ASTAR ADVISORY

Prior to starting Astar Advisory, she worked at AES Corporation (Fortune 200 Global Power Company) for 11 years at various roles including the Managing Director of Program Management Office at Global Engineering & Construction (E&C).  Her major accomplishments include:

 

• Project Management System – Led selection, development and implementation of the Project Management System (Oracle Primavera Unifier) transforming how AES executed construction projects.  System is used to manage $8B global project portfolio with approx. 800 users.  The system includes automated processes in areas such as contract, quality, scope, safety, cost and risk management for the project lifecycle.  AES has been considered an industry leader in its implementation of Primavera Unifier.

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• Claims Management/Settlement – Led effective resolution of numerous claims ranging from $1M to over $200M avoiding costly arbitration and negative impact on the project while maintaining a positive and constructive relationship between the parties – resulting in total savings over $100M.  Drafted and negotiated numerous successful settlement agreements.  Advised the Executive Leadership on whether to settle claims and settlement parameters.

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• Contract Negotiations/Management – Drafted and negotiated contracts ranging from $2M to $1B.  Supported negotiation of project finance agreements.  Implemented proactive contract management processes to avoid and minimize claims and disruption.  Standardized the contracts to ensure that they are consistent with the project execution strategy and lessons learned are incorporated.

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• Project Management Standards – Led development and implementation of the Project Execution Framework consisting of project management standards and best practices used by all AES construction projects to enable successful project execution.  The framework covers project management areas such as schedule, cost, scope, contract, risk and quality management.

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Prior to joining AES, she worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers for 8 years completing numerous national and international consulting assignments including significant public and private projects related to power plant, airport, transportation, manufacturing plant, tunnel, highway, retail chains and pipeline.  Her major accomplishments include:

 

• Mediation/Arbitration – Assisted contractors and owners in numerous mediation and arbitration proceedings resulting in successful outcome.  Performed disruption, delay and cost analysis.  Notable projects/clients include Hong Kong International Airport, KCR Rail Project in Hong Kong, Copenhagen Metro, Boston Deer Island Tunnel and federal/state government.

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• Project Management, Risk and Controls – Performed project management, risk and controls reviews for capital projects and assisted companies in developing their project management standards based on industry best practices.  Notable projects/clients include nuclear power plants in California and Europe, large energy/utility companies, manufacturing plants and E&C companies.

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• Estimating and Bidding – Assisted in preparing and reviewing bid for a nuclear power plant project in China.  Assisted companies in reviewing their contract procurement practices and provided advice regarding the best practices in the industry.  Notable clients include major engineering and construction companies, educational institutions and government agencies.

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• Project Cost Review and Audit – Performed project cost reviews and audits for power plants, airports and highway projects advising clients on proactive cost control processes.   Conducted termination cost audits and settlements.

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She has also participated as chair, speaker and panel member in various conferences and meetings including:

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• Project Analytics: Making Sense of Data, Speaker at Oracle East Utilities Summit – 2017

• Conference Chairperson, EPC Contract & Risk Management Conference – 2017

• Strategies to Successfully Manage Risks Associated with Cost Reimbursable Contracts, Panel Member at the EPC Contract & Risk Management Conference – 2017

• Generating Collaborative Tools for EPC Contract & Risk Mgmt., Speaker at the EPC Contract & Risk Management Conference – 2017

• Using Collaborative Tools for Contract and Claims Management, Speaker at Oracle Primavera Utility Roundtable – 2016

• Primavera Unifier: Program Management Platform, Speaker at Oracle Primavera Annual Kickoff Meeting – 2016

• Dealing with Concurrent Delays on Large-Scale EPC Projects, Panel Member at EPC Contract & Risk Management Conference – 2016

• How to Overcome Repeated Obstacles to Managing Schedule/Cost Risk, Panel Member at EPC Contract & Risk Mgmt. Conf. – 2016

• Program Management Platform, Speaker at Oracle Primavera Utility Roundtable – 2015

• Hydroelectric Project Construction, Speaker at George Mason University, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) – 2015

• AES Transforms Large Global Power Projects, Speaker at Oracle Industry Connect – 2015

• The Transformational Journey, Panel Member at Oracle Industry Connect – 2015

• Primavera Unifier Implementation, Speaker at Oracle Primavera Energy Roundtable – 2013

• Panel Member at 8th Annual ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Conference – 2006

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