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David Zhao

Digital Strategy & Architecture | Analytics & AI

Houston, TX, United States
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About
About Me

David Zhao is managing director at Coda Strategy, a management consulting firm, working with digital leaders to execute business strategy through analytics and automation. He has guided numerous organizations through the strategic design and implementation of large, successful digital transformation programs.

David bridges the gap between business needs and technical implementations, by designing high-performing operating models that transform business lines. He is a hands-on, former leader at Deloitte Digital with 16 years of experience through 30+ projects.

David earned his MBA and MS in Computer Science from UT Austin. He has extensive continuing education in analytics and data science. He resides in Houston with his wife and 2 daughters.

Work Experience
Managing Director at Coda Strategy Sep 2020  - present

·      At a F100 pharma company, served as interim product leader for a ChatGPT-based, gen AI platform to translate technical requirements for 22 disparate use cases into a unified product roadmap
·      At an F500 CPG company, prepared 15 business cases for 3-year, $100M+ digital transformation roadmap across marketing, sales, supply chain, manufacturing, and planning for CIO to unlock $350M in value creation
·      At an F500 med device maker, defined 2-year, next-gen digital strategy for five signature programs, to improve product quality, deliver a 5-star customer experience, accelerate new product innovation, and digitize the supply chain
·      For a collaborative of five BCBS healthcare plans, developed a technology strategy, enterprise architecture, and six-month MVP roadmap for a new healthcare data quality management solution that affects 16M total members
·      At a 1000+ person PE-backed digital marketing agency, served as interim Chief Transformation Officer to craft a new digital operating model for 14 divisions to grow 3x through automation and outsourcing and improve margin by $28M

Senior Manager at Deloitte Digital Oct 2017  - Sep 2020

• Led large teams to improve enterprise operations through digital automation such as: (1) crafting an emergency COVID-19 response for a major city to supply 150k meals per day; (2) streamlining analytics for 500k annual warranty requests at an automaker; and (3) redesigning workflows for 30k agents to address 1M annual complaints at a national bank
• Designed digital strategies to execute business vision at leading companies such as (1) modernizing care management for 20M members at a healthcare insurer; and (2) offering a new digital pricing strategy at a waste services company
• Spearheaded formation of the Digital Process Modernization practice across banking, healthcare, insurance, telecoms, and automotive, leading or supporting 40+ proposals and $5 to $10M bookings per fiscal year
• Facilitated seven sessions on leadership development across four programs as an instructor at Deloitte University

Go to Market Leader – Intelligent Automation at Capgemini Jan 2016  - Oct 2017

• Led pre-sales for new opportunities toward $30M target for North American Intelligent Automation practice, focusing on high-tech, automotive, telecoms manufacturing, life sciences, energy, and transportation
• Led team of 9 to create an AI-powered personalization engine for a telecom to increase revenue by $22M over 5 years
• Spearheaded three concurrent teams of 3 onshore and 13 offshore consultants to create a global technical assistance portal, for a global manufacturing company’s dealers in 15 languages and 140 countries

Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) from The University of Texas at Austin
2014 - 2016
Master of Science (MS) from The University of Texas at Austin
2003 - 2005
Focus:
Computer Science
Bachelor of Science (BS) from Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
1999 - 2003
Focus:
Mathematics, Computer Science

Insights

A New Digital Operating Model Can Take Three Forms

A digital operating model is the bridge between digital strategy and digital execution. There are three categories of digital operating models to consider.

What A Great Digital Strategy Consultant Should Really Be Doing

A digital strategy consultant's role is to create strategic alignment between business and IT. This article explains 4 types of engagements.

3 Capabilities You Need To Know About Intelligent Automation

If you're looking to learn more about intelligent automation or wondering how it could help your business, here are three essential capabilities you need to understand.

3 Proven Ways for a Digital Leader to Improve Well-being

Digital leadership is a hot topic in today’s business press. Now, there is evidence that a better digital leader can improve well-being.

Why Digital Leadership Skills Can Lead To Better Well-being

As firms struggle to develop digital leaders, new research highlights the relationship between digital leadership skills and well-being.
Languages
English
Mandarin
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