From Biochemistry Lab to Global Innovation Coaching

I'm Amandine Devergies — innovation coach, scientist by training, and relentlessly curious person who has spent 20+ years figuring out how to turn ideas into products that actually reach consumers.

Scientist. Strategist. Coach.

Not the Typical Innovation Coach

I didn’t start in business school. I started in a biochemistry lab in Paris, then trained as a flavorist — learning how food actually works at a molecular level. That scientific foundation shapes everything I do: I’m trained to ask “why does this work?” before accepting that it does.

Over 20 years, I moved from regulatory affairs and R&D into product innovation, then into global strategy and coaching — deliberately building business fluency alongside technical depth. I worked across frozen food in Ohio, chilled dairy in France, coffee strategy at Nestlé in Switzerland, and am now Senior Global Innovation Coach at Cereal Partners Worldwide in Switzerland. Each role added a dimension: consumer insight, cross-functional leadership, digital transformation, and AI integration.

What’s unusual about my profile is the combination: I understand the regulatory constraints that stop ideas cold. I know what R&D can and cannot prototype quickly. I’ve navigated the politics of a global Joint Venture. And I’ve coached teams through all of it — not as a consultant parachuted in with a framework, but as someone who has lived these challenges from the inside.

Technical depth meets business fluency

I hold a Master’s in Flavours and a degree in Biochemistry. I also hold a Micro MBA from Nestlé Rive Reine and a Columbia Business School certificate in Digital Strategy. I speak both languages — and translate between them.

Inside-out perspective

I’ve worked inside regulatory affairs, R&D, product design, global strategy, and team coaching — in the same industry, over 20 years. I know where the obstacles are, and I know how to work around them.

AI as a tool, not a topic

I integrated AI into my innovation practice years before it became a trend. I use it to accelerate insight generation, prototype faster, and save teams 1–2 hours daily. I teach teams to use it — without becoming dependent on it.

20+ Years of Innovation — A Non-Linear Journey

2024 — Present

Senior Global Innovation Coach · Cereal Partners Worldwide (Nestlé & General Mills) · Vevey, Switzerland

Coaching global innovation teams at CPW using Lean Startup methods and AI-accelerated tools to move ideas to validated concepts faster.

2023 — 2024

Senior Global Strategy & Innovation Manager — Coffee · Nestlé · Orbe, Switzerland

Identified 10+ consumer concepts aligned with a new Nespresso business strategy. Deepened AI expertise and integrated Generative AI into daily innovation workflows — saving 1–2 hours per day.

2019 — 2023

Global Group Leader, Front-End Innovation — Dairy & Adjacent Categories · Nestlé · Konolfingen, Switzerland

Led a team designing 50+ consumer-validated innovation concepts in 2–3 months. Built AI-enabled tools reducing data mining time by 30%. Developed the team: 50% of direct reports earned promotions or full-time conversions.

Scope: Dairy, Plant-Based Alternatives, Cocoa & Malted Beverages, Healthy Cereals, Culinary

2015 — 2019

Global Innovation Specialist — Chilled Dairy · Nestlé · Lisieux, France

Designed a yogurt concept outperforming the market leader by 20% in consumer tests. Reduced time-to-project conversion by 50–66% through improved methods and Joint Venture stakeholder management.

2014 — 2015

Global Concept Designer — Frozen Food · Nestlé · Solon, Ohio, USA

Designed a frozen pizza concept driving 7 years of consistent sales growth and earning a 4.7/5 Amazon rating. Introduced a “freedom within the frame” ideation approach generating 10+ breakthrough ideas in 6 months.

2012 — 2014

Platform Project Manager — Weight Management · Jenny Craig · Carlsbad, California, USA

Revitalized 50% of the portfolio. Launched high-quality weight-loss food products across 500+ US locations.

2008 — 2012

Senior Regulatory & Scientific Affairs Manager + Global R&D Project Manager · Nestlé Nutrition · Lausanne, Switzerland

Built cross-category regulatory expertise (sports nutrition, weight management, infant nutrition). Transitioned into R&D project management — bridging scientific rigor with commercial timelines.

2004 — 2008

Regulatory Affairs — Dietetic Industry & Food Flavouring · IDACE / SNIAA · Paris, France

Managed regulatory affairs at industry association level across infant nutrition, medical nutrition, sports nutrition and food flavouring — a cross-category intelligence rare in innovation profiles.

2001 — 2004

Flavorist & Product Development — Dairy · Symrise + Heritage Novandie · France

Trained as a flavorist — the sensory and formulation foundation of my consumer-centred approach to innovation.

Education & Continuous Learning

Master’s degree, Flavours ISIPCA, Paris (2001–2004)
Licentiate degree, Biochemistry Pierre & Marie Curie University, Paris (1998–2001)
Certificate in Human Nutrition University of Lausanne – UNIL (2010–2011)
Certificate in Marketing Research University of Georgia (2014–2015)
Better Process Control School Chapman University (2013)

Innovation & Entrepreneurial Program (Micro MBA) Nestlé Rive Reine
Digital Strategies for Business Columbia Business School
Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT Vanderbilt University
Digital Marketing Google Mobile Academy

What I Believe

“Innovation is not a department. It’s a practice — and like any practice, it gets better with repetition, honest feedback, and the courage to test what you believe.”

“The best ideas rarely come from the loudest person in the room. They come from the team that feels safe enough to say ‘I don’t know’ — and curious enough to find out.”

“AI is the most powerful tool I’ve added to my coaching practice. But a tool is only as good as the judgment behind it.”

Amandine Devergies

“One of Amandine’s standout qualities is her ability to lead innovation workshops with strong drive and a positive mindset. She consistently challenges the team at just the right moments, fostering a creative and consumer-centric approach to problem-solving.”

“Regardless of the challenges — tight deadlines, market complexities, stakeholder management — Amandine always found a pragmatic solution. She is passionate, incredibly organised and knows how to get the best out of people.”

“Amandine’s ability to build cohesive, trusting teams and foster a positive workplace culture is admirable. She transforms every environment she touches with her innovative mindset and inspiring leadership.”

“Amandine’s dedication to excellence, drive in positive engagement with teams and stakeholders — with a remarkable energy — is a key asset to drive business innovation and foster a collaborative working environment.”