Strategic Advisor | Board Director | Operating Partner Track
Michael Hoang
Helping portfolio companies scale efficiently while staying true to their mission.
22 years in telecommunications operations. Now combining operational discipline with sustainability and responsible business through studies in Tokyo, Basel, and my MBA at Royal Roads.
About Me
I believe the best work happens when you listen more than you talk.
Over 22 years in Canadian telecommunications, I learned that sustainable success comes from understanding the system instead of forcing outcomes. This approach helped me deliver $43M in procurement savings, $32B in revenue optimization, and an 80% reduction in incidents through clear processes and trust.
What drives me is simple: helping organizations and the people in them thrive in ways that create genuine positive impact.
Today, I am deepening this foundation through global studies in responsible business, sustainable supply chains, and purpose-driven leadership. I am ready to bring this toolkit to Operating Partner roles, helping portfolio companies scale efficiently while doing right by their people and communities.
My Values
Trust First
Real partnerships require honesty, not pitches.
Impact Matters
Every engagement should leave organizations stronger.
Quiet Competence
I would rather do the work than talk about it.
Expertise
Two decades of cross-functional experience, now focused on helping organizations navigate complexity with clarity.
Operational Excellence
Making things actually work. Finding where the waste is, fixing what's broken, and helping teams do more with less without burning out.
Sustainability and Responsible Business
Doing right by people and planet isn't just a checkbox. I'm learning how to build it into operations so it drives real value, not just reports.
Canada-EU Trade Facilitation
I've built relationships on the ground in Germany and Switzerland. I understand how business gets done across borders, not just on paper.
Digital Transformation
Helping organizations get through messy technology changes. 5G builds, M&A integrations, system migrations. I've seen what works and what doesn't.
Leadership and People
Helping people grow into roles they did not think they could fill. Leadership is not about control. It is about unlocking potential.
Vendor and Partner Management
Twenty years working with Big 4 firms, global IT providers, and complex vendor relationships. I know how to get the most out of partnerships without burning bridges.
Global Operating Experience
On-the-ground work, not theoretical exposure
15
Countries
4
Continents
22
Years
Deep Dive: India (2018)
Month-long RFP and multi-vendor evaluations across Pune, Bangalore, and Chennai. Assessed IT service providers, negotiated contracts, and learned local operations firsthand.
The Path So Far
From customer care to 5G product strategy. Each chapter taught me a different layer of how organizations actually work.
The Foundation
2005 - 2016
Started in customer care, then moved into wireless network engineering. Learned how the business actually runs from the frontlines. Supervised 3G/4G network deployment and executed complex integrations including a Canadian mobile operator acquisition. This is where I learned that sustainable change starts with understanding the system.
Going Global
2016 - 2019
Moved into system design and technology procurement, managing relationships with Big 4 firms and global IT providers across 15 countries. Delivered $43M in procurement savings, but impact was not just about cost.
After a month-long RFP across Pune, Bangalore, and Chennai, I partnered with a global IT provider who committed to promoting women into technology leadership roles, pushing cultural and industry boundaries, helping narrow the gender gap. That taught me procurement can be a lever for change, not just a cost centre.
Leading Through Change
2019 - 2025
Served as a technology lead for a historic Canadian cable and telecom M&A and integration. Ensured operational continuity for millions of customers, achieved 99.9% activation success rate, and reduced incidents by 80% through ML automation.
Beyond the technical work, I spearheaded a Women in Technology mentorship program, helping early-career female graduates transition into the workforce. Several have since moved into leadership roles. This chapter was about leading people through uncertainty while building the next generation.
Shaping What is Next
2026
My most recent work focused on 5G and satellite-to-mobile product strategy, bridging technical innovation with market needs. Now I'm applying 22 years of operational experience directly with founders, helping early-stage ventures scale sustainably and solve the business model challenges that come with growth.
Governance and Community
Service is not a side project. From boardrooms to hospital fundraisers, 14 years of showing up.
VP Finance and Services
Royal Roads University Student Association, Board of Directors
Designed a perpetual scholarship endowment fund. Providing fiduciary oversight and financial governance for the university's largest student association. MBA Cohort Representative for ~40 peers.
Sustainability Committee Lead and Audit/Finance
PCA Upper Canada Region, Board of Directors
Integrating environmental and social considerations into organizational strategy. Leading program development with community service focus and providing fiduciary oversight through the Audit and Finance Committee.
RRU Entrepreneurship Club
Royal Roads University
Founded a university-recognized club with 20+ alumni network. Organizing speaker sessions, pitch competitions, and skills workshops to foster entrepreneurial mindset across MBA cohorts.
Fundraising Campaign Organizer
BC Children's Hospital Foundation
Sustained charitable commitment raising approximately $14,000 for pediatric care. Long-term community investment through consistent annual campaigns.
The Journey Ahead
The next chapter does not happen by accident. Here is how I am preparing.
Future of Capitalism
RRU x IESE Business School and Shizenkan University
I took this program because I wanted to understand how business can do more than just make money. Learning from leaders like Paul Polman (former Unilever CEO) and John Elkington (sustainability pioneer) challenged how I think about value creation.
MBA Integrative Experience
Royal Roads University, Victoria
Two weeks working with a live client to put everything together. This is where the MBA stops being theory and starts being practice.
BSWISS at FHNW
University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), Basel
I wanted to understand how sustainability actually works in global supply chains, not just the buzzwords. This bridges my operational background with the regulatory side of cross-border business.
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC
I needed an MBA I could do while working full-time. Royal Roads made that possible. Blended learning, classmates from industries I'd never touched (non-profit, arts, hospitality, healthcare), and an international exchange with FHNW Basel that will reshape how I think about global business. I learned as much from my peers as the coursework. It's been a reset on what's possible.
Let's Connect
The best partnerships start with a conversation, not a pitch. If you are building something that matters and want a thought partner who listens more than they talk, I would welcome the conversation.