Alia Abbas

I'm a seasoned professional with a background in leading transformative initiatives and driving strategic growth across various industries, including consumer goods and retail, media and entertainment, insurance, and finance. Throughout my career, I've been recognized for my ability to craft and execute impactful strategies that result in measurable business growth and operational efficiency. My experience includes serving as a Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff at the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), where I played a pivotal role in enhancing internal communications, team performance, and member services. During my tenure, I accelerated strategic planning processes, established organizational performance metrics that aligned with our CEO's objectives, enhancing decision-making and resource allocation. Prior to that, I served as the Head of Business Operations for Global Development & Technology Operations at The Estée Lauder Companies, where I led digital-first strategies and achieved a 28% increase in online product sales. My role involved streamlining operations, executing technology projects, and establishing performance metrics. I've also held leadership positions at Warner Bros Discovery, Inc. and Prudential Financial, Inc., where I led strategic initiatives, optimized operations, and achieved significant cost savings. I hold a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Cornell University, a Master of Science (MS) in Information Systems Management from Stevens Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence and Human-Computer Interaction from Drexel University. I am also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). In addition to my professional career, I am passionate about promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. I currently serve as a Board of Director and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Chairperson for Trail Blazers Camps and as an Advisory Board Member for the Customer Experience Program at Seton Hall University. My career journey has been marked by a commitment to strategic excellence, a focus on data-driven decision-making, and a dedication to fostering a culture of innovation and operational efficiency. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my experience and expertise to the Chief of Staff Network and contribute to its mission of professional growth and development.

Top Areas of Focus

Business Operations
Business Transformation / Org Change
DEI
Exec Team Organization & Mgmt
Finance & Accounting
People & Culture
Project Management
Strategy & Planning
Change Management

CoS Start Date

Feb 17, 2014

Current Industry

Company Size

10,001+

Experience

3 to 5
years

Previous Experience

Pro Tip

Be a trusted advisor. Your leader should be able to rely on you for honest and unbiased advice. Be sure to do your research and to present all sides of an issue before offering your recommendation.

Gives

Influencing, Strategic Planning

Asks

In the immediate, job opportunities as I am in transition. In general, networking and relationship building (COS can be lonely), support and camaraderie (am I going crazy?), thought leadership, insights and best practices.

Superpowers

Accomplishments