Aysha Alawadhi
Summary
Senior executive with 15 years of global experience leading enterprise strategy, operating model design, and large-scale transformation across financial services, healthcare, technology, and investment organizations. Currently operating at an SVP level, with a proven track record of building and scaling functions across operations, governance, technology, and talent.
Expert in program design and execution, complex project leadership, and data-driven management, translating ambiguous business objectives into scalable operating models, governance frameworks, and executive-level dashboards. Has led cross-border initiatives across the U.S., UK, UAE, Singapore, Türkiye, India, and Egypt within highly regulated, matrixed environments.
Brings deep experience in people leadership and leadership development, including building high-performing teams, developing senior leaders, and driving cultural change as a lever for performance. Known for combining strategic judgment, operational rigor, and change leadership to deliver sustainable results at scale.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
SVP Third Party Mngt and Info Sec
Citibank
Tampa
06.2025 - Current
- Led and developed globally distributed teams across the U.S., UK, EMEA, and APAC, operating across time zones and cultures to deliver legal operations and risk programs in highly matrixed environments.
- Designed scalable governance and operating frameworks supported by predictive analytics and executive dashboards, enabling leadership to anticipate risk, capacity needs, vendor performance trends, and make faster, higher-quality decisions on cost and resource allocation.
- Owned and operated the global Third-Party Information Security Program for legal vendors, strengthening regulatory readiness and reducing third-party risk exposure.
- Established Citi’s annual global law firm review model, shifting vendor management from relationship-based to performance-, risk-, and data-driven decision-making.
- Built a centralized third-party AI capability database, providing enterprise visibility into AI usage and enabling proactive governance and informed policy development.
Global Lead, Culture and Employee Engagement
Emirates NBD Bank PJSC
Tampa, Florida
10.2022 - 06.2025
- Led a global culture and performance transformation for 20,000+ employees across 7 countries, aligning people strategy, ESG, compliance, and operations in regulated markets.
- Drove measurable results, including a 20% reduction in turnover and improved profitability through engagement-led performance frameworks.
- Supported a $1B syndicated finance deal by building HR-ESG metrics, audit-ready dashboards, and governance models used in external diligence.
- Designed and launched enterprise performance, engagement, and wellbeing programs, including scorecards, rewards, and multi-tier performance systems across regions.
- Owned global third-party governance and risk oversight, covering vendor performance, data protection, and ESG-aligned controls.
- Led global policy and regulatory alignment, partnering with regulators, government bodies, and international organizations (including the UN).
- Ran multiple workstreams end-to-end, providing executive reporting, risk management, and team leadership to ensure delivery and compliance.
Director, Culture Transformation and Performance
Anthem (Now Elevance Health)
Indianapolis
08.2021 - 08.2022
- Led a global culture transformation across a 100,000-employee organization, aligning leadership behaviors with performance and engagement goals.
- Designed and implemented enterprise productivity KPIs, enabling clearer performance tracking and improved leadership accountability.
- Built and led a Director-level network of Culture & Performance Champions to scale tailored training across business units.
- Developed high-impact culture activations, including executive leadership briefs and internal communications, to drive awareness and participation.
- Certified facilitator of Senn Delaney’s “Culture Unfreeze” methodology, delivering sessions to 400+ Director-level and senior leaders.
VP People Strategy & Analytics
Emirates NBD Bank PJSC
Dubai
04.2019 - 09.2021
- Developed HR strategy for a $16 billion Islamic Banking organization, directly reducing attrition by 6% and achieved 30% of a multi-year talent development goal within one year
- Managed cross-functional HR operations across 6 verticals with strong regulatory oversight; partnered with internal controls teams to audit systems and ensure compliance across 2,000+ employees.
- Spearheaded automation and process reengineering initiatives, improving SLA adherence and contributing to operational resilience across HR services.
- Built up Talent Acquisition function from scratch, implemented the ATS and developed talent dashboards leading to reduction in time to onboard by 15%
- Development of HR metrics and leadership KPIs
Vice Chair
Al Maskari Holding
Abu Dhabi
01.2017 - 03.2019
- Designed and implemented CSR and ESG-aligned governance structures for client engagement and investment strategy.
- Directed vendor risk assessments and value chain mapping as part of CSR and ESG due diligence initiatives and program viability
- Coordination of all stakeholders including client, target company, vendor to maximize value creation and impact
- P&L ownership ($5m) reporting and reconciliation of ESG and CSR invested dollars to maximize return on impact
- Private Family Office
Project Manager
Mubadala Investment Company PJSC
Abu Dhabi
05.2014 - 12.2016
- Acted as the Learning and Development lead for Training for Activation, ensuring successful hospital accreditation and activation by the JCI (Joint Commission International) and HAAD (Healthcare Authority of Abu Dhabi) covering 7k+ full time employees and 13k+ contract staff
- Led multi-stakeholder projects across Mubadala, Cleveland Clinic Ohio, and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, including integration of compliance-ready LMS systems for 100K+ users.
- Developed frameworks for regulatory training, onboarding, and vendor coordination in alignment with UAE and U.S. healthcare compliance standards.
HR Project Manager
Tanfeeth LLC
Dubai , UAE
02.2011 - 05.2014
- Overseeing training & development of people managers, resulting in a 33% productivity increase in year 1.
- Spearheading performance audit, critical error reviews, SLA compliance, and upward escalations matrix.
- Orchestrated Call Center transformation project leading in a 9% increase in customer satisfaction score in first 3 months.
- Designed and oversaw the roll out of digital university (content development, content housing, testing, data integrity and integration).
- Design and facilitation of training modules (e.g.: fundamentals of Lean, New manager training, coaching etc.).
Education
M.S. - Human Resource Management & Development
New York University
New York, NY01.2017
B.S. - Public Management
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ01.2011
Skills
Operating model & scale
- Operational efficiency & execution excellence
- Process standardization & scalable operating models
- Performance optimization & KPI design
Leadership, talent & culture
- Leadership development & succession
- Culture transformation & change leadership
- Talent management & workforce strategy
Risk, governance & compliance
- Global regulatory compliance
- Third-party risk & vendor governance
- Information security & data protection
Strategy, delivery & stakeholders
- Cross-functional & matrixed leadership
- Senior stakeholder management
- International & cross-border program delivery
Technology & enablement
- Technology integration & enablement
- Data-driven decision support & dashboards
- AI & digital risk governance
Certification
- Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist (CCWS), 01/01/24
- Certified Labor Relations Professional course (CLRP), University of Michigan, 01/01/24
- Certification in Employment Law & Policy Issues, eCornell, 01/01/21
- Certification in Diversity & Inclusion, eCornell, 01/01/21
- Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR), HRCI, 01/01/15
- ICF Executive Coaching Certification, The School of Coaching Certification, 01/01/14
Volunteer Experience
- President of Expert Jury, Bravos Employee Engagement Awards, Herculean Alliance, Dubai, UAE, 01/01/20, Present
- Volunteer, Zionsville Diversity Council, Zionsville, IN, 01/01/22, 01/01/23
- Pro-Bono HR Advisor, Women for Women International, Remote, 01/01/21, 01/01/22
Languages
- English, Fluent
- Arabic, Fluent
Timeline
SVP Third Party Mngt and Info Sec
Citibank
06.2025 - Current
Global Lead, Culture and Employee Engagement
Emirates NBD Bank PJSC
10.2022 - 06.2025
Director, Culture Transformation and Performance
Anthem (Now Elevance Health)
08.2021 - 08.2022
VP People Strategy & Analytics
Emirates NBD Bank PJSC
04.2019 - 09.2021
Vice Chair
Al Maskari Holding
01.2017 - 03.2019
Project Manager
Mubadala Investment Company PJSC
05.2014 - 12.2016
HR Project Manager
Tanfeeth LLC
02.2011 - 05.2014
M.S. - Human Resource Management & Development
New York University
B.S. - Public Management
Northern Arizona University