Jun 2020 – Jul 2021 · 1 yr 1 mo

• Leading Edge Forum is a boutique research and consulting firm specializing in breakthrough yet pragmatic research to support our clients’ business.
• Chris Surdak was recruited from Gartner to lead LEF’s Digital Transformation research practice. Create and deliver disruptive, value-driving business solutions leveraging the latest technologies. Specifically focused on Digital Transformation and Automation, through the use of RPA, Cognitive Computing and AI.

Aug 2019 – Jun 2020 · 10 mos

• Gartner is the world’s leading business and technology research organization, supporting executive management and decision-making for more than 14,000 enterprises in 100+ countries, with annual revenues exceeding $5 billion.
• Recruited to Gartner’s EXP program to lead its Digital Transformation practice. A trusted adviser to C-Level executives working to use technology to create business solutions that make money, save money, and manage risk at major corporations. Advised over 20 C-Level executives of Fortune 500 companies.

Oct 2017 – May 2019 · 1 yr 7 mos · Los Angeles, California

• EY, one of the "Big Four" accounting firms, is one of the largest professional services firms in the world with nearly $40 billion in annual revenues. EY provides accounting, audit and technology consulting to hundreds of the world’s largest organizations.
• Recruited to lead EY’s practice for the West Region, focusing on implementing and remediating RPA and AI technologies for EY’s largest clients. Lead global RPA “SEAL Team”, tasked with remediating and relaunching failed client IA initiatives using resources from 20 offices around the world.

Jan 2017 – Present · 9 yrs 4 mos

• Chris Surdak provides leadership and guidance for the use of Robotic Process Automation in optimization of Information Technology processes. Specifically focused on issues of Governance, Human Resources Management, Organizational Dynamics, Cognitive Computing and the use of RPA, Artificial Intelligence and Analytics to drive Digital Transformation.

Jan 2016 – Apr 2025 · 9 yrs 3 mos · Los Angeles Metropolitan Area · Hybrid

• Chris Surdak's technology consultancy is dedicated to helping clients implement business strategies that are actionable, sustainable and generate value for themselves and their customers.
• Delivered 600+ digital transformation consultation, projects, workshops, & strategy sessions to clients and executives in the United States, Canada, Colombia, Peru and Brazil. Transformation advisor to the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Colombia and the United Arab Emirates.
• Representative projects include:
• Digital Transformation Expert, Digital Government Authority, Saudi Arabia - 2023-Present
• Guided DGA’s efforts in digital transformation of government as part of the Crown Prince’s Vision 2030 transformation initiative.
• Define frameworks for implementing the Vision 2030 strategy across dozens of government ministries.
• Interim Chief Technology Officer, Office of Science & Technology, The White House - 2022-2023
• Led OSTP’s definition and deployment of a Transformation Program Office creating a next-generation intelligence management system for the member states of NATO.
• Led the definition of a reference technical architecture for a federated, cloud-based, artificial-intelligence-enabled, zero-trust analytics platform.
• Digital Transformation Expert at Large, The World Bank - 2017-2019
• Global Digital Transformation lead & contributed to or co-authored the national digital transformation strategies of the governments of Kazakhstan, Colombia, Afghanistan & the UAE.
• Natural Language Processing (NLP) Expert, Fortune 200 Software Company - 2017-2018
• Developed and deployed NLP solution for HR staff optimization & retention based upon quantitative & qualitative analysis of employee interactions.
• Supporting $200M in cost savings & staffing optimization.
• Natural Language Processing (NLP) Expert, Fortune 100 Investment Firm – 2016-2018
• Delivered $1M semantic analytics pilot for a $700B mutual fund. Demonstrated $270M in potential impact to position on 6 investments.

Nov 2015 – Jan 2016 · 2 mos

• HP is a leading technology company with $2 billion in annual sales. HP provides comprehensive software, hardware and services to organizations around the world.
• Promoted to Chief Field Technologist. Lead evangelist, writer, solution architect, strategist and technology architect. Guide business and government leaders in digital transformation.

Jun 2013 – Oct 2015 · 2 yrs 4 mos · Greater Los Angeles Area

• Recruited from Accenture to provide guidance and expertise to C-Level executives in how Autonomy's unique and revolutionary technology can transform how their businesses operate.

Mar 2011 – Jun 2013 · 2 yrs 3 mos

• Accenture is one of the world’s largest services firms with annual revenues exceeding $45 billion.
• Recruited from Siemens to be lead solutions architect for Accenture’s joint initiative with Network Appliance (NetApp), a new strategic initiative for both companies. Defined, sold and delivered optimized storage and compute infrastructures to Fortune 500 clients as part of their larger IT transformation efforts.

Jun 2006 – Mar 2011 · 4 yrs 9 mos

• Siemens is one of the world’s largest technology manufacturing companies, with over €80 billion annual revenue. Siemens IT Solutions was the $5 billion annual revenue IT services arm of Siemens, providing all IT service of Siemens, and to hundreds of Siemen’s top global clients.
• Recruited from ACS to be North American solutions director for Enterprise Content Management, SharePoint, Records Management, Agile and Litigation Support. Responsible for strategic vision setting through day-to-day operations. Manage the North American partnership with Microsoft.

Mar 2005 – Apr 2006 · 1 yr 1 mo

• Applied Computer Solutions was the largest reseller of Sun Microsystems solutions in the United States, with over $1 billion in annual revenues.
• Recruited from Dell to lead $5 million professional services business.

Mar 2003 – Apr 2005 · 2 yrs 1 mo

• Dell is a computer technology company that develops, sells, repairs, and supports computers and related products and service, with annual revenues of $94 billion.
• Recruited to Dell to define, deploy, and support new services offerings and new strategic partnerships across Dell’s customer base.

Aug 2000 – Mar 2003 · 2 yrs 7 mos

• eFORCE Global was a technology solutions and services consultancy with over 2,000 employees globally.
• Recruited to lead eFORCE’s global business strategy and establish a strategy consulting practice. This included the creation and implementation of new product offerings, new markets and new client relationships. It further included sales & marketing, and delivery on key client engagements.

Apr 1999 – Aug 2000 · 1 yr 4 mos

• Co-founder and general manager for this eBusiness startup.
• Developed the technology and business strategy for company.
• Defined and managed the development of the technology and product base of the company.
• Secured first round of funding of $1.5 million from a range of investors.
• Recruited Wilson, Soncini, Goodrich & Rosati as the firm’s legal representation.
• Managed the growth of the business to 45 employees, with two offices.
• Recruited a more experienced CEO and board of directors, including one of the founders of BEA Systems and the largest single investor in Global Crossings.
• Closed business due to market conditions.

Sep 1997 – Apr 1999 · 1 yr 7 mos

• CitiGroup is a global retail and corporate banking and financial services firm with annual revenues of $74 billion.
• Recruited from Mars & Company to lead the functional analysis and testing of Citibank’s first global human resource management system, using Peoplesoft HR.

Jun 1996 – Sep 1997 · 1 yr 3 mos

• Mars & Co is a global strategy consulting firm with 7 offices across the world. Mars provides strategic guidance to many of the world’s largest organizations.
• Recruited out of Wharton Business School to provide strategic consulting services to corporate clients including quantitative analysis of business economics, corporate financial analysis, market analysis, and competitive intelligence in support of executive decision making. Lead teams of consultants and interfaced with senior executives, national leaders and board members at client companies.

Jul 1995 – Jul 1996 · 1 yr

• BDM was a global information technology services and solutions company with then revenues exceeding $775 million.
• Recruited from Lockheed to consult in the areas of Business Process Reengineering, Strategy and Executive Information Systems. Key player in the definition and growth of this new division of BDM.

Jan 1991 – Jul 1995 · 4 yrs 6 mos

• Lockheed Martin is the world’s largest Aerospace and Defense company with over $65 billion in annual revenue.
• Recruited from Penn State University as a systems engineer for both civil and commercial space craft. Developed and implemented new Systems Engineering strategies and tools across commercial product lines.