(Credit: Olivia Cahuzac) 

Originally from France, Olivia Cahuzac’s career has taken her across continents and cultures. After studying political science and specialising in security and defence, she began her professional journey in Brussels, working on projects focused on counterterrorism, intelligence, and crisis management. Today, as Corporate Resilience Director at STMicroelectronics, she leads the company’s global crisis management and business continuity initiatives. Having lived and worked in countries including Belgium, Italy, and Singapore — where she recently relocated less than a year ago, Olivia brings a global mindset and deep cross-cultural experience to the ever-evolving world of risk and resilience. 

Returning to Singapore 

Olivia is no stranger to Singapore, having previously lived and worked here between 2016 and 2020. During that period, she joined Control Risks’ crisis and security department, where she worked with organisations across Southeast Asia. The role exposed her to a wide range of industries and resilience challenges, further reinforcing her passion for crisis management, business continuity, and organisational resilience. 

“I spent four years there and it really confirmed to me that I love these topics of resilience, crisis management and business continuity, and that I wanted to continue to build my expertise and career in these fields,” she recalled. 

The experience also gave her valuable insight into the different ways organisations approach resilience. 

“It was fascinating to see the diversity of risks companies face, the different levels of maturity, and how resilience frameworks vary depending on the company’s DNA,” she explained. 

After spending close to a decade in consulting roles across Europe and Asia, working with organisations from diverse industries and backgrounds, Olivia decided to transition into an in-house position at STMicroelectronics. The move allowed her to build on the expertise she had developed throughout her international career while taking ownership of long-term resilience and business continuity programmes. 

Growing Through Different Cultures 

For Olivia, living abroad has shaped far more than her career. Having spent “three quarters” of her life outside of France, she credits international exposure for developing the very qualities that define her leadership style today: flexibility, curiosity, adaptability, and resilience. 

“I feel extremely lucky to have had this experience of growing up and working in different countries and cultures,” she said. “It really helps you develop flexibility and curiosity — all things that I believe you need as a risk manager.” 

Learning to Speak the Same Language 

Working across different regions and industries has taught Olivia the importance of effective communication, particularly when engaging with technical specialists, senior executives, and colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds. She believes successful communication begins with observation, listening, and empathy. 

“I really try to put myself in other people’s shoes and try to get to know them. You must understand how they communicate, how they transmit information, and what matters to them,” she said.  

For Olivia, effective resilience leadership often means serving as a bridge between different groups — helping technical and non-technical stakeholders align around shared objectives despite speaking very different “languages”.  

An Asia-Pacific Perspective 

Olivia believes being based in Asia-Pacific provides valuable insight into a region that continues to shape global business and risk landscapes. 

“I think there is so much happening in this region, and many of the risks here are impacting pretty much every sector and supply chain, far beyond Asia-Pacific,” she said. 

From her perspective, organisations headquartered outside the region can benefit greatly from having risk and resilience professionals on the ground. Being close to local operations, stakeholders, and emerging developments allows organisations to gain a deeper understanding of regional challenges and respond more proactively. 

“It’s critical to have people in the region who can help organisations better understand local risks and emphasise the need to proactively manage and mitigate them,” she explained. “You get a very different perspective when you have people on the ground interacting with local teams and understanding their realities.” 

Having a Community Far From Home 

(Credit: PARIMA)  

Having relocated internationally multiple times, often without an established network or job waiting for her, Olivia understands the importance of building professional connections. 

“Networking has been key throughout my journey,” she said. “On several occasions, I moved to a new country without a job, and networking helped me understand my new environment, meet people, and eventually find career opportunities.” 

This is one reason why she values communities such as PARIMA, which provide opportunities for risk professionals to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and build lasting relationships across industries and borders. 

“I was really impressed about how active PARIMA is as well, and the breadth and depth of activities that are organised.” 

For Olivia, resilience is not only about managing crises and navigating uncertainty. It is also about staying connected, learning from others, and building supportive communities, no matter where in the world your career takes you.