Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Larissa Tambawala

Larissa Tambawala

Mumbai

Summary

  • Dynamic and results-driven professional with 20+ years of global experience across customer experience, retail operations, and end-to-end training and development.
  • Proven expertise in people management, supply chain operations, store design, sales enablement, data-driven decision making, and workforce capability building.
  • Adept at leading cross-functional teams and driving performance through strategic marketing, merchandising, and promotional planning. Recognized for a leadership philosophy rooted in empathy, clarity, and empowerment.
  • Passionate, forward-thinking, and highly organized, with exceptional communication skills and a track record of fostering people-centric, high-performing cultures.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience

Work History

Learning & Capability Development Lead

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. International
10.2023 - Current
  • Lead the design and execution of strategic learning initiatives to enhance workforce performance across premium retail brands.
  • Manage and mentor a team of trainers, driving continuous performance elevation through Train-the-Trainer (TTT) programs and targeted capability building.
  • Develop and deliver comprehensive training programs for frontline retail staff, focusing on customer service excellence and consistent brand experience.
  • Design and implement leadership development journeys for senior managers to support career progression and succession planning.
  • Drive competency mapping, succession planning, and change management initiatives to align learning outcomes with organizational goals.
  • Foster a culture of growth, collaboration, and high performance within a fast-paced fashion retail environment.

Broker, Licensed Administrative Assistant

John L. Scott, Windermere, Redfin
08.2013 - 07.2023
  • Real estate broker focusing on single family homes, new construction, condominium and investment opportunities.
  • Streamlined the overall customer experience, by adopting a bespoke approach that required critical and innovative thinking balanced with a variety of processes to ensure that the customer's dreams were turned into reality. Sellers sold for an average of 7% over list price and buyers won more offers because of the creative and unique terms and conditions implemented.
  • 95% of revenue was earned by a referral business.
  • Meticulously managed company budget, all back-end operations, scheduling and communications.
  • Managed top industry vendors and developed positive working relationships with each.
  • Designed, created and implemented all marketing material.
  • Improved overall processes and branding of the team, increasing the referral base and productivity by an average of 50% with total volume upward of $20M.
  • Assisted clients in building their portfolios, negotiating contracts and the overall sale process.
  • Open House Champion.

Customer Engagement Specialist

Williams Sonoma Inc. /Pottery Barn
10.2012 - 08.2013
  • Organized and owned the gift and bridal registry database of about 400 guests.
  • Learned all product details quickly to deliver custom solutions and exceed customer expectations consistently.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to resolve disputes and observe confidentiality.
  • Awarded 'Employee of the Month' within the first month of being hired for spearheading a customer obsessed service mantra.
  • Demonstrated flexibility to dive deep and thrive amid the initial ambiguity.

General Manager, Training and Development

Aditya Birla Group Retail
10.2009 - 06.2010
  • Company Overview: Fortune 500 multinational conglomerate with revenues in excess of $35B
  • Conceptualized and executed the overall country level training and development program in an elevated customer experience that was second to none. Primary liaison between CEO and VP level management and all store level teams countrywide.
  • Spearheaded diverse functional teams (over 2500 employees) to establish processes, protocols, benchmark metrics and customer service guidelines.
  • Researched all sale related data and partnered with the supply chain teams to identify opportunities and guide improvements.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication and presentation skills, ability to scale across all levels of an organization.
  • Fortune 500 multinational conglomerate with revenues in excess of $35B
  • Mentored and coached manager-level staff throughout the country. Set up the 'train the trainer' format with the Yacobian Philosophy.
  • Maximized resources and managed critical projects that improved productivity and drove efficiency throughout the organization.
  • Zealously worked towards delivering a 'client obsessed' culture while implementing data driven enhancements.

General Manager, Store Operations

Aditya Birla Group Retail
08.2008 - 10.2009
  • Company Overview: Fortune 500 multinational conglomerate with revenues in excess of $35B
  • Lead single point of contact for all business partner teams under store operations and flawlessly managed the first of its kind, flagship men's lifestyle destination store.
  • Successfully launched two additional stores in India. Orchestrated the integration of the new stores including hiring the best candidates, training and ramp up of operations.
  • Infused a sense of ownership among team members and partner vendors, thus improving the overall experience for the customers and establishing a congenial and positive work environment.
  • Inspired a sense of pride and dignity in all roles by always being graceful, yet willing to get my own hands dirty.
  • Fortune 500 multinational conglomerate with revenues in excess of $35B
  • Proven track record of an unrivaled performance, measured by increased revenue (growing revenue to $8.5M in the first 12 months with over 4000 customers, profitability in 24 months, ahead of a 36-month target), customer satisfaction, and organizational health metrics.
  • Recognized for exceptional store design and customer lifestyle experience as Best Retailer of the Year - Luxury Fashion Retail.
  • Balanced both qualitative and quantitative demands of a sophisticated business and delivered results within a short period of time, by hiring and developing a high performing loyal team; setting up, organizing and maintaining a viable customer database.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology & Psychology

University of Mumbai - Mithibai College of Arts
Mumbai

Skills

  • Train-the-Trainer (TTT)
  • Learning Program Development
  • Leadership Development
  • Coaching & Mentoring
  • Staff Development
  • Team Management
  • Capability Building
  • Performance Coaching
  • Behavioral Training
  • Communication
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Change Management
  • Presentation Skills
  • Public Speaking

Timeline

Learning & Capability Development Lead

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. International
10.2023 - Current

Broker, Licensed Administrative Assistant

John L. Scott, Windermere, Redfin
08.2013 - 07.2023

Customer Engagement Specialist

Williams Sonoma Inc. /Pottery Barn
10.2012 - 08.2013

General Manager, Training and Development

Aditya Birla Group Retail
10.2009 - 06.2010

General Manager, Store Operations

Aditya Birla Group Retail
08.2008 - 10.2009

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology & Psychology

University of Mumbai - Mithibai College of Arts

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Larissa Tambawala