ASIF ZULFIQAR-
https://www.linkedin.com/in/azulfiqar/
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SUMMARY
As a business professional, I have partnered with organizations in telecommunication, retail, engineering
transportation and hospitality industries, operating across the globe. In my 15+ year HR career, which spans over 3
continents and 6 countries, I’ve helped organizations, ranging from small start-ups to Fortune 14, meet their current
and future people challenges. My work ranges from Leadership Development to Succession Planning, OD &
Change Facilitation to Performance Management and Employer Branding to Diversity & Inclusion Strategy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeV9C9gcF1c&t=22s.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
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Leadership Development
Organizational Development
Succession Planning
Employer Branding
Diversity & Inclusion
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Organizational Development
HR & Learning Strategy
CEO Succession & Onboarding
Performance Management
Data Science
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Talent Management
Coaching & Mentorship
Employee Engagement
New Hire Orientation & Onboarding
Competency Modeling
CAREER HISTORY
Zakaft Consulting, Toronto, ON
2016 – Current
Principal Consultant
Primarily focus is on providing OD services, however, the work has spilled over to the other areas of business too.
Talent and Performance Management process development for a transportation organization – Toronto
Development of Inclusion & Diversity Strategy for a global technology firm – New Jersey
Organizational transformation of one of the leading hospitality groups – Islamabad
Off-shore operations center setup and talent development for a transportation company – Toronto
Employer branding and cultural change of a technology startup – New Jersey
Talent Management, Compensation & Learning alignment of a merger in healthcare industry – Ottawa.
Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), Saskatoon, SK
2019 – 2020
Talent Development Leader
Led the People Development function of $11 billion retail Co-operative, managing a budget of over $3.5 million.
Developed and implemented INSPIRE – the CO-OP Leadership Experience by strategizing and streamlining
organization’s Leadership Development activities under one umbrella
Enhanced career development programs, ADVANCE, by including Diversity & Inclusion and Social
Responsibility frameworks
Strategized and implemented multi-year CEO Development Program for 171 CO-OPs across Western Canada
Developed and launched framework for Accelerated Development of succession candidates
Crafted and implemented CO-OP Mentorship Philosophy to develop internal mentors
Revised Education Assistance Program for better alignment with the changing business needs.
Calgary Co-operative Association, Calgary, AB
2013 – 2016
Talent Management and Leadership Development Manager
Led the Talent Management and Leadership Development functions of $1.2 billion community member-owned
organization to design and implement talent management, career development and change management programs.
Implemented an integrated Talent Management Process to support Succession of 14 strategic positions by
assessing 300+ managers (& preparing Careers Paths of 20%) to support 7 lines of business
Partnered with a Business School to develop Retail Leadership Development Program for future leaders
Spearheaded Change Management initiatives to support new product launches, new store openings, new
software implementation, and store renovations
Reengineered Employee Engagement by redesigning engagement survey, engaging new survey vendor and
conducting organization-wide engagement action plans and specific interventions
Performed action research through internal & external surveys and focus groups to support Employer
Branding initiative, leading to a new Employer Value Proposition – “Heart at Work, Hard at Work.”
Verizon Communications, Basking Ridge, NJ
2008 – 2013
Talent Development and Communications Manager
Led the talent development efforts of VDMS (Verizon Digital Media Services), a newly created start up
organization within Verizon.
Strategized VDMS Learning Needs and developed customized learning roadmaps for the 17 functional areas
and 52 job families to address short term and long term learning needs of the organization
Planned, designed and Project Managed Development & Delivery of product specific, function related and
industry explicit learning modules for new hires & employees in different functions – PMO, IT, & Operations
Revamped new hire orientation to drive more targeted & impactful learning experience for new team members
Designed and developed case studies, simulation exercises, product specific “pitch” and product platform demo
to create 4-day training workshop for VDMS Sales Team.
Talent Management Specialist (Verizon)
Supported the enterprise in talent management and employer branding strategy development, governance and
metrics – leading the organization to the 22nd spot on BusinessWeek’s “Best Places to Launch a Career” in 2009.
Strategically positioned Verizon Careers as one of the pioneers in the social media
Project managed induction and orientation of 528 enterprise wide interns. Developed assessment model to
identify potential and used action research to make recommendations for the program enhancement
Developed an online onboarding system to enhance new hire experience and to ensure day one productivity
Introduced more interactive contents at the enterprise careers site for enhanced user experience, leading to over
100% increase in website traffic
Generated metrics and prepared periodic executive talent communications for the Board of Directors and
Verizon Leadership Council to engage executives into the current talent management trends.
Talent and Leadership Development Intern (Verizon)
Acquired valuable knowledge of C-Suite Development through managing projects related to CEO Succession,
Executive Education, and Talent Management in a dynamic environment.
Supported the design of “C-Suite Development Model” for top 25 executives focusing on 5 development areas,
in line with organization’s need for CEO succession
Developed Executive Education Curriculum for the year- in liaise with corporate education providers;
aligning Executive Development activities with organization’s 6 imperatives for the year
Analyzed current Talent Management Dashboard and made recommendations to better align Talent
Management efforts with business strategy by adding strategic measures.
Nokia, Helsinki, Finland
2007 – 2007
Organizational Development and Change Management Intern
Gained a rich insight into the role and purpose of Organizational Development in a world class global organization
including the connection between change management and engaging people around key business changes.
Supported the Nokia Way Jam Project (mass engagement process to support Nokia Strategy implementation) by
developing value implementation exercises, taking part in, and organizing sense making sessions
Assisted the LtY (Listening to You) development, Nokia’s employee engagement survey which is focused to
measure emotional and rational commitment of Nokia communities
Developed a change management portal in line with “transition curve” to support Nokia/Siemens Network.
Descon Engineering Limited, Lahore, Pakistan
Learning and Development Manager
2003 – 2006
Designed and delivered soft skilled training programs to develop leaders and future project managers
Led the set up of corporate university, DPMI, to address organization’s Project Management needs
Initiated Talent Management process, Executive Vitality Dashboard, to identify and develop high potentials.
EDUCATION
Master of Human Resource Management – Rutgers University
Certificate in Data Science – IBM Watson
New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Online
2006 - – 2019
OTHER INVOLVEMENTS
Career Coach and Advisor, CPHR, Saskatchewan
Volunteer Facilitator, Junior Achievement – “Economics for Success” facilitator (9 th Grade students)
Ballroom Dancing (Arthur Murray Dance Studios – certified instructor, 6 major ballroom dances)
2019 – Present
2014 – Present
2015 – Present
