Members Introduction

Melissa Nimkham - December 2023

Melissa Nimkham

Mélissa has been working in the Design field since 2018, predominantly within scenography and graphic design projects. Her reasons for moving to Switzerland in 2019 were that her husband is a Swiss National, and that the work opportunities were appealing.

She studied in both France and Japan, and has completed a Master’s Degree in Design and Art. In May 2023, Mélissa obtained a PMP certification and became a member of the Swiss chapter and has since joined as a volunteer within the marketing and communication team, fulfilling the role of graphic designer.

Mélissa has worked in various industries, namely, Medical, Retail, Electronics, and Events. Having recently assumed a project management role in the watch industry, expanding her network is her next undertaking.

As a neurodivergent individual, she is interested in all topics related to neurodiversity in the workplace, primarily because her later-in-life diagnosis has spurred the re-evaluation of her entire working life.

Mélissa’s hobbies are drawing and trampoline/acrobatics, with a special interest in video games and trading cards. She is also multi-lingual, as she is a native French-speaker, fluent English-speaker, and has a moderate command of Japanese – Self-proclaiming that she ‘certainly needs to practice more’. She also aspires to learn German and Thai.

You can learn more about Mélissa by visiting her LinkedIn profile.

 

Matthew Walker - December 2023

Matthew Walker

Originally from the UK, Matt has been living in Switzerland since 2014, and has been working in Private Banking since 2006. From his first client-facing function, he transitioned to credit operations, before progressing to project-oriented roles. Roles of this nature are typically associated with sizable transformation projects, wherein banks modernize their IT infrastructure through Core Banking Platform migration. Whilst Matt considers himself a Technical Business Analyst at heart, these projects afforded him the opportunity to gain experience in various other functions, including, UAT Testing, Business Analysis, Programming / Developing, Leading of Streams, and more recently Project Management. In his current role as the Principal Consultant at an International IT Transformation Company, Matt is the Project Manager responsible for the introduction of a new ‘Ticketing Tool’ into the Banks infrastructure. The initiative’s objective is to enhance and align Global processes across multiple regions.

Matt joined the PMI Swiss Chapter seeking to maximise networking opportunities. Following the successful acquisition of a PMP certification, the involvement in a dedicated Project Management community presents further opportunities for professional development.

In his spare time, Matt enjoys making the most of what Switzerland has to offer, namely, skiing, hiking, and relaxing with the family by the lake.

You can learn more about Matthew by visiting his LinkedIn profile.

 

Shinan Chen - January 2024

Shinan Chen

Shinan is a dynamic and fast-learning leader, driven by innovative impact. She has been living in Switzerland since high school, where she learned how to speak both English and German fluently, with Chinese as her mother tongue.

With her 8 months' experience as an Investment Intern at Woodman Asset Management, Shinan has honed her skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis, especially in thematic equity investment and IPO opportunities. Her extracurricular activities, such as chairing the Model WTO conference and leading a sustainable Fashion Award Show, highlight her ability to communicate openly, and serve effectively in leadership roles. She is adept at steering teams through complex situations, improvising with agility in challenging environments.

Currently studying Economics at the University of St. Gallen, with a specialization in Data Science, Shinan is dedicated to continuous learning and improvement.

She enjoys nature through hiking and snowboarding, and has a passion for exploring different foods and wines.

You can learn more about Shinan by visiting her LinkedIn profile

Ioannis Paralikas - December 2023

Ioannis Paralikas

Ioannis is an experienced project management professional and manager with more than 10 years of experience in product development, engineering, and manufacturing. He is a Greek national who has lived in Switzerland since 2012, after having completed all three of his tertiary degrees (Diploma, Masters. and PhD) in mechanical and aeronautical engineering, with particular focus on production systems.

As he has worked across various industries and international corporations in both Switzerland and Germany, Ioannis has developed a diverse professional profile, with experience ranging across numerous functions, including roles within Research & Development (R&D), Supply Chain, and Operations. Currently he is leading complex strategic projects, involving the cultivation of relationships, collaboration and team spirit.

Ioannis is dedicated to continuous learning and development, which is illustrated through his 2015 PMP certification and 2019 ACP-PMI certification acquisitions, along with a Green Belt Six Sigma certification. He is passionate about learning project management-related topics, including the various methodologies, leadership principles, and results-driven delivery. Currently, he derives great satisfaction through the coaching and development of others, as well as mastering team communication.

Ioannis joined the PMI Switzerland chapter to both learn from other professionals, and contribute to the community through volunteering. From a personal perspective, Ioannis is a husband, and father of 2 children. He also enjoys sailing and biking.

You can learn more about Ioannis by visiting his LinkedIn profile.



 

 

Claire Mizutani - December 2023

claire mizutani

Claire has over 12 years of professional experience across various sectors, organizations, roles, and geographies, and currently works within the financial sector in a sustainability role. She continuously strives towards improving her project management, operational excellence, and stakeholder engagement skills. She is a curious learner, always open to broadening her knowledge through training and interactions with like-minded professionals.

Claire obtained her PMP Certification in 2020, which helped her solidify her project management skills. Recently she renewed her certification (October 2023) and is excited to have joined the Swiss chapter.

Claire possesses Master's Degrees in both Engineering and Business, and in 2020 obtained her certification in Business Sustainability Management from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). She has dual citizenship (French and Japanese), and grew up in the U.S. Following the years that she attended universities in France and Argentina, she moved to Lausanne, Switzerland (2016- ).

Claire is passionate about Sustainability and Environmental topics, which is demonstrated through her active involvement in various related activities outside of the workplace. Currently she serves on various advisory and technical committees; performs an academic assessor role within the Business and Climate Change course at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL); volunteers for both the Swiss CISL Social Committee and SHE Changes Climate Switzerland network; provides mentorship to professionals in adopting sustainable practices; and is a recognised affiliated B Leader in Switzerland.

She spends a considerable amount of time enjoying the outdoors, and you are likely to find her running, hiking, paddle boarding or doing yoga. She loves a good book, classical music and jayy, and makes use of any opportunity to explore other cultures. As a big fan of gastronomy and wine, she is also a member of a wine club.

You can learn more about Claire by visiting her LinkedIn profile.