Cristina Rusu
Bucharest,Romania
Summary
Dynamic professional with over 15 years of experience in the humanitarian and private sectors, specializing in strategic leadership, crisis management, finance, and human resources. Proven ability to navigate complex challenges while optimizing operational efficiency and leading multicultural teams in fast-paced environments. Dedicated to leveraging governance and project management expertise to promote gender equality, address systemic inequalities, and champion environmental sustainability. A results-oriented approach ensures impactful contributions to organizational goals and community development initiatives.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
3
3
Certification
Work History
Vice President & Board Member
Médecins Sans Frontières Austria
05.2022 - Current
- Elected as Vice President and International General Assembly (IGA) Representative in May 2025, representing MSF Austria at the highest international governance level and supporting the President in board leadership.
- Provide strategic oversight and governance for MSF Austria, ensuring adherence to legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
- Evaluate executive performance and approve key operational decisions, including audits and budgets.
- Contribute to long-term strategic planning and policy development.
- Serve on the MSF-AT Finance & Audit Committee and act as the board’s focal point for HR topics and the HR department.
- Member of the Operational Centre Geneva Congress and HR Commission (until July 2024), advising on executive performance and key operational decisions.
Finance and HR Coordinator
Médecins Sans Frontières
11.2014 - 04.2021
- Led multicultural teams and managed budgets up to €25 million across high-pressure contexts in South Sudan, Eswatini, Iraq, Bangladesh, Yemen, DRC, Angola, Chad, and Sudan.
- Defined and implemented financial strategies, internal controls, and HR policies to ensure transparent financial reporting, legal compliance, and operational efficiency.
- Liaised with local authorities and institutions on legal matters, including registration and tax compliance, labour regulations, and social security obligations.
- Managed financial risk assessments, donor reporting, and ensured alignment with local regulations.
- Managed and developed finance and HR teams, overseeing recruitment, training, and performance management to optimise capacity in complex and high-pressure environments. Provided coaching, conflict resolution, and strategic support to enhance team effectiveness.
- Collaborated with Operations to design and implement Finance and HR policies that addressed mission goals and operational challenges, ensuring adaptability in dynamic contexts.
Finance Analyst & Finance Business Partner
Unilever South-Central Europe
01.2008 - 03.2014
- Provided financial expertise to support business decision-making and acted as a Finance Business Partner for the Supply Chain Management Team across South-Central Europe. Managed an annual budget of ~€20 million, overseeing forecasting, savings, reporting, and budgeting under the Supply Chain function. Recommended strategic actions to optimise costs and enhance long-term efficiency.
- Led budgeting and forecasting processes, including preparation, monitoring, and monthly updates.
- Conducted variance analyses and identified cost-saving opportunities, providing strategic recommendations to optimise performance.
- Delivered monthly and quarterly financial reports, including financial variances, KPIs, and performance insights.
- Developed financial models and ad-hoc reports to support data-driven decision-making and align financial resources with business objectives.
Recruitment Specialist
Business IQ
06.2005 - 07.2006
- Managed end-to-end recruitment for diverse roles, including specialists and middle management, utilising headhunting, job fairs, and targeted media channels.
- Developed and maintained partnerships with universities, recruitment partners, and career events to enhance talent acquisition efforts and attract top talent.
Global Traineeship and HR Team
AIESEC Bucharest
11.2003 - 06.2005
- Promoted the organisation and managed recruitment for over 700 applicants, including new members and exchange program participants, overseeing selection processes and traineeships.
- Provided customer support, including legal guidance for traineeships, student coaching, and organising international online meetings.
- Designed and implemented a six-month coaching system and performance evaluation framework for new members, enhancing retention and development.
Education
LLM - International Human Rights Law
De Montfort University
Leicester, UK01.2024
PGDip - Gender Studies: Gender, Sexuality in Global Politics
SOAS University of London
London, UK01.2024
BA - Economics: International Economic Relations
Academy of Economic Studies
Bucharest, Romania01.2007
Skills
Core Competencies
- Strategic Leadership & Decision-Making: Long-term strategic planning, governance, executive performance evaluation, organizational growth, and sustainability
- Financial Management & Reporting: Budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, financial modeling
- Project & Team Leadership: Large-scale, cross-functional project management, multicultural team leadership, coaching, and mentoring
- Problem Solving & Critical Thinking: Complex issue analysis, data-driven decision-making, trend identification, operational risk mitigation
- Crisis & Risk Management: High-pressure performance, adaptability in volatile environments, proactive risk assessment and mitigation
Technical Skills
- Software Proficiency: MS Office Suite, ERP systems (SAP, Unifield, SAGA Accounting), Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop
Languages
- Romanian (Native), English (Fluent), French (Upper Intermediate), Spanish (Intermediate)
Certification
- Advanced Humanitarian Negotiation | Médecins Sans Frontières (2025)
- Project Management Essentials | DisasterReady (2025)
- Coaching & Mentoring Accreditation (EMCC Global, 2025) – Achieved following successful completion of Mentoring Workshop (MCHub, MSF Norway, 2025)
- Human Rights, Human Wrongs: Challenging Poverty & Social Exclusion | Middlesex University (EdX, 2021)
Training
- Unconscious Bias Workshop – Vienna (2024)
- Human Rights & Gender Short Courses (2021):
- The Rights of Refugees – Amnesty International
- Feminism & Social Justice – UC Santa Cruz
- Social Norms & Social Change – University of Pennsylvania & UNICEF
- International Humanitarian Law – Leiden University
- Leadership & Management Trainings – Coca-Cola, Inbev, AIESEC, Unilever (2005–2013)
Timeline
Vice President & Board Member
Médecins Sans Frontières Austria
05.2022 - Current
Finance and HR Coordinator
Médecins Sans Frontières
11.2014 - 04.2021
Finance Analyst & Finance Business Partner
Unilever South-Central Europe
01.2008 - 03.2014
Recruitment Specialist
Business IQ
06.2005 - 07.2006
Global Traineeship and HR Team
AIESEC Bucharest
11.2003 - 06.2005
LLM - International Human Rights Law
De Montfort University
PGDip - Gender Studies: Gender, Sexuality in Global Politics
SOAS University of London
BA - Economics: International Economic Relations
Academy of Economic Studies
Similar Profiles
Benjamin BulcourtBenjamin Bulcourt
Recruteur de donateurs at Médecins sans frontièresRecruteur de donateurs at Médecins sans frontières
JOHN STEVEN BUYUYAJOHN STEVEN BUYUYA
Medical activity manager at Médecins sans FrontièresMedical activity manager at Médecins sans Frontières
Boris Bertrand BENONDJALA EBOCKBoris Bertrand BENONDJALA EBOCK
Superviseur de prévention et contrôle des infectio at Médecins Sans FrontièresSuperviseur de prévention et contrôle des infectio at Médecins Sans Frontières
Ioana MaziluIoana Mazilu
Exchange Trainee at Design&Health Lab, Politecnico di MilanoExchange Trainee at Design&Health Lab, Politecnico di Milano
Gratiela CostacheGratiela Costache
Multinational Customer Manager at DHL Freight RomaniaMultinational Customer Manager at DHL Freight Romania