Karan Verma

Strategy, Portfolio Value Creation & Business Transformation | Energy & Infrastructure | MBA Candidate USC Marshall’26 | ex - ADNOC, Protiviti |

United States

About

Over a decade sitting across both sides of the table, first as in advisory at Protiviti Consulting advising energy companies, oil & gas companies, and infrastructure clients across the GCC, and as an operator at ADNOC Logistics & Services in UAE, an $11Bn listed entity running shipping, and logistics operations across 50+ countries. Now wrapping up my MBA at USC Marshall School of Business in Los Angeles. On the advisory side, I led risk, transformation, and governance engagements for UAE and KSA's largest energy, utility and oil & gas entities, managing C-suite relationships, driving operational improvements and building capabilities across 4+ government energy clients simultaneously. On the operator side, I worked directly with the senior leadership on decisions that mattered, like pre-readiness for IPO, safeguarding ~$10Bn in maritime assets during the Red Sea crisis, 15+ EPC and M&A investment assessments and leading the company's pandemic response across a 50-country operation. Now I'm moving from advising on value to creating it. Open to portfolio value creation, business transformation, and strategy roles across the USA and UAE primarily in energy and infrastructure, but ready to bring this experience to any sector that needs sharp operational and investment thinking.

Experience

  • Teaching Assistant Strategy & Operations at USC Marshall School of Business
    Nov 2025 - Jun 2026 · 8 mos

    Teaching Assistant under Prof. Arvind Bhambri for Strategy & Operations, working for Executive MBA Class, supporting senior leaders in applying strategic and operating model frameworks to real-world business challenges. • Facilitate group discussions, case debriefs and exam review sessions tailored to experienced executives. • Provide support during lectures to deepen understanding of strategy topics and coordinate course logistics across intensive EMBA segments (materials, system updates and communication) in partnership with the Professor.

  • Senior Analyst, Enterprise Risk Management (ADNOC Logistics & Services) at ADNOC Group
    Nov 2020 - Jun 2025 · 4 yrs 8 mos

    ADNOC Logistics & Services is an ADNOC Group listed entity with a market value exceeding US$ 11Bn has operations spanning 50+ countries in the shipping; integrated logistics; drilling chemical manufacturing; terminal/ port handling and oil spill response service segments. It caters to the entire ADNOC Group value chain and serves as its dedicated maritime logistics arm (https://adnocls.ae/). Worked directly with the Company CFO, Manager ERM and business leadership in interactions/ discussions that are imperative to support them in taking critical decisions pertaining to company strategy; security; and operations considering the global outreach of the business. As Risk Specialist, I managed the overall enterprise risk management (ERM) program spread across different risk verticals – Geopolitical / Country risks; Investments; Major Projects; Strategy; Shipping Security; Fraud Scenarios; Pandemic; etc.

  • Protiviti (7 yrs 6 mos)
    • Assistant Manager
      Feb 2016 - Oct 2020 · 4 yrs 9 mos

      Protiviti is a global consulting firm through its network of 85+ offices in over 25 countries provides clients solutions that span critical business problems in technology, business process, analytics, risk, compliance, transactions and internal audit (https://www.protiviti.com/ae-en). As a seasoned Consultant leading client engagement and managing teams I’ve worked for Protiviti’s Business Risk Advisory practice in UAE and India for 7+ years building credentials & experience in the business advisory, business process reviews, risk advisory, enterprise risk management (ERM), fraud, internal audit, and project management in the Oil & Gas, Shipping & Logistics, Utility, Manufacturing and Pharmaceutical sectors. As part of the Company’s Energy and Utilities portfolio I’ve led Projects for key clients in the following sectors (illustrative); - UAE's regulatory authorities across the energy domain; - UAE's national oil companies and their subsidiaries; - One of UAE's national oil company's shipping and logistics entity; - UAE's nuclear energy company; - USA's largest oil & gas entity (M.E Office); - KSA's largest drilling company; and - Multinational and national clients including Regulators in the Power, Oil and Gas industry including downstream and shipping & logistics sector.

    • Consultant
      May 2013 - Feb 2016 · 2 yrs 10 mos

      Consultant with Risk Advisory and Internal Audit practice at New Delhi Office; Served 10 leading multinational and national clients in industries such as consumer electronics, IT, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, real estate, automobile, and financial services. - Led a team of 24 consultants across India for the world’s largest consumer electronics company. Conducting reviews for their partner stores pan India monitoring their customer services and operations. - Was the part of the key client facing team for India’s leading IT Company to ensure successful risk review and analysis of the client’s insurance process valued at over US$ 1 Bn. Worked directly with the Engagement Partner of Protiviti on the project and successfully won 2 new assignments from the client as well. - Conducted overall operations & process reviews for leading International and national clients, identifying process gaps and evaluating risks. Further, advising clients directly in their exposure to risk and the solutions to mitigate them as well.