Sophia Chan-Combrink
Executive Director
Hong Kong and Toronto
Summary
Accomplished Executive Director recognized for leveraging strong team leadership and development to drive forward progress. Adept at implementing strategic business plans, driving growth and improving operations. Highly organized leader skilled in directing high-performing teams to develop solutions and solve operational and technical problems. Quick and firm decision-maker possessing first-rate communication and organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Skilled in financial management and stakeholder relations.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
8
8
Countries that I have worked in
Work History
Executive Director
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce
07.2018 - Current
- Doubled membership, from 1,100 to 2,200 and growing
- Grew social media followers by 400% by actively engaging with followers and using different content formats
- Exceeded projected income of a major fundraiser and achieved key delivery targets despite covid restrictions
- Reports to the Board of Directors, and drives successful performance of the Secretariat in executing organizational objectives
- Drives strategic improvements to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies
- Manages a team responsible for digital/print communications, business development and partnership, events and marketing, finance and membership
- Collaborates with Consulate General of Canada and Provincial Government Trade Offices on all senior government official visits and inbound business missions
- Manages financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance.
Head of Education and Society
The British Council
04.2012 - 07.2018
- Attained CAD$1m+ in multi-year funding for education and social innovation projects by leading the grant writing process
- Achieved key delivery targets amidst disruptive changes in the region’s funding model
- Provided expert strategic development and planning of the Education and Society portfolio to drive a robust process of programme development, implementation and evaluation with ambitious income targets that made the Hong Kong office the most profitable in the region
- Engaged with key internal and external stakeholders from a diversity of backgrounds, in Hong Kong, UK and the East Asia region to deliver the strategy
- Represented the Council at high level conferences to serve as subject matter liaison for the programs under my portfolio.
- Collaborated with corporations, trusts and foundations that extended the impact, income and reach of the work that best mobilized resource allocation whilst supporting global strategies
- Monitored overhead, prepared budgets and directed spending and resources to support fiscal efficiency.
- Led the organization’s “Green Team” to advocate for more sustainable procurement practices and building operations.
Deputy Director of Education
The British Council
09.2014 - 04.2015
- Managed the East Asia Education portfolio, which consisted of 9 countries, in pursuit of the goals of the regional strategic plan
- Provided high quality project management support in the regional education portfolio, ensuring that initiatives across the region were shaped into impactful programs and services
- Led in the formation of a series of high level policy dialogues that advanced the thought leadership and raised profile of the British Council in UK and East Asia
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects
- Acted as team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback
- Fostered relationships with key stakeholders (e.g. Government, universities, corporations, foundations, civil society) by understanding local, regional and UK stakeholder requirements and contexts
Program Manager
The British Council
02.2009 - 03.2012
- Managed a project team of 10 to plan, deliver and evaluate high quality programs related to STEAM, education, climate change, culture and youth
- Met with project stakeholders on regular basis to assess progress and make adjustments.
- Planned and ensured income and impact targets were achieved and mutually beneficial collaborations with relevant partners built into projects
- Analyzed information, kept up-to-date on relevant trends in the UK and Hong Kong in the aforementioned areas of work to produce reports for internal and external consumption
- Managed project delivery staff and vendors and engaged meaningfully with partners and donor agencies
- Coached team members on productivity strategies to accomplish challenging goals.
Director of Education
Earth Day Canada
Toronto
02.2007 - 02.2009
- Oversaw development and implementation of quality educational programs such as Canada's first environmental education program for English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) learners which positively differentiated the organization and attracted funding
- Prepared action plans to address concerns discovered through surveys, classroom observations and conversations with stakeholders thus increasing program participants year on year
- Set the strategic direction of the education programs and oversaw their implementation
- Developed the educational digital strategy to enhance impact, reach and learning outcomes
- Developed important stakeholder relationships from a variety of backgrounds
Communications, Media and Outreach Executive
The World Commission on
Cape Town
10.1999 - 06.2000
- Coordinated with creative and design teams to produce high-quality visuals for marketing materials.
- Assisted in copyediting, proofreading and revising digital/ print materials and press releases before dispersal.
- Took photographs and videos during special events for promotional materials and social media pages.
- Developed network relationships with sector professionals to enhance community awareness and promote our work.
Project Manager
Environment Canada
Toronto
06.1997 - 04.1998
- Developed and initiated the Food Diversion Initiative (FD), managed costs, and monitored performance.
- Achieved project deadlines by working with stakeholders to manage performance.
- Drafted project reports to identify successful outcomes, insights and future recommendations.
- Facilitated workshops with major food corporations (e.g. Kraft, Campbell's) to collect project requirements and user feedback.
- Monitored project progress, identified risks and took corrective action as needed.
Education
Bachelor of Environmental Sciences, Honours (B.Sc. Hon -
University of Toronto
01.1991 - 01.1996
Masters of Environmental Studies (M.E.S - Environmental Studies (Business & The Environment)
York University
Toronto, Canada 04.1996 - 04.1999
Skills
Business Development
undefinedTimeline
Executive Director
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce
07.2018 - Current
Deputy Director of Education
The British Council
09.2014 - 04.2015
Head of Education and Society
The British Council
04.2012 - 07.2018
Program Manager
The British Council
02.2009 - 03.2012
Director of Education
Earth Day Canada
02.2007 - 02.2009
Communications, Media and Outreach Executive
The World Commission on
10.1999 - 06.2000
Project Manager
Environment Canada
06.1997 - 04.1998
Masters of Environmental Studies (M.E.S - Environmental Studies (Business & The Environment)
York University
04.1996 - 04.1999
Bachelor of Environmental Sciences, Honours (B.Sc. Hon -
University of Toronto
01.1991 - 01.1996
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