dissolved communication barriers and built high-trust, frictionless relationships with critical Chinese suppliers. Government Contract Strategy: Developed and executed rigorous strategic sourcing frameworks designed specifically to support major, highly regulated government contracts. I ensured that all international procurement activities met strict compliance, security, and quality standards. Supply Chain Optimization: Proactively audited international purchasing lifecycles to identify and implement targeted supply chain process improvements. By removing early-stage friction from the sourcing process, I accelerated procurement cycles and reduced operational costs. Cross-Cultural Adaptability: Proved early career resilience and adaptability by thriving in a demanding, entirely French-speaking technical environment while managing high-volume Asian manufacturing output, embodying a truly borderless approach to contract and vendor management.

Selected by this French B2B corporate supply giant to lead a strategic expatriate assignment in Hong Kong. Acting as the vanguard for regional market development, I bridged the gap between established European supply chain concepts and the dynamic realities of the Asian market. By deeply analyzing local ecosystems and advising executive leadership, I laid the data-driven foundation for highly profitable international expansion. Key Strategic Contributions & Impact: Cross-Continental Market Expansion: Successfully identified and unlocked new business opportunities by adapting and integrating established European marketing and supply chain frameworks into the highly competitive Hong Kong/Asian market. Executive Advisory & Deep Listening: Conducted extensive, ground-level market analysis and direct interviews with regional business owners. I translated these complex local insights into sound, actionable business strategies, enabling confident decision-making by the European C-suite. Commercial & Cultural Agility: Relocated from France to Hong Kong to serve as the critical intelligence link for the company. I utilized my trilingual capabilities and cultural fluency to navigate foreign business landscapes smoothly and effectively. Supply Chain & Market Synergy: Acted as the crucial bridge between sales, marketing, and procurement functions, ensuring that market development strategies were fully supported by robust, scalable supply chain operations

While completing my MBA, I served a dual role as a supply chain consultant and a core university leader, ultimately acting as an international economic liaison for the island of Corsica. Driven by a passion for cross-cultural connection, I architected profitable commercial bridges between local French municipalities and Chinese business ecosystems, transforming academic theory into tangible civic prosperity. Key Strategic Contributions & Impact: International Economic Diplomacy: Pioneered and facilitated lucrative trade relationships between Chinese enterprises and Corsican municipalities, including Ajaccio and various rural villages. I successfully drove localized economic growth and fostered sustainable, cross-border partnerships. Municipal Advisory & Civic Networking: Acted as a trusted strategic consultant to high-level civic leaders, including mayoral offices. I utilized a diplomatic, culturally fluid approach to align government economic development goals with private-sector international trade realities. Cross-Cultural Market Integration: Navigated the complex cultural and commercial nuances between traditional European island communities and rapid-growth Asian markets. By acting as the translator of both language and business intent, I seamlessly removed friction from international supply chain initiatives. Community & Operational Leadership: Served as Secretary General for the Students' Association while simultaneously driving international marketing and supply chain consulting for Aolantai Electro-mechanical Ltd. This dual mandate demonstrated my capacity to balance intense academic rigor with high-level civic leadership and commercial execution.

Economics and Management Science International Business Administration