Michelle Arjona
data & process driven agent of change
ABOUT ME
Multilingual* data & process driven agent of change, within the inter/governmental, private and third sectors, committed to ultimately achieve the most powerful impact on as many individuals as possible.
Experienced Diplomat with business acumen and passion for Social Change, engaging with policy makers and working alongside organisations worldwide, has an extensive professional trajectory collaborating with global organisations such as UNESCO, The World Health Organisation and international governments.
*English/Spanish/Arabic
Experience
A multicultural individual with a rich and varied career path, including acting as an International Corporate Actions Specialist for over 10 years (in London and New York) at large investment conglomerates such as JPMorgan, Schroders Investment Management and Citigroup; a Continuous Process Improvement Officer (specialising in data & gap analysis in view to accomplishing process automation) at a Corporate Governance consultancy firm (considered Europe’s largest independent corporate governance and shareholder advisory organisation); a Deputy Manager for an NGO that provides support to People with Learning Disabilities; a Consultant for a variety of UN agencies and currently a Diplomat representing Panama in the UK who travelled to Dubai at the end of 2023 to attend the COP 28 and represented the country at the High Level Meeting on "Disability Rights: Advancing the Agenda". An event in the lead up to the 20th Anniversary of the 2006 adoption of the CRPD (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities), as well as the 5-year review of the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy.
November 2020 - Present
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of Panama in London
Science, Technology & Education Diplomat
- Oversee all aspects of science, technology, and education, driving pioneering outcomes.
- Lead digital transformation initiatives that have significantly reshaped the organisation.
- Spearhead employee training and development, enhancing awareness of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR), AI, Corporate Sustainability, and ESG principles.
- Devise and implement initiatives from concept to execution, creating impactful results.
- Develop guidelines and tools based on thorough research, data analysis, and gap analysis.
- Establish and manage a year-round internship programme.
Due to Diplomacy in the Educational and Technology sector being one of the priorities of the Embassy and at country level, for the first time a Department of Science, Technology and Education was created, both to promote Education in the United Kingdom for Panamanian students and for students of the United Kingdom to learn about the realities of this country through volunteering, as well as to improve the Embassy’s processes through cutting-edge technological tools. To this effect, please refer to the "Key Expertise" section for details of some of the achievements this Department has obtained.
June 2024 - Present
UNFOLD, London - non-profit organisation
Volunteer Mentor
- Empowerment of young adults through a goal-focused programme, based on positive psychology and designed to develop a growth mindset.
September 2018 - November 2020
Centre 404, London - non-profit organisation
Deputy Manager
- Manage a team of 12 to support adults with learning disabilities, while analysing the business and devising new tools and methods for continuous improvement.
August 2017 - July 2018
PTK, London, Start-Up
Customer Support Manager
- Gather and analyse quantitative and qualitative insights to drive product improvements
January 2017 - August 2017
SOS, Virtual Post - New Media
Business Process Improvement (BPI)
- Introduced innovative technologies, including web-based applications and targeted social media campaigns, to expand market reach and drive business growth.
July 2013 - January 2017
UNE, Panama - non-profit organisation
Assistive Technology (AT) Manager
- Conceptualised, coordinated, and managed initiatives providing technical support to individuals with disabilities through Assistive Technology (AT) solutions.
July 2011 - July 2013
PIRC, London - Investment Research Consultants
Process Improvement Officer
- Devised and implemented the automation of key business tasks to optimise resource use and maximise efficiencies.
Financial Conglomerates,
London & New York,
Citigroup,
Schroders Investment Management
JP Morgan Chase
International Corporate Actions Specialist
- Nearly 12 years of international banking experience with leading institutions in London and New York, with extensive exposure to financial markets across the UK, Spain, Portugal, Latin America, France, the US, and Canada.
Education
I am passionate about all that translates into "Social Justice" thus I focus my efforts to continuously reinvent myself in order to optimise my performance and be prepared to take on opportunities that will continue helping me achieve my ultimate goal of changing the world for the better. Through this mindset, I have been able to be readily available to move with time closer to achieving this goal within a variety of industries, sectors and all types of business organisations: private sector (investment banking), intergovernmental (United Nations), public sector (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and the third sector (NGOs).
2024 Organisational Learning & Development (L&D), CIPD Associate Diploma
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Level 5 studies to spearhead the design and implementation of strategic L&D initiatives to align with business goals, enhance employee skills, and foster a culture of continuous learning. Collaborate cross-functionally to address skill gaps, improve performance, and drive overall organisational success. Oversee leadership development programmes to support succession planning and talent retention.
The CIPD is considered a benchmark for excellence in HR and L&D, both in the UK and internationally.
2024 Career Coach and Navigator Professional Certificate, Goodwill Industries International on Coursera
International Coaching Federation (ICF) accredited Professional Certificate on human-centred approach to career coaching, including Career Development theories, models, and tools.
Goodwill Industries International is North America’s leading nonprofit provider of education, training, and career services for people with disadvantages, such as welfare dependency, homelessness, and lack of education or work experience, as well as those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. In 2020, local Goodwills collectively provided employment and training services to almost 22 million individuals.
2020 RPA (Robotic Process Automation) Lifecycle, Implementing RPA with Cognitive Automation and Analytics, Automation Anywhere on Coursera
The course provided the relevant skills to create, manage, and monitor software bots using RPA tools from Automation Anywhere, how to train a bot to perform data extraction using the cognitive tool from Automation Anywhere and analyse the bot for operational and business insights using the Automation Anywhere analytics programme.
2020 Council for Six Sigma Certification and Aveta Business Institute, Continuous Process Improvement - White Belt
A Council for Six Sigma Certification (CSSC) Certified Six Sigma White Belt demonstrates that an individual has been provided, and has demonstrated an understanding of the most relevant concepts of the Six Sigma Methodology.
August 2019 Lean Organisation Management Techniques, NCFE CACHE
The completion of this programme demonstrates the ability for individuals to refer to and implement Lean Organisation Techniques in Business, Business Improvement Tools and Techniques and Working in Business Teams.
July 2019 Equality and Diversity, NCFE CACHE
The completion of this programme demonstrates the ability for individuals to refer to and implement concepts such as Equality and Diversity in Society, Equality and Diversity in the Community and Equality and Diversity in the Workplace.
August 2017
Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths, City & Guilds
The course led to the qualification (equivalent to level 4 GCSEs in Maths) that demonstrates both mathematical skills at the appropriate level and the ability to apply mathematical thinking effectively to solve problems successfully in the workplace and in other real life situations.
June 2016
Data Analysis and Interpretation Specialisation, Wesleyan University on Coursera
The course provided the elements to access and manage data using both Python and SAS programming language, explore patterns and associations among variables, and use machine learning methods to develop predictive algorithms. Additionally, the course culminated with a hands-on project work that demonstrated the ability to apply all of these methods to real-world situations.
BSc (Hons) Applied Psychology & Computing, Bournemouth University, UK
The Applied Psychology and Computing degree (Design, Engineering and Computing School) examined the interaction of computing and psychological factors in the development of usable and acceptable computer systems.
The prime concern of the course was with the inter-relationship of the disciplines of psychology and computing, and their contribution to the design of effective systems, exploring the complex nature of the problems posed by such systems, and the methods and techniques used to solve them.
Some of the subjects studied included: Cognitive Psychology & Biopsychology, Social Psychology & Individual Differences, Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Experimental Design & Statistical Analysis, Interface Design & Implementation, Research Methods, Information Systems, Systems Psychology, Knowledge Based Systems (Artificial Intelligence), Imagery & Cognition, Artificial Neural Networks, Directions in HCI, Computer Visualisation, and Internet Application Development.
Key Expertise
A valuable component that I will be able to bring with me to any organisation is the wide exposure I have been able to gain from the world and its many people-groups, cultures and worldviews through living in and travelling through many countries: USA (New York, Florida, Ohio, California & Texas), UK (amongst many other cities, London - where I currently live & Bournemouth - where I obtained a BSc (Hons) in Applied Psychology & Computing), Costa Rica, Cuba, Spain (while living in Madrid I visited many other cities such as Barcelona, San Sebastian, Seville, Marbella, and so on) and Panama (where I was born).
Process Improvement through Technology
• Successfully led the automation of key business processes in line with companies' strategic objectives.
• At PIRC, conducted a full process analysis for the corporate governance of Director’s remuneration packages and CSR offered by blue-chip companies (gap analysis).
• Involved in highly sophisticated mathematical calculations and the development of a CSR profiling system.
• Extensively liaised with all internal departments.
• Managed change functions following the implementation of new systems.
Partnership Building
• Facilitated networks of mutually compatible providers from the corporate, governmental, and charity sectors.
• Propelled the creation of initiatives such as projects providing Assistive Technology to people with disabilities.
• Supported EdTech solutions to tackle challenges surrounding bilingualism in Panama.
• Enabled digital transformation to improve business processes.
Project Management
• Analysed the structure of service provision within companies (gap analysis) to identify areas of improvement.
• Facilitated the automation of key processes through digital solutions, such as Robotic Process Automation (RPA).
• Acted as the process improvement lead between business stakeholders and IT developers.
Management Skills
• Managed services involving the recruitment and deployment of staff across various functions within companies.
• Set staff targets and agreed on outcomes to meet overall company objectives (KPIs).
Technology and Infrastructure Development
• Identification of tech deficiencies through a thorough gap analysis to carry out the relevant adjustments. For example, the “decommissioning” of a server that was installed 15 years ago and was identified to be in need of removal since it was overheating at dangerous levels.
• Oversee the installation of a Wi-Fi network throughout the building for uninterrupted wireless Internet access, from a speed of 56 kbps to 409,600 kbps, equivalent to 400 Mbps.
• Substantiate the need for the transfer of technology services from the current tech company to a more efficient one for the optimisation of the services offered and oversee the smooth transfer.
• Act as the technical liaison and oversee the installation of a clocking-in machine for the attendance record of the Embassy’s work team in view to extend the installation of this type of system to the rest of the Embassies in due course.
• Rebuilt the website “www.panamaembassy.co.uk” while gaining control of the management of the site -for the first time- within the Embassy.
• Oversee and coordinate the addition of an “Education Section” on the website www.paamaembassy.gob.pa in order to -for the first time- create a focal point of reference with relevant information for Panamanian students who wish to study in the United Kingdom, Ireland or Iceland.
Educational Diplomacy and International Collaboration
• Creation of a six-step manual -from concept- to guide students specifically from Panama to access programmes of study in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Iceland.
• Creation of a database of over 250 partial scholarships categorised across 22 areas of study at universities in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Iceland.
• Extensive Diplomatic efforts with the International Studies team from the Department of Business and Trade of the Government of the United Kingdom and the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Panama, resulting in the coordination of an official visit to Panama of its kind for the first time of universities from the United Kingdom in March 2024.
• Represent Panama in 2022, for the first time, at the Education World Forum (EWF); the largest gathering of education and skills ministers in the world, held since 2002.
Facilitation of International Educational Opportunities and Partnerships
• As a result of extensive Diplomatic efforts, the NGO Future Sense sent around 200 students from the United Kingdom to Panama through the Turing Scheme; Panama being the second country where this initiative is carried out.
• Following considerable Diplomatic efforts, the organisation Futured, a British company based in London, presented the Embassy with an access code to 1,000 scholarships for students from Panama to carry out short course studies at recognised educational institutions in various topics aligned with the UN SDGs.
• Facilitate the establishment of Challenges Abroad in Panama, who offer short-term programmes on STEM, English and climate action to generate impact by leading activities in local communities.
• Facilitate the establishment of MoUs between British universities (for example: Keele University and the University of Westminster) and universities in Panama; particularly around Transnational Education (TNE) - in progress.
• Facilitate the establishment of EVOLVE in Panama; who specialises in offering internship opportunities to university students or professionals already established in a company. - in progress.
• Facilitate the establishment of MDA College in Panama; who specialises in offering courses to international students to acquire the necessary entry qualification for university courses in the United Kingdom. - in progress.
• Further to substantial Diplomatic efforts, the Foxton Books makes an official offer to the Ministry of Education for free and unlimited access to its platform, allowing 5,000 users (students and/or educators) in Panama to benefit from this platform. The platform offers structured support and guidance aimed at the acquisition and development of English language proficiency in the four linguistic skills: reading, writing, listening comprehension and oral expression. - in progress.
United Nations
Headhunted to undertake various specialised roles for the United Nations (UN)
May 2024
UN CRPD
UNITED KINGDOM - Diplomat representing the Republic of Panama at the High Level Meeting on "Disability Rights: Advancing the Agenda". An event in the lead up to the 20th Anniversary of the 2006 adoption of the CRPD (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities), as well as the 5-year review of the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy.
Nov-Dec 2023
UN CCS
UNITED KINGDOM - Diplomat representing the Republic of Panama Diplomat representing the Republic of Panama at the United Nations Climate Change Conference 28, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
November 2016
UNESCO
COSTA RICA - Regional Conference on "ICTs (Information and Communications Technologies) and communication for people with disabilities in Central America". A member of a specialised team representing the Republic of Panama
June 2014
COSP7, UN
NEW YORK - "7th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)". A member of a specialised team to act as an Adviser representing the Republic of Panama during the COSP7 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
March 2014
CSW58, UN
NEW YORK - "The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW or UNCSW)", a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), one of the main UN organs within the United Nations. Headhunted by the National Secretariat on Disability (SENADIS) and the National Institute for Women (INAMU) of the Republic of Panama as one of the members of a specialised team of four to act as an Adviser representing the Republic of Panama during the CSW58 (the fifty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
September 2013
68th UN General Assembly, UN
NEW YORK - "The General Assembly (UNGA)", the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations). A member of a specialised team of four to act as an Adviser representing the Republic of Panama at the HLDM (High Level Development Meeting) on Disability and Development for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the UN MDGs agenda (Millennium Development Goals) during the 68th UN General Assembly in New York.
September 2010
March – August 2010
World Health Organisation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Provide project management and working group support on the approval of Resolution CD50.R8 “Health and Human Rights” during the celebration of PAHO 50th Directing Council at the HQ.
