Michelle Thomas

Lead enterprise-wide leadership development strategies for government and corporate clients, aligning learning initiatives with business strategy, workforce transformation, and succession priorities

Strategic Leadership & Capability Consulting
Advise C-suite leaders, HR executives, and institutional stakeholders on leadership capability priorities, translating organisational strategy into scalable leadership development frameworks and enterprise learning solutions.

Oversee end-to-end learning architecture including program design, faculty models, and partner ecosystems to ensure scalable, high-quality delivery across regions

Leadership Academy & Capability Architecture
Design and scale leadership academies across markets, defining capability frameworks, learning architecture, and delivery models aligned to organisational strategy and future skill requirements

Regional Programme Leadership & Governance
Lead the end-to-end management of large-scale leadership development initiatives across complex multi-country environments, overseeing programme architecture, stakeholder alignment, faculty engagement, and delivery governance.

Executive Facilitation & Leadership Development
Facilitate leadership programs, executive workshops, and experiential learning interventions that strengthen strategic thinking, collaboration, and leadership effectiveness across senior and emerging leadership populations.

Learning Innovation & Programme Design
Develop blended learning solutions integrating facilitation, coaching, leadership assessments, and simulations to support scalable leadership development across government and multinational organisations.

Stakeholder Partnership & Culture Integration
Build trusted partnerships with senior leaders and organisational stakeholders to embed leadership capability development into organisational culture, leadership behaviours, and talent strategies.

Impact Measurement & Continuous Improvement
Implement feedback, assessment, and impact measurement frameworks to evaluate leadership program effectiveness and continuously refine learning strategies to support organisational performance and leadership capability growth.

• Learning & Development Leadership | Apr 2019 – Jan 2021
  As Head of the L&D function, led enterprise-wide capability-building initiatives that aligned workforce development with business strategy, fostering a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and inclusion.
• Led enterprise-wide learning and workforce capability strategy, aligning development initiatives with organisational growth, talent pipelines, and long-term workforce planning
• Strategic Planning & Capability Alignment
  Co-led the creation of a comprehensive L&D strategy in collaboration with the HR Director, establishing operational plans, budgets, and KPIs linked to organizational competencies and future workforce needs. Conducted robust training needs analyses using formal assessments and on-ground insights to prioritize development efforts at both the individual and enterprise levels.
• Team & Stakeholder Leadership
  Managed a central team of 6 L&D professionals and coordinated 15 field trainers, supported by an on-call network of government trainers. Enabled seamless learning delivery across functions and regions by aligning teams, resources, and stakeholders with project goals.
• Budgeting & Resource Optimization
  Developed, allocated, and managed the annual L&D budget, ensuring cost-efficient program implementation. Optimized expenditure while maintaining high program quality and delivery standards across initiatives.
• Digital Learning Transformation
  Spearheaded the shift to digital learning through the deployment of Moodle LMS and creation of eLearning assets using Articulate, Camtasia, Canva, and PowerPoint. Launched virtual learning programs via Zoom and led ERP (MWX) implementation with targeted capacity-building interventions.
• Innovative Programs & Inclusion Initiatives
  Designed and delivered gender empowerment and business incubation programs in partnership with the State Bank of Pakistan and SECP, advancing entrepreneurship and inclusive workforce development.
• Program Execution & Knowledge Culture
  Provided strategic leadership in designing, executing, and evaluating the full L&D portfolio. Championed knowledge-sharing platforms, self-directed learning, and mentoring initiatives to embed a sustainable learning culture.
• Policy, Process & Project Oversight
  Led end-to-end L&D project lifecycles—from planning and stakeholder alignment to implementation and post-delivery reviews. Designed and institutionalized L&D frameworks and policies to support scalable and repeatable execution models.
• Competency & Career Development
  Directed organization-wide competency assessments aligned with organisational framework. Designed career pathways and progression ladders to support long-term capability and retention goals.
• Talent Management & Onboarding
  Embedded talent and succession planning into learning frameworks. Developed and facilitated new hire orientation programs to ensure seamless integration and cultural alignment for all new employees.

• Leadership Academy & Success Profiles
  Spearheaded the establishment of a Leadership Academy in partnership with Korn Ferry and the State Bank of Pakistan, targeting 400 top-tier leaders. Designed and implemented leadership development programs grounded in Korn Ferry’s success profiles and competency models. The academy focused on strategic thinking, decision-making, and core leadership capabilities to build a future-ready leadership pipeline across the financial sector.
• Curriculum Development: Women Leadership & Financial Literacy
  Partnered with the State Bank of Pakistan to co-develop specialized curricula for national-level initiatives, including the Women Leadership Program and the National Financial Literacy Program. Empowered women leaders through targeted development pathways and enhanced financial inclusion by equipping underrepresented groups with essential financial knowledge and decision-making skills.
• Career Development & Performance Enablement
  Designed and implemented career ladder programs to strengthen internal talent development across all levels of leadership. Embedded Korn Ferry’s competency framework into performance management processes, providing structured growth pathways and linking individual development to organizational performance metrics.
• Instructional Design & Content Creation
  Created comprehensive training materials—including workbooks, facilitator guides, and participant manuals—to support knowledge transfer and learner engagement. Developed clear learning objectives using Bloom’s Taxonomy and produced structured storyboards and microlearning modules to enhance learner retention and application.
• eLearning & Blended Learning Integration
  Collaborated with graphic designers to develop eLearning content using Articulate 360 and other digital tools. Integrated these modules into blended learning experiences, ensuring consistency and engagement across both virtual and in-person delivery formats.
• Training Delivery: Webinars & Virtual Learning
  Facilitated webinars and short-format training sessions via Webex and Zoom to support internal process rollouts and training delivery across geographically dispersed teams. Ensured interactivity and application through scenario-based discussions and live Q&A.
• Train-the-Trainer & Culture Enablement
  Led Train-the-Trainer (TTT) programs to build internal instructional capacity and ensure high-quality training delivery. Delivered soft skills, inclusion, and gender diversity sessions to foster an inclusive and values-aligned organizational culture.
• Training Needs Analysis & Strategic Planning
  Conducted comprehensive training needs analyses (TNA) to identify capability gaps and align learning strategies with business goals. Recommended targeted interventions to support strategic priorities and workforce capability development.
• Budget & Resource Optimization
  Managed the training function’s budget, ensuring optimal allocation of resources toward high-impact leadership and development initiatives. Balanced cost-efficiency with program effectiveness and scalability.

• Berlitz Leadership Academy – Pakistan (Founding & Delivery)
  Established and led Pakistan’s first Leadership Academy under Berlitz, focused on global leadership, language proficiency, cultural intelligence, and professional development. Designed high-impact programs to equip top-tier leaders with cross-cultural, management, and communication skills essential for local and international success.
• Leadership & Operational Excellence
  Directed a core team of 4 and oversaw 42 faculty members to deliver business training and language programs across industries. Championed operational scalability, ensuring consistent program delivery and sustainable faculty engagement.
• Global Leadership & Culture-Centered Learning
  Delivered executive leadership programs emphasizing cultural sensitivity, global business acumen, and organizational transformation. Facilitated immersive workshops to help leaders build global mindsets, strengthen cross-border collaboration, and lead with agility in diverse environments.
• Instructional Design & Program Innovation
  Developed and implemented custom training modules integrating leadership theory, communication strategies, and practical business tools. Ensured all content met international standards while addressing regional and industry-specific leadership challenges.
• Client Engagement & Strategic Partnerships
  Seconded to Google Poland as a Business and Leadership Trainer, serving clients including Google, Unilever, Roche, Siemens, Habib Bank, and Samba Bank. Delivered tailored learning solutions to enhance leadership effectiveness and team performance across sectors.
• Leadership Development & Executive Learning
  Led bespoke training programs for senior leaders and emerging managers, with a focus on strategic thinking, decision-making, and driving business growth in global markets. Integrated coaching, facilitation, and applied learning into program design.
• Cross-Cultural Leadership Enablement
  Specialized in cross-cultural leadership development, guiding multinational teams to improve collaboration, adaptability, and influence. Partnered with senior executives to build competencies for leading in complex, multicultural business landscapes.