Hormoz NAFICY
Biography
Alumnus, La Grande Boissière
Born September 1947 in Tehran, Iran.
Secondary Education: Wellington School (UK), Ecole Internationale de Genève.
University of Rhode Island (USA) BA and MA in Economics.
Started career in the Iranian public sector in 1975 and held a number of senior positions including Director General for International Affairs in the Ministry of Industry and Mines.
Left Iran after the 1979 Revolution and joined the private sector in the United Kingdom. Worked for a number of international oil and gas companies in senior management positions including vice-president responsible for business development.
Fellow of the Energy Institute in the United Kingdom. Served on the Board of a number of Business and Professional bodies and charities. Published papers and articles in business journals. Presented papers and Chaired at international energy conferences. Experience with mentoring younger generations, from many nationalities, with respect to career development.
Married, with two grown sons and one granddaughter.
What are your main motivations for becoming a Board member?
I believe I can assist with corporate fund raising, with project management and with the strengthening of ties with the alumni.
I have a lifetime of experience in these areas.
What skills/expertise would you bring to the Governing Board?
- Governance
- Fundraising
- International pedagogy
- Strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion
In light of the Ecolint Governing Board’s interest in primarily seeking individuals with skills/expertise/experience in financial management, governance, and fundraising, please share concrete examples of how your experience would be relevant, and how this could benefit Ecolint.
I was one of three individuals, at management level, responsible for the setting up of a major oil and gas exploration project in a politically and commercially challenging environment in an oil producing country. I managed the business development aspects which included risk assessment and management, host government relations, contractor relations and local content management. The project which required my employer, a European oil company, to invest close to $500 million and was a commercial success.
How would you support the mission of the Foundation if you are elected to the Governing Board? Emphasising the skills/expertise that were highlighted above, and other leadership and soft skills you would bring to the Board Governing.
I would submit a detailed proposal to the Board to initiate a major corporate fund raising effort.
We have long neglected the business community in Geneva and beyond. There is a huge potential there which I think Ecolint has shied away from.
In relation to this, a major reorganization of the Alumni and Development functions at Ecolint will be required and professional fund raisers could be hired.
I would also submit for consideration a plan on strengthening ties with our Alumni, starting with a review of the data base and an assessment of ways to stay connected with our Alumni.
Finally, could you describe your understanding of relationships within the Governing Board and your approach to the Governing Board culture? How do you imagine the collaboration between the Board members with other stakeholders such as staff, other parents and the local community?
Building consensus across the board has to be the paramount consideration. In all major decisions impacting the health and well being of the school, the Board should seek the views and opinions of all stakeholders, to the extent possible. Staff and parents should feel that the door is always open and that their views matter. Ecolint still has more work to do in terms of relations with the communities physically surrounding the three campuses, the immediate neighbours and with the City, the Canton and at Federal level. Retaining the welcome that was granted back in 1924 is critical.