Northwestern Mutual

Vice President – Enterprise Portfolio Strategy and Advancement

2021-Present

I lead the work that connects strategic vision to operational execution at Northwestern Mutual. My focus is designing how we operate, building the capabilities and ways of working that let us move faster while maintaining the discipline our clients expect.

I work at the intersection of strategic planning, operational delivery, and organizational transformation, helping NM adapt to a rapidly changing world without losing what makes it trusted.

Syracuse University iSchool

Advisory Board Member

2022-Present

Serve on the advisory board for Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies, providing strategic direction to the dean and bringing a corporate perspective that strengthens the academic program. This role allows me to give back to the institution that shaped my early career while helping prepare the next generation of information leaders.

Citizens Bank

SVP of Innovation

2018-2021

Built Citizens Bank’s enterprise innovation capability from the ground up, creating the strategy, funding model, and operating infrastructure to enable innovation at scale across a highly regulated financial institution.

What I accomplished:

• Drove strategic partnerships: Led partnership discussions with Fortune 10 companies to explore new business models and capabilities
• Created the Innovation Fund: Built centralized funding model sponsored by the CEO that invested in 23 strategically-aligned ideas co-incubated with business leaders
• Scaled innovation culture: Grew innovation community of practice from zero to 1,200+ colleagues actively engaged in ideation and experimentation
• Delivered executive-level strategic projects: Partnered directly with Executive Committee members on strategic initiatives, bringing an innovation lens to critical business challenges
• Enabled enterprise innovation: Interfaced with 3,000+ colleagues annually to co-incubate ideas, deliver training programs, and address disruptive market forces
• Built innovation infrastructure: Designed enterprise patent process in partnership with legal to protect intellectual property and created tools that empowered colleagues to experiment rapidly

Deloitte Consulting

Manager

2013-2018

Delivered strategy, technology, and innovation projects for clients across multiple industries, helping Fortune 50 companies modernize core systems, develop machine learning applications, and build innovation capabilities.

What I accomplished:

• Pioneered emerging technology adoption: Oversaw machine learning hackathon resulting in 10 proofs of concept developed by 41 practitioners. Published whitepapers on Blockchain and emerging project management methodologies.
• Founded StartUp Deloitte: Created internal innovation platform that enabled 650+ practitioners to generate 100+ market-viable offerings and secured funding to develop multiple ideas into full-scale projects. Program expanded to include 750+ external participants.
• Led Fortune 50 healthcare innovation strategy: Defined and implemented innovation strategy for major healthcare company, evaluated 294 potential partner companies, and supported 200+ ideas through various stages of development including business case creation for multiple products
• Drove M&A technology integration: Led technology rationalization and post-merger roadmap development for Fortune 50 health plan acquisition
• Built innovation infrastructure: Created the Innovator’s Garage, a program supporting teams building machine learning, cognitive, and blockchain proofs of concept across multiple cloud platforms

Charles River Web Connections (CRWC)

CEO and Founder

2003-2013

Founded my first company in high school to provide custom application development and technology strategy consulting to small and medium-sized businesses. Grew the business steadily while learning fundamental lessons about client management, project delivery, and entrepreneurship.

What I accomplished:

• Supported non-profit organizations through pro-bono consulting services
• Led development of multiple custom applications based on client requirements
• Managed full client lifecycle from pursuit through contract negotiation to project execution
• Doubled revenue during each of the first four years of operation

BrandYourself

CTO/CFO, Co-Founder

2008-2011

Co-founded a venture-backed technology startup that helped people manage their online reputation. Built the company from an idea pitched in a college dorm room to a funded business with revenue and national media attention—including an appearance on Shark Tank.

What I accomplished:

• Raised over $2M in venture capital across multiple financing rounds by pitching venture capital firms and private investors
• Served as board member overseeing financial and strategic decisions for the organization
• Managed development of proprietary technology platform and led technical teams from concept through market delivery
• Scaled operations from founding team to multi-person organization with customers and cash flow
• Established financial and operational corporate governance structure, implementing both waterfall and agile development methodologies

The experience taught me how to build something from nothing—a skill that’s proven invaluable when transforming programs and building new capabilities within large organizations.