Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Board of Directors Experience
Generic
OLIVIER LAZAR
Open To Work

OLIVIER LAZAR

Shaker Heights,Ohio

Summary

Mission-driven Chief Executive Officer with over 20 years of leadership experience in global social impact, education, and youth development initiatives. A passionate advocate for equitable access to education, workforce readiness, and social mobility, skilled in expanding organizational reach, developing high-impact programs, and securing multi-million-dollar funding. Expert in forging public-private partnerships, leading large-scale educational initiatives, and driving sustainable growth in non-profits. Proven ability to scale programs globally, strengthen board governance, and create strategic frameworks that empower youth and underserved communities. Currently serving as Treasurer on the Board of PM4TheWorld and Partner with Valense Ltd., continuing to advance global social impact and organizational transformation initiatives.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience

Work History

Partner

VALENSE Ltd.
01.2025 - Current
  • Consulting & Advisory Engagements
  • Resumed partnership with Valense to develop consulting and training solutions in organizational transformation, strategic execution, and leadership development.
  • Collaborating on international proposals for Fortune 500 corporations, NGOs, and academic institutions.

Vice President, Academic Relationships at PMI

Project Management Institute, PMI
01.2025 - 05.2025
  • Led the development of a new line of business at PMI aimed at developing and growing the Institute’s cooperation and revenue generation with academia.

Vice President, Community & Social Impact at PMI, Chief Operations Officer at PMI Educational Foundation and Project Managers Without Borders

PROJECT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE - Project Management Educational Foundation
01.2023 - 01.2025
  • Led cross-functional teams in effective expansion strategies in alignment with the institute's vision, strategic plans, social impact mission and sustainability goals, leveraging executive leadership expertise focusing on growth, revenue and impact.
  • Covered areas include Chapter Engagement Programs, Academic Programs, PMIEF, PMWB, Social Impact and DE&I.
  • Spearheaded the integration of Project Managers Without Borders (a 501c3 non-profit) into PMI’s ecosystem and drove the alignments of strategies and operational models.

Vice President, Youth & Social Impact at PMI, Chief Operations Officer at PMI Educational Foundation

PROJECT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE - Project Management Educational Foundation
01.2021 - 01.2023
  • Led cross-functional teams in effective expansion strategies in alignment with the institute's vision, strategic plans, social impact mission and sustainability goals, leveraging executive leadership expertise focusing on growth, revenue and impact.
  • Reorganized the Academic Programs department, growing it from 2 to 7 people, increased the number of accredited programs by 30%.
  • Increased enablements from 300’000 to 3’200’000 through the initiation of improvements to the PMI Educational Foundation’s efforts.
  • Grew institute pipeline to include younger generational participation, through the execution of a new youth engagement strategy.
  • Created and implemented the development of PMIs Social Impact, DE&I and ESG strategies and activities.

Vice President Strategic Alliances at PMI, Chief Operations Officer at PMI Educational Foundation

PROJECT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE - Project Management Educational Foundation
01.2020 - 01.2021
  • Directed all efforts designed to improve relationships with 3rd party organizations, which enhanced the value of the PMIs offerings portfolio.
  • Revitalized the Institute’s Educational Foundation, resulting in streamlined operations, and significant cost reductions ($3M per annum).
  • Introduced innovative restructuring of the academic engagement department, which expanded to reach a younger generation.
  • Designed solutions for the educational foundation's optimization of and expansion of partners and individual donors.

Managing Partner & Chief Operations Officer

VALENSE / PALATINE GROUP
01.2004 - 01.2020
  • Led consulting engagements and organizational transformation initiatives across global markets, serving clients in aerospace, healthcare, energy, and education. Designed and implemented governance structures, PMO frameworks, and performance infrastructure to drive enterprise-wide alignment, execution maturity, and operational efficiency.
  • Directed large-scale transformations and strategic delivery systems, including the development of the Project Driven Strategic Chain and PMO Lifecycle governance models.
  • Built and operationalized Project Management Offices (PMOs) and execution frameworks to standardize project delivery, optimize resource management, and increase portfolio visibility.
  • Advised executive teams on organizational maturity audits and execution model design to improve alignment between strategy and implementation.
  • Delivered professional training and academic programs to prepare global leaders and teams for PMI/IPMA certifications and project-based organizational leadership.
  • Operated as a global partner for strategic execution, interfacing with C-level clients across four continents to drive performance, structure, and enterprise capability development.

Practice Director, Project Management Excellence (PME) Practice

ALTRAN GROUP
01.2010 - 01.2013
  • Directed global transformation initiatives as leader of Altran’s Project Management Excellence (PME) practice, overseeing strategy, governance, and execution across 29 countries. Partnered with Fortune 500 clients in luxury retail, healthcare, finance, and technology to design high-impact portfolio management frameworks and build enterprise delivery capabilities.
  • Led a global practice representing 1,600 professionals and generating 27% of the company’s revenue, reporting directly to the Executive Leadership Team.
  • Developed and operationalized strategic roadmaps for portfolio and program management optimization across Europe, North America, and Asia.
  • Advised a multinational luxury retail group (EUR 15B in project volume) on portfolio redesign, integrating strategic alignment metrics, risk modeling, and business performance indicators.
  • Partnered with a global digital security firm to consolidate and reframe their portfolio governance and build tailored competency development plans for program and project managers.
  • Designed and delivered advanced training programs in project, program, risk, and portfolio management to over 1,000 professionals across corporate, academic, and nonprofit sectors.
  • Facilitated executive capability building at a major global pharmaceutical company through targeted training in risk and strategic execution.
  • Worked with leading private banks to strengthen operational risk frameworks using expert systems—precursors to today’s AI-supported analytics.
  • Supported a nonprofit healthcare R&D organization in enhancing its project governance, resource allocation, and program delivery frameworks.
  • Chaired the PME Steering Committee; represented Altran on the PMI Global Executive Council to align practices with international best-in-class standards.

Senior PMO Manager, R&D Portfolio Governance & Operational Risk

MERCK SERONO INTERNATIONAL SA
01.2009 - 01.2010
  • Led the modernization of project, program, and portfolio management frameworks for Merck Serono’s global R&D operations. Delivered enterprise-wide enhancements in performance measurement, financial planning, and process governance to drive data-informed decision-making and reduce operational risk.
  • Designed and deployed standardized governance processes for project and program closure, corporate Balanced Scorecard KPIs, and operational lessons learned protocols.
  • Managed cross-functional change initiatives including the redefinition of phase-gate criteria for R&D progression and the development of the global R&D Handbook.
  • Spearheaded the planning and execution of Merck Serono’s 2010 R&D project budget across multiple therapeutic portfolios.
  • Launched the internal PMP certification program, enhancing execution capabilities and project maturity across R&D teams.
  • Defined and implemented the PMO’s process governance lifecycle, including workflows for process creation, validation, and improvement.
  • Developed and deployed a centralized web-based communication and process management platform to drive adoption and transparency.
  • Contributed to high-impact organizational taskforces aimed at integrating business performance, governance maturity, and compliance alignment.

Consulting Manager, Project & Program Management Transformation

MPG CONSEIL
01.2006 - 01.2009
  • Led consulting engagements in banking, aerospace, and defense sectors, specializing in the design and implementation of enterprise PMOs, performance frameworks, and execution governance systems. Delivered multi-year transformations for global organizations through operational redesign, change leadership, and system integration.
  • Directed the creation and implementation of a divisional PMO for a major European corporate and investment bank, including governance design, organizational structuring, and change management strategy.
  • Led a large-scale transformation for a multinational aerospace and defense manufacturer, deploying EVM and Primavera-based PMIS across 600+ programs (>€3B EAC); managed a team of 48 including 12 consultants and delivered training to 2,200 professionals.
  • Developed and deployed strategic execution frameworks and portfolio management tools for a leading European missile systems firm, driving planning maturity and resource optimization.
  • Supported the launch and expansion of MPG’s consulting service line, including solution design, delivery models, and strategic positioning in the project performance space.

Education

Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) -

Lille Graduate School of Management, Groupe ESC Lille

Master of Science (MSc.) - Project and Program Management

Lille Graduate School of Management, Groupe ESC Lille

Executive Education - Global Business & Politics

Yale School of Management
New Haven, CT

Skills

    Executive Leadership & Board Governance, Organizational Growth & Mission-Driven Strategy

    Fundraising, Philanthropy & Donor Engagement

    Global Youth Empowerment & Workforce Readiness

    Education Program Development & Policy Advocacy

    Strategic Partnerships with Schools, NGOs & Corporations

    Social Impact, DE&I & Sustainability Initiatives

    Public Speaking & Thought Leadership

Accomplishments

  • Increased organization’s efficiency and effectiveness policies and saved $3M of yearly recurring costs at PMIEF, driving the cost to raise a Dollar from $1.74 down to $0.24.
  • Scaled up youth engagement by 10x at PMI Educational Foundation, creating programs that connects more than 3 million youth per annum around the world with entrepreneurship, leadership training, and workforce readiness opportunities.
  • Led the expansion of PMI’s academic partnerships, increasing accredited programs by 30%, strengthening global access to project-based learning and career pathways.
  • Successfully led the integration and strategic alignment of Project Managers Without Borders within PMI.
  • Initiated a social impact strategy and measurement model based on the UNGC metrics and guidelines and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).
  • Developed and led the execution of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy for the organization and the broader community.
  • Lead the coordination and success of project practices at the global land executive levels, across 4 continents.
  • Excels at leading for societal relief, sustainability, DE&I and social impact.
  • Lead organizational transformations related to strategic execution project portfolio monitoring and control for Fortune 100 organizations.
  • Successfully worked across various industries: Aerospace, Healthcare and Pharma, Luxury goods, Non-profit, Corporate banking…

Certification

  • Board Governance Certification, Institute of Directors
  • PMI Certifications: PfMP | PgMP | PMP | PMI-PBA | PMI-RMP | PMI-SP | PMI-ACP | CAPM | PMO-CP

Languages

French
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Polish
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Vice President, Academic Relationships at PMI

Project Management Institute, PMI
01.2025 - 05.2025

Partner

VALENSE Ltd.
01.2025 - Current

Vice President, Community & Social Impact at PMI, Chief Operations Officer at PMI Educational Foundation and Project Managers Without Borders

PROJECT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE - Project Management Educational Foundation
01.2023 - 01.2025

Vice President, Youth & Social Impact at PMI, Chief Operations Officer at PMI Educational Foundation

PROJECT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE - Project Management Educational Foundation
01.2021 - 01.2023

Vice President Strategic Alliances at PMI, Chief Operations Officer at PMI Educational Foundation

PROJECT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE - Project Management Educational Foundation
01.2020 - 01.2021

Practice Director, Project Management Excellence (PME) Practice

ALTRAN GROUP
01.2010 - 01.2013

Senior PMO Manager, R&D Portfolio Governance & Operational Risk

MERCK SERONO INTERNATIONAL SA
01.2009 - 01.2010

Consulting Manager, Project & Program Management Transformation

MPG CONSEIL
01.2006 - 01.2009

Managing Partner & Chief Operations Officer

VALENSE / PALATINE GROUP
01.2004 - 01.2020

Master of Science (MSc.) - Project and Program Management

Lille Graduate School of Management, Groupe ESC Lille

Executive Education - Global Business & Politics

Yale School of Management

Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) -

Lille Graduate School of Management, Groupe ESC Lille

Board of Directors Experience

  • Member of the Board of Directors – Founding Member & Treasurer – PM4TheWorld: A global platform amplifying the positive impact of Project Management for Social Good. Provide strategic financial oversight, governance, and thought leadership for international conferences, webinars, and workshops (2025–present).
  • Member of the Board of Directors – Chair of the Partnerships and Innovation Committee - Junior Achievement Europe – Youth serving not-for-profit, 3 times nominated for the Peace Nobel Price (2022 - present).
  • Member of the Board of Directors - Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF), a not-for-profit, PA (2017- 2020, ex-officio 2020 – 2025 as PMIEF COO).
  • President and member of the Board of Directors, PMI Switzerland Chapter, not-for-profit, 150 volunteers, 1500 members (2010 – 2016).

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