Chantalle Lacroix
- Founder and CEO
Relevant Experience
Chantalle co-founded DTRAC in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami which hit Southern Thailand. In response to UNICEF's request to partner on projects and locate missing Tsunami Orphans, she founded Child-TRAC in 2006. Her field of interest is international strategy, policy and legal protection - this combined with her organizational skills and background in HR and finance, has enabled her to respond to need and lead Child-TRAC with its many projects to this day
About me
For more than two decades, I have built a career at the intersection of strategy, governance, finance, research, education, organisational development, and diplomacy - helping organizations and leaders navigate complexity, drive growth, and deliver meaningful change.
Working across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, I have advised boards, executives, teams, and stakeholders through periods of transformation, diversification, and transition. My approach combines strategic vision, commercial acumen, governance expertise, and analytical rigour with a deep understanding of people, culture, and sustainable development.
I am recognised for my ability to quickly assess complex situations, identify opportunities where others see obstacles, and bring together diverse perspectives to create practical, future-orientated solutions. Whether leading organizational change, shaping policy, strengthening governance, or building collaborative partnerships, I focus on delivering lasting impact and measurable results.
At the heart of my work is a commitment to development - of people, organizations, communities, and ideas. By combining visionary thinking with pragmatic execution, I help organisations adapt, grow, and thrive in an evolving world.
My Vision
Sustainable Growth Starts with People
Exceptional organizations are built by exceptional people. Throughout my career, I have seen that sustainable growth, high-performing teams, and lasting organizational success are achieved when individuals are empowered to develop, contribute, and realise their full potential.
As a leader, I believe my role is not simply to direct strategy, but to create the conditions in which people can thrive. By fostering trust, collaboration, and accountability, I help individuals and teams align their strengths with organizational objectives, enabling both personal growth and collective success.
I view development as a critical driver of organisational performance and long-term resilience. The most successful organizations understand that talent is not merely managed - it is nurtured, developed, and strategically aligned with future ambitions. Creating environments where people feel valued, challenged, and supported unlocks innovation, engagement, and sustainable results.
My approach begins with insight: understanding individual strengths, motivations, and potential, while recognising the broader organizational and cultural context. This enables me to identify opportunities, develop leadership capability, support succession and transition planning, and build environments where people and organizations can adapt, grow, and succeed together.
By combining strategic leadership with a human-centred approach, I help organisations transform talent into capability, capability into performance, and performance into lasting impact.
Leadership, Education & International Development
With more than 20 years of international experience spanning higher education, research, organizational development, and humanitarian programmes, I have built a career focused on developing people, strengthening institutions, and creating sustainable impact across cultures and sectors.
Developing Talent & Future Leaders
I have trained, mentored, and coached hundreds of professionals, managers, entrepreneurs, volunteers, and emerging leaders, while supervising and supporting international students and interns from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds. My work includes designing and delivering leadership development programmes, Train-the-Trainer initiatives, and inclusive learning environments that foster growth, engagement, and lifelong learning.
Building Global Partnerships
A key strength throughout my career has been connecting academia, government, business, and civil society to create meaningful partnerships and collaborative opportunities. I have established and managed international relationships with universities, NGOs, government agencies, and community organizations, leading multidisciplinary teams and developing programmes that bridge research, education, policy, and practice.
Research, Innovation & Impact
I have led and contributed to international research and development initiatives across child rights, community development, psychosocial wellbeing, alternative care systems, disaster recovery, and public health. As the developer of the Speak Out Kit (SOK), I have championed innovative approaches to participatory research and stakeholder engagement.
My experience includes designing research methodologies, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and evidence-based learning systems that support strategic decision-making and organizational development. Through this work, I have contributed to major international programmes involving USAID, United Nations disaster recovery initiatives, and large-scale community development projects across Asia and beyond.
Creating Sustainable Change
As founder and leader of Child-TRAC, I have delivered more than 20 international research and development projects, built high-performing multicultural teams, supported the development of local organisations, and created innovative methodologies that continue to influence research, education, and community-based practice.
My work is driven by a commitment to developing people, advancing knowledge, and building partnerships that create lasting value for institutions, communities, and future generations.
Founder / CEO |
Child-TRAC International (2005 - Present)
Responsible for the strategic development, governance, and daily management of an internationally operating organisation in Training, Research, Aid & Care.
Key focus:
Strategic direction, quality assurance, international partnerships, financial policy, fundraising, and capacity building
Chair of the Supervisory Board | Stichting CocoCare
(2025 - Present)
Supervisory role within a multi-site healthcare organisation.
Portfolio: Governance, HR, organisational development, finance & budgeting, quality policy, and strategic future-proofing.
Chair of the Executive Board | D-TRAC
(2004 - 2010)
International organisation focused on disaster management, crisis response, reconstruction, and capacity development.
Key focus:
Governance, strategic planning, project development, tendering processes, stakeholder relations, and international liaison functions