ABOUT THE EXPAT COMPASS

The Expat Compass is an executive coaching and consulting service for expatriates, repatriates and organizations that have a multicultural workforce. I coach expatriates to adjust quickly when they move to a new country; repatriates when they relocate back to their home country and leaders who are responsible for a multicultural workforce. The consulting arm of The Expat Compass has done projects around Expatriation and Repatriation Strategy; Localization Strategy as well as Expatriate Assessment and Diversity Consulting. The goal of The Expat Compass is to improve professionals’ social competence to manage in a new culture or to lead effectively in cross cultural situations.

Meet Lawrence Chi

Lawrence coaches expatriates and advises on cross cultural integration. He has 20 years of experience in China and Asia as the Senior HR Head for iconic consumer brands, including Ralph Lauren, SC Johnson and Son, The Walt Disney Company and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

He has selected, coached and mentored expatriate leaders and led cross cultural partnerships between corporate headquarters and Asia subsidiaries.

As a business leader, he has led employer branding and localization strategies, integration of acquisitions, re-engineering of leadership teams and facilitated market entry initiatives.

His team recognitions include the Top Recipient of The Best Employer in Asia three consecutive years and Top Recipient of The Best Business Hotel in Asia three consecutive years. Lawrence was also personally recognized as one of “Asia’s Hot 40 HR Superstars”.

He is active in the community, serving on the Boards of The American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, The Shanghai Sunrise Charity and Blue Door Shelters in York Region.

Lawrence enjoys spending time with the love of his life and their two rambunctious young boys. To recharge his batteries, he runs insanely long distances as fast as physically, mentally and emotionally possible.

Lawrence has a graduate degree from McMaster University (Hamilton, Canada) and a MBA from Rutgers University (New Jersey, USA).  He earned his Certified Professional Coach (CPC) designation from ICA, an ICF certified organization.

Why am I passionate about The Expat Compass?

I wish I had expert support when I touched down in China 20 years ago. I would have avoided communication and management missteps and I would have adjusted and become productive faster. I can only imagine how difficult that experience would have been if I had a family travelling with me. I cannot emphasize enough what a wise investment this personalized support is for individuals and companies. I want to be the resource for others on an international assignment and leading multicultural work teams.