At a Glance
Multilingual Strategy & Operations leader who builds bridges between vision and execution—turning big ideas into scalable systems, aligned teams, and measurable outcomes. With over a decade of experience across global development, corporate strategy, and mission-driven organizations, he helps teams move with clarity, purpose, and momentum.
- Led strategy in 30+ countries, materially contributing to $3B+ regional growth
- Redesigned operating model and team structure to scale a $200M+ portfolio
- Drove 100% organizational attainment through reengineered KPIs and performance dashboards
- Led development and secured board approval of a global 5-year strategy
- Increased local partner funding by 12%, unlocking $23M+ in disbursements
Global Strategy Leadership Results
About Julien
Strategic Foresight • Scalable Systems • Proven Execution
Corporate Development & Strategy
Global Operations Management
Strategic Partnerships & Business Development
Revenue Growth & Market Expansion
Process Improvement & Change Management
Stakeholder Engagement & Governance
P&L Oversight & Financial Management
Risk Mitigation & Compliance
Industries & Sector Specialization
Global Development & Social Impact
Financial Services & Investment
International Trade & Governance
Corporate Strategy & Operations
The Vision Alignment Impact Framework
A Structured Approach To Turn Strategy Into Execution
Developed over 15+ years of work across industries and sectors, the V.A.I Framework serves as the operating system I use to close the gap between aspiration and execution.
Built on three pillars and six execution pathways, it provides a structured approach to clarify priorities, align people and processes around measurable outcomes and build systems that sustain performance and scale over time.
Vision
Defining Direction with Clarity and Intent
Strategic Architect
Define and focus enterprise priorities to establish a clear and shared strategic direction.
System Design
Build the structures and decision pathways that enable disciplined execution at scale.
Alignment
Creating Cohesion Across People, Priorities, and Processes
Leadership Partner
Strengthen shared ownership and structured collaboration to ensure leadership alignment and coordinated execution.
Operational Integrator
Connect people, systems, and rhythms so strategy flows seamlessly across functions.
Impact
Delivering Outcomes with Precision and Momentum
Scalability Builder
Embed systems and processes that reduce friction and sustain delivery at scale.
Delivery Lead
Turn aligned priorities into measurable outcomes through disciplined follow-through.
Alternate Core Skills & Descriptives
Growth & Performance Driver
Scaled IFC’s portfolio by $3B and increased Counterpart’s partner funding from 16% to 28% ($23M disbursed).
Stakeholder-Oriented Team Leader
Lead cross-functional teams across 30+ countries, engaging senior gov officials, and executives in complex, matrixed environments.
Sustainability-Focused Strategist
Aligning teams, streamlining processes, and securing funding that reinforced long-term resilience.
Strategic Advisor & Change Partner
Guiding 5-year plans, M&A due diligence, and org-wide shifts that improved performance and cohesion.
Cross-Sector Operator
Across areas of finance, nonprofit, and consulting sectors ensuring diverse missions, regulatory settings, and operating models.
Systems Architect
Built KPI frameworks and that supported enterprise decision-making, kept distributed teams aligned, and drove business results.
Career Highlight
Strengthening Operations and Strategy Alignment at Counterpart International
Situation:
Counterpart International managed a $200M+ global portfolio across 15 countries, with a mission-driven team and expanding programmatic reach. As the organization evolved, there was increasing demand for stronger systems, clearer strategic alignment, and more consistent follow-through to ensure that day-to-day operations effectively supported long-term goals and overall impact.
Task:
Partnered with the CEO and senior leadership to build the strategy, systems, and governance needed to strengthen performance, and led my team in operationalizing the infrastructure across the organization to:
- Unify leadership through a 5-year corporate roadmap spanning functions and regions
- Advance strategic initiatives including M&A diligence and the Local Partner Funding Initiative
- Improve performance with enterprise KPI frameworks and real-time performance dashboards
- Standardize delivery via playbooks, governance cadences, and cross-functional workflows
The Results:
- Aligned leadership and clarified priorities through a board-approved 5-year strategy
- Enabled 100% FY24 target attainment with reengineered KPI system and dynamic dashboards
- Achieved a 20% gain in delivery efficiency through streamlined operations and decision-making
- Improved operational consistency via playbooks, governance cadences, and planning cycles
- Unlocked $23M+ in local funding by increasing direct partner disbursements from 16% to 28%
Career Highlight
Bridging Strategy and Execution in 30+ African Markets
Situation:
The Africa region was one of IFC’s fastest-growing and most politically visible portfolios—marked by ambitious targets, evolving market dynamics, and high-level institutional focus. As the organization expanded, there was a growing need for stronger integration between forward planning, performance measurement, and country-level execution to fully capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Task:
Worked alongside the Vice President and regional leadership to develop the insights, structures, and delivery mechanisms needed to improve operational effectiveness across a $10B+portfolio to:
- Clarify operating pathways through standardized planning, pipeline tracking, and structured delivery cycles
- Translate institutional goals into country-level strategies tailored for 30+ diverse African markets
- Enhance visibility and foresight via performance metrics, risk signals, and executive briefs
- Foster cross-country collaboration by scaling best practices and reducing cross-country fragmentation
The Results:
- Led multiyear strategies for 30+ countries, materially contributing to $3B+ regional growth
- Enabled faster, data-driven decisions via custom dashboards and KPI frameworks
- Delivered geopolitical briefings and executive-level insights to inform strategic pivots and risk response
- Improved operational consistency by standardizing planning tools and execution cadences
- Scaled performance tracking and knowledge-sharing platforms to strengthen institutional learning
Career Highlight
How a Mission-Driven Event Exceeded Participation Goals and Cut Costs by 20%
Situation:
The Infrastructure, PPPs, and Guarantees Group at the World Bank was preparing to host a high-stakes international conference focused on transparency and quality infrastructure in Africa. Designed to catalyze cross-sector engagement, the event aimed to convene African government officials, development partners, and World Bank leadership. However, it faced logistical uncertainty, political sensitivities, and limited clarity on how to transform the gathering into more than just a symbolic convening.
Task:
Led strategic and operational coordination for the event, with the goal of delivering meaningful value to stakeholders and enhancing the Bank’s position as a thought leader on infrastructure in Africa. This included:
- Shaping the agenda to align institutional priorities with local government needs across diverse African contexts
- Driving internal coordination across departments to refine content, prepare executive speakers, and manage logistics
- Building external engagement by securing high-level participation and strengthening partner alignment
- Supporting leadership with messaging frameworks and briefing materials tailored to key audiences and event goals
The Results:
- Delivered a culturally resonant, bilingual event experience that deepened engagement with African stakeholders and reinforced the Bank’s regional commitment
- Exceeded participation targets from African government officials and global partners, strengthening stakeholder relationships
- Elevated the World Bank’s credibility as a convener on infrastructure transparency in Africa
- Secured additional external funding to close the budget gap and reinforce shared ownership with development partners
- Delivered the conference on schedule and under budget, achieving a 20% cost savings through swift venue renegotiation
Testimonials
What People Say
Regardless of the initiative, Julien always came to the table with positive energy and a willingness to step in and problem solve to help ensure that we made progress on our goal.
One example is when Julien’s work surrounding our organizational annual targets. He didn’t just track progress — he built a process grounded in partnership that helped ensure that we focused on longer term targets. He set up dedicated 30-minute check-in twice a quarter with me and other senior leaders asking the questions, Where are we? What’s needed? How can I help? It was thoughtful, efficient, and personal — and it made a real difference.
Julien had an exceptional ability to craft strategies that were not only grounded in local realities but also positioned for real follow-through. In fact, several of those countries have since seen a dramatic increase in IFC engagement, including the opening of new country offices to support expanded operations — a lasting testament to the quality and operational relevance of the work we did together.
Beyond strategy design, we also worked hand in hand to prepare senior leadership for high-stakes discussions — whether with government officials or private sector leaders — to help unlock momentum on key initiatives. Julien brought clarity, structure, and a deep understanding of what it takes to bridge vision with execution.
Julien approached every aspect of the work with professionalism, initiative, and a true team-first mindset.
Julien offered strategic input for the conference, collaborated with African officials to build support for its objectives, and helped secure active participation from policy makers on panels and as attendees. As a bilingual speaker, he also served as the event’s master of ceremonies.
One moment that stands out was when an unexpected issue put the event venue at risk. Julien not only secured a replacement location on short notice, but also negotiated such favorable terms with the hotel that helped event delivered a 20% in cost savings under the budget.
Julien combines strategic thinking with a willingness to roll up his sleeves and solve problems. Any organization would benefit from his ability to deliver results while keeping the bigger picture and the team’s success in mind.
What has always stood out to me is Julien’s calm and steady presence. No matter how complex or high-pressure the situation, he remains positive, strategic, and composed. He instinctively shifts the focus toward solutions, helping others see the way forward. That balance of optimism and pragmatism is a rare quality, and one that makes him an exceptional leader.
Julien is the kind of leader who not only delivers results himself but also invests deeply in the success of those around him. I feel fortunate to have benefited from his guidance, and even more fortunate to have had his example as a model for what true leadership looks like.
“Julien was the kind of manager every professional hopes to have at some point in their career. Working on his team was both stretching and empowering — he saw my potential even before I could and pushed me to take on high-visibility, high-impact work. Amidst those moments of growth, he always somehow made me feel like I was in a “safe space.” He was intentional about giving me exposure to senior leadership, consistently shared credit, and made sure my contributions were recognized.
With a relationship built on trust and partnership, I always felt like I could show up as my full self, and I relied on him completely — not just as a manager, but as a mentor. During a particularly difficult time in the organization, Julien showed up with steady support, even while navigating his own challenges.
… he gave guidance that was deeply thoughtful and genuinely in my best interest. Working with Julien was transformative for me, and I am confident that anyone who has the privilege to work with him will feel the same way I do.”
Publications
From Vision to Impact: Embedding Strategy into Daily Operations
Counterpart International Case Study
By co-designing systems with leadership and embedding simple, repeatable routines, we built shared ownership, increased follow-through, and rebuilt trust across teams — turning alignment from a talking point into an operating habit.
What began as reflection became the book I wish I’d had — part story, part guide, and rooted in seven lessons from my own engagement journey. It’s honest, practical, a little funny, and — I hope — timeless.
Ultimately, my goal is to help future grooms feel better equipped to navigate the space between “yes” and “I do” — for their sake, sure, but let’s be honest, it’s mostly for their brides, because at the end of the day, that’s who’s really grading the effort.