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Irène Thalamy
Irène Thalamy brings over 20 years of rich professional experience, seamlessly navigating leadership roles across China, Asia, and France. As a seasoned HR leader and member of Executive Committees in global industrial groups, she has cultivated deep operational expertise in diverse and complex environments. A passion marks Irène’s professional journey for empowering leaders, guiding career transitions, and driving organizational growth.
Irène’s career began in France in 1988, where she held pivotal roles as Finance Controller and HR Head in the banking sector (Bank Worms). In 1993, she relocated to China, taking on HR leadership roles in the transportation and agrochemical industries. Over the next 23 years, she served in senior HR positions with regional and global scopes for organizations such as BAX Global, Rhône-Poulenc, Rhodia, Solvay, and Roquette. She also dedicated a decade to volunteering as an HR Vice President on the Board of the Shanghai French School, contributing to education and community development.
Irène has extensive experience managing large-scale transformations’ HR, organizational, and cultural aspects, including mergers, acquisitions, divestments, restructuring, and digital transformation. Her expertise extends to leadership coaching, talent development, and supporting organizations in navigating rapid market expansion and contraction.
With her multicultural background, fluency in French, English, and Mandarin Chinese, and a profound understanding of cross-cultural dynamics, Irène is uniquely positioned to support leaders, teams, and organizations in China, Asia, and Europe.
Typical Clients
Irène works with Western multinational corporations (MNCs), joint ventures, and Chinese enterprises across Asia, China, and Europe.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Career & Leadership Coaching
- Facilitated the career progression of a Commercial Director during a post-acquisition integration.
- Guided internal career reorientation for a manager with Asia-wide responsibilities.
- Supported the successful onboarding of a newly appointed Asia Commercial VP.
- Helped a financial manager in China recover from burnout and develop sustainable stress management strategies.
- Assisted the integration of a new Managing Director into the COMEX for Asia.
- Enhanced communication and assertiveness for a Laboratory Director, improving performance.
- Provided coaching to a woman leader promoted to a senior position in Korea, emphasizing diversity and inclusion.
- Supported the repatriation process and career transition of a financial director.
Team Coaching
- Facilitated team building, vision alignment, and cohesion for the COMEX of a 200-employee company in France.
- Strengthened governance and team cohesion for an executive committee in China.
- Improved collective efficiency and strategic vision for a COMEX team in Asia.
- Enhanced cooperation, communication, and decision-making processes for 20 senior leaders in France.
Credentials
MBA, Normandy Business School, France (1988)
Professional Corporate Coach (Level II), Progress U, Hong Kong (2011)
Certified Professional Coach (Systemic Approach), Maïeutis Institute, Lyon, France (2022)
EMCC Membership, European Mentoring and Coaching Council, Paris
Additional Certifications
- Bachelor’s in Mandarin Chinese & Asian Economy, National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilisations, Paris (1990)
- Neuro-Linguistic Programming (Master Practitioner), Shanghai (2009–2010)
- Non-Violent Communication, France & Belgium (2018–2019)
- Transactional Analysis, Lille, France (2018–2020)
- Berne’s Organizational Theory, Maïeutis Institute, France (2019)
- Process Communication Model® (Certified Coach & Trainer), Paris (2020, 2023)
- Mindfulness & Biodanza Practitioner
Coaching Approach
Sharp insights, intuition, and a client-centered approach characterize Irène’s coaching. Clients describe her as empathetic, nonjudgmental, and empowering while remaining open-minded, challenging, and results-oriented.
Areas of Expertise
- Leadership and team development
- Cross-cultural integration and international mobility
- Career development, career transitions, and diversity initiatives
- Crisis management, stress recovery, and emotional intelligence
- Organizational change and transformation
Industry Knowledge
- Chemical and Agrochemical Industries
- Pharmaceuticals
- Food Industry
- Transportation
- Education
- Retail and Services
Languages
Fluent in French, English, and Mandarin Chinese
Ready to Transform Your Organization?
Partner with Cornerstone China to attract exceptional talent, develop extraordinary leaders, and achieve your business goals. Contact us today at chinateam@cornerstone-china.com or visit www.cornerstone-china.com