Experience Archive

A broad career with a coherent operating pattern.

My career has moved through CPG, beauty, wine, hospitality, commercial finance, software deployment, education, and applied AI. The pattern is consistent: I enter complex operating environments, learn the system, identify the breakpoints, and build enough structure for people to make better decisions.

Joshua Dopkowski career map and operating footprint visual
Commercial systems work visual showing connected finance and execution workflows
Throughline skills

Capabilities that run across all four pillars

These are not separate services. They are the operating layer underneath the work.

Translation & Liaison

Bridging what was said and what was understood.

Between what was said and what was understood. Between commercial intent and system design. Between technical findings and strategic implications. Between functions that use the same words but mean different things — Finance, Sales, IT, Operations, vendors, executives, students, and clients.

Writing, Speaking & Presenting

Complex ideas, clear language — written, verbal, and visual.

Complex ideas communicated clearly in written, verbal, and visual form. Equally comfortable writing a governance framework, leading a client workshop, teaching a finance class, or presenting to a board. Strong at distilling dense material into language people can actually use.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

Accurate diagnosis first. Fix the right thing.

Pattern recognition in systems under pressure. Finding where a problem is actually located — data, process, incentive, configuration, adoption, or commercial logic — before attempting to fix the wrong thing. The goal is an accurate diagnosis, not a convenient explanation.

Creativity & Communication

Creativity as a practical, operational skill.

Creativity as a practical operating skill: naming problems clearly, designing better learning environments, building useful tools, making complex systems visible, and keeping people engaged long enough to understand the work.

Current Work

Doppler/Edward

Strategic Advisor — RGM/TPM Deployment Integrity & Commercial Finance

May 2024–Present · Lyon, France

Operating umbrella for independent advisory, commercial execution diagnostics, PE / investor due diligence support, applied AI, and product-building.

All Four Pillars
  • RGM / TPM / TPO advisory, trade governance, contract-to-cash, and O2C execution.
  • Platform due diligence, vendor interrogation, and post-go-live stabilization.
  • Development of Redline (FP&A simulation) and applied AI / Python study for finance and business education.
  • Finance and marketing teaching at CEFAM (ongoing) and independent facilitation and enablement work.

USAC — University Studies Abroad Consortium

Resident Director

May 2026–Present · Université Catholique de Lyon (UCLY), Lyon, France

Direct all on-site operations for the U.S. study abroad program at UCLY: program P&L, institutional partnerships, student affairs, and faculty direction.

Teaching & Facilitation Strategy & Governance

Direct all on-site operations for the U.S. study abroad program at UCLY: program P&L, institutional partnerships, student affairs, and faculty direction. Primary liaison between the U.S. central office and French academic partners.

Commercial Systems

Visualfabriq

Senior Consultant — Finance Transformation, RGM & TPM/TPO

Dec 2022–May 2024 · Netherlands / Hybrid

10+ markets · Nestlé · Mars · Haleon · Deoleo · North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa

Systems & Execution

Client-facing functional lead across multi-market RGM / TPM / TPO deployments. Embedded as a senior functional and implementation advisor across multi-country engagements where promotional mechanics, Gross-to-Net logic, ERP integration, and settlement behavior had to align.

  • Supported fit/gap assessment, design validation, SIT, UAT, cutover readiness, defect triage, and hypercare across 10+ markets.
  • Worked in client environments including Nestlé, Mars, Haleon, and Deoleo across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
  • Vendor-client alignment on complex promotional mechanics, ERP integration, and settlement path diagnosis.
  • Business-to-technical defect translation — turning commercial complaints into reproducible issue statements for vendor and IT teams.
↑ Promoted

L’Oréal / SalonCentric

Finance Director — Commercial Finance & Trade Governance

Promoted 2016–Sep 2018 · Tampa Bay / New York / New Jersey

Finance Director for SalonCentric, L’Oréal PPD’s $1.1B national salon distribution operation. Direct P&L: $394M.

Strategy & Governance Systems & Execution

Finance Director for SalonCentric, L’Oréal PPD’s $1.1B national salon distribution operation. Direct P&L responsibility: $394M — a mixed portfolio of PPD brands and partner / competitive brands including Dyson, GHD, Bio Ionic, Revlon, Coty, and Olaplex.

What was built

The trade governance and promotions finance function was built from scratch: business case authored, executive sponsorship secured, seven-person team hired and led, function deployed from zero to a governed, auditable operation.

Scope and results

  • Built and governed commercial finance and trade execution routines across a $1.1B channel operation with six distribution centers and four channel layers (sub-distribution, company-owned stores, street sales, e-commerce).
  • Automated contracts, claims, and promotional finance workflows; rebuilt reconciliation routines across AP, AR, settlement, and Gross-to-Net reporting.
  • Simultaneous AP/AR settlement across four channel layers — manufacturer distributor agreements, trade event mechanics, compliance chargebacks, and early payment discount windows.
  • Contributed to 330+ basis points of gross margin recovery over three years through claims automation, ERP alignment, promotional finance redesign, and Gross-to-Net governance.
  • Operations spanned Tampa Bay, Hudson Yards (New York), and New Jersey.

L’Oréal / SalonCentric

Finance Manager / Senior Financial Analyst

Oct 2015–Promoted 2016 · Tampa Bay / New York / New Jersey

Managed forecasting, P&L, and sales-cycle reporting for the SalonCentric business unit.

Strategy & Governance Systems & Execution
  • Managed forecasting, P&L, and sales-cycle reporting for the SalonCentric business unit.
  • Built trade investment allocation reporting tools used for commercial leadership decisions.
  • Coordinated promotions finance processes, performance tracking, and accrual routines.

Teaching

CEFAM — Centre d’Études Franco-Américain de Management

Finance Instructor — FP&A, Financial Markets & Analytics

Sep 2019–Present · Lyon, France

Finance, FP&A, marketing, consumer behavior, sustainable finance, and accounting across BBA cohorts.

Teaching & Facilitation

Designed and delivered practical coursework integrating financial logic, analytics, AI, ERP behavior, and business judgment across multiple cohorts.

Courses taught

  • Financial Planning & Analysis (BBA) — Analyzes corporate financial statements using modern data analytics, social science research methods, and applied storytelling.
  • Portfolio Management (BBA) — Global financial asset investment using business intelligence tools and financial report analysis. Covers money and capital markets, derivatives, and portfolio theory.
  • Consumer Behavior (BBA) — Major trends in consumer behavior examined through consumer psychology, behavioral economics, behavioral finance, and sociology.
  • Introduction to Marketing (BBA, First Year) — Brand management, product development, distribution planning, pricing strategy, promotional planning, marketing communications, and business case analysis.
  • Sustainable Finance (BBA) — Financial audits, regulation and compliance with focus on green finance and CSR reporting for international corporations.
  • Principles of Accounting (BBA) — GAAP and IFRS accounting rules and concepts.

INSEEC

Finance Lecturer

Sep 2022–Dec 2022 · Lyon, France

Finance of International Business Development, Marketing Budgets, and Financial Planning & Analysis.

Teaching & Facilitation
  • Finance of International Business Development — Explored the complexity of manufacturing and exporting a product internationally, with primary focus on Luxury Wine. Students identified international opportunities, analyzed liability, and sourced trade data.
  • Marketing Budgets — Covered budgeting processes across diverse organizations: scope, teams, scheduling, resources, and contracts.
  • Financial Planning & Analysis (BBA) — Analyzes corporate financial statements using modern data technology combined with social science research methods and applied storytelling.

emlyon business school

Instructor & Researcher — Entrepreneurship

Sep 2018–Jul 2020 · Paris / Lyon / Saint-Étienne, France

MSc course delivery, professional thesis supervision, and research in CPG, luxury, entrepreneurship, and commercial resilience.

Teaching & Facilitation Strategy & Governance

Instructeur · Supervisor of Professional Thesis · Assistant de Pédagogie

Worked in CPG, luxury, entrepreneurship, and commercial resilience. The work connected institutional economics, commercial systems, scenario planning, and executive education — including doctoral-level research on resilience in entrepreneurship with the OCE Research Center.

Courses and projects

  • MSc Luxury Management and Marketing (Thesis Supervision) — Supervised specialized projects for MSc students demonstrating deep understanding of a luxury sector via business plan or thesis. Selected supervised projects: Trend Forecasting in the Digital Age, Business Plan: Maison Lycon — Dog Resort & Spa, The French wine industry and the Chinese opportunity, TikTok as a tool for luxury brand marketing in China.
  • New Ventures in the Luxury Industry (MSc) — Entrepreneurship concepts from the perspective of founders, investors, and established firms in the global luxury industry.
  • Leadership in New Ventures (BBA) — Professional insight for new business strategy development, opportunities from regulation, entrepreneurial finance, and navigating start-ups and professional networks.
  • Strategic Management (MBA — Teaching Assistant, Fall 2018) — Teaching assistant for the Strategic Management course in the emlyon MBA program. Supported course delivery, student engagement, and assessment activities.

USAC — University Studies Abroad Consortium

Marketing Instructor

Sep 2025–May 2026 · Lyon, France

Survey course in digital marketing for international business: strategy, social, SEO/GEO fundamentals, analytics, and campaign performance vs. plan.

Teaching & Facilitation
  • Digital Marketing for International Business — Survey course covering strategy, social media, SEO/GEO fundamentals, analytics, and campaign performance vs. plan. Course conducted entirely in English.

USAC — University Studies Abroad Consortium

Instructor — Digital Marketing

2021–2022 · Lyon, France

Digital Marketing — undergraduate survey course for international students studying abroad in Lyon.

Teaching & Facilitation
  • Digital Marketing (Undergraduate) — Survey course covering the foundations and practice of digital marketing for international undergraduate students studying abroad in Lyon. Topics included digital marketing strategy, social media marketing, content marketing, SEO fundamentals, email marketing, analytics, and campaign planning. Course conducted entirely in English.

ISCPA — Institut Supérieur des Médias

Guest Instructor — Media & Communications

Fall 2019 · Lyon, France

Introduction to Journalism · Mass Media & Society · Communication Studies. All courses taught in English.

Teaching & Facilitation
  • Introduction to Journalism (Bachelor — Journalism track) — Foundations of journalistic practice: news writing, editorial judgment, source ethics, media formats (print, digital, broadcast), and the role of journalism in democratic society. Conducted in English.
  • Mass Media & Society (Bachelor — Mass Communications track) — Survey of mass media systems, media theory, audience behavior, media effects, and the evolving relationship between media institutions and society. Conducted in English.
  • Communication Studies (Bachelor — Communication track) — Overview of communication theory and practice across interpersonal, organizational, and public communication contexts. Covered communication models, rhetoric, persuasion, and applied communication in professional settings. Conducted in English.

Earlier Career

EO Products

Head of Product Development & Commercial Analytics

2014–2015 · San Francisco Bay Area

Commercial and analytical role at a $35M personal care firm in mass retail channels including Whole Foods, Target, and Marshalls.

Strategy & Governance Systems & Execution
  • Managed COGS models, BOMs, pro forma P&L, NPV analysis, supplier sourcing, SKU performance, and syndicated / POS data analysis.
  • Product development across personal care SKU portfolio for national retail channels.

Keysight Technologies (Agilent / Keysight)

Pricing Analyst

MBA Internship · May–Sep 2014 · San Francisco Bay Area

Supported the Technology Order Fulfillment division during the Agilent-to-Keysight de-merger.

Strategy & Governance

Supported the Technology Order Fulfillment division during the Agilent-to-Keysight de-merger, including pricing, supply chain, gross margin, and order fulfillment content.

Doppler Beverage Advisory

Founder — Doppler Beverage Advisory

2009–2014 · California

Founded and operated an independent advisory practice supporting premium wine and beverage brands.

Strategy & Governance Build Studio

Founded and operated an independent advisory practice supporting premium wine and beverage brands across DTC marketing, trade programs, CRM, POS execution, compliance, and hospitality.

Estée Lauder / Clinique & L’Oréal

Product, Marketing & Launch Operations

2001–2009 · New York City

Product development, marketing analysis, launch coordination, and promotional execution across leading beauty brands.

Systems & Execution Strategy & Governance

Worked through product development, marketing analysis, launch coordination, promotional execution, retailer support, packaging, logistics, and retail performance routines at Estée Lauder / Clinique and L’Oréal.

Market footprint

24 markets across four regions.

North America

USA, Canada

Europe

UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Portugal, Turkey

Middle East

Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt

Africa

South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, Ethiopia

Education & credentials

Academic foundation and selected credentials.

New York University

B.S., Communication Studies — Department of Media, Culture & Communication. Cum laude. Founders Day Award.

Sonoma State University

MBA — International Business.

Visualfabriq Bootcamp IBM Data Analysis with Python IBM GenAI with Python Databricks GenAI Fundamentals Microsoft Azure AI Essentials Professional Certificate