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Stefan F. D. Digital Strategy, Turnaround & Transformation LeadSF

Stefan F. D.

Digital Strategy, Turnaround & Transformation Lead
  • Suggested rate
    €2,000 / day
  • Experience15+ years
  • Response rate100%
  • Response time1 hour
The project will begin once you accept Stefan F.'s quote.
Location and workplace preferences
Location
Zurich, Switzerland
Can work on-site at your office in
  • and around Zurich (up to 50km)
  • and around Bern (up to 50km)
  • and around Winterthur (up to 50km)
  • and around Lucerne (up to 50km)
  • and around Basel (up to 50km)
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Verified email
Languages
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Skill set
Industry fields of expertise
Banking and Financial Services
Digital and IT Services
Digital Business Models
Telecommunications
Private Equity
Stefan F. in a few words

Digital Strategy, Innovation & Transformation | $4B+ Impact

As a global thought leader and creator of the UNITE Models, I help organizations unlock growth, drive transformation, and deliver measurable results-fast.

What I Deliver:

  • Future-Proof Strategy: Develop actionable roadmaps, business models, and innovation programs.
  • Venture Building: Launch and scale new business units, disruptive ventures, and digital products.
  • Digital Transformation: Align technology, culture, and business goals for maximum ROI.
  • Leadership & Execution: Support CxOs in high-stakes transformation and turnaround projects.
  • Turnaround: realign or restructure challenging initiatives and business units / divisions.

Why Clients Choose Me:

  • Proven Impact: Delivered $4B+ new revenue, 32% channel growth, and 5M+ new customers for Fortune 500s.
  • Global Experience: Led programs for Amazon, Google, IBM, BMW, Pfizer, UBS, Vodafone, and more.
  • Recognized Authority: Lead author of “How to Create Innovation” and the UNITE Models (adopted by 100,000+ professionals).
  • Academic & Thought Leadership: Lecturer at top universities; advisor to global organizations.

Sector Experience:

Banking & Financial Services | Pharma & Life Sciences | Retail | Technology | Automotive | Telecom | Consumer Goods | Startups

Core Competencies & Skills

✔ Digital Strategy ✔ Digital Transformation ✔ Innovation Management ✔ Strategy-Execution ✔ Project, Program & Portfolio Management ✔ Corporate Venture Building ✔ Business Model Innovation ✔ AI & Emerging Technologies ✔ Customer Experience Transformation ✔ Operating Model Transformation ✔ Interim Executive Leadership ✔ Organizational Change ✔ Go-To-Market (GTM)

# Let’s connect to drive your next breakthrough in innovation, transformation, or turnaround.

I very much look forward meeting you! 🚀
Experience
  • Defense-Tech scale-up at the intersection of AI, Robotics, and Industry 4.0
    Board Member with focus on AI Innovation & Scale Strategy
    DEFENSE & MILITARY
    January 2025 - Today (4 months)
    Defense-Tech scale-up at the forefront of autonomous cognitive systems, leveraging computer vision, AI, and ML to transform robotic process automation.
    • Advising on innovation, international scaling, and strategic go-to-market plans for AI-based industrial applications with key global accounts.
    • Supporting leadership with high-impact decision-making, positioning, and organizational development for hypergrowth (>100% p/a)."
    Innovation Product Development Leadership Governance Corporate strategy Commercial strategy Business plan Positioning strategy artificial intelligence Machine learning Marketing
  • Leading Asian Bank
    Chief Innovation Officer (Interim)
    BANKING & INSURANCE
    February 2024 - November 2024 (9 months)
    Led the setup of an Incubator, Accelerator, and Corporate VC arm for a leading Asian bank, building a core innovation team of 45+ people.
    • Developed the Innovation Target Operating Model (iTOM) and implemented it across the organization.
    • Established an end-to-end Incubator and Accelerator function, scaling it to nearly 50 people within 6 months.
    • Conducted deep customer research using Jobs to be Done (JTBD) methodology to identify unmet needs.
    • Launched 18 innovation initiatives, with 12 progressing to MVP stage.
    • Delivered innovation training programs to over 240 employees."
    Innovation Governance Portfolio Management Corporate strategy Leadership Incubation Design Thinking Customer Experience Acceleration Growth hacking artificial intelligence Strategic planning IT Strategy
  • Global AEC software leader
    Groupwide Innovation Portfolio Lead
    ARCHITECTURE & URBAN PLANNING
    November 2023 - June 2024 (7 months)
    Led the innovation and portfolio strategy for a global AEC software leader, enabling a €200M+ future revenue stream through bold transformation levers including CVC, Company Builder, and product rejuvenation.
    • Defined the foundational innovation strategy, including the Innovation Target Operating Model (iTOM), capability mapping, and strategic search fields.
    • Repositioned the Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) fund and launched a group-wide Company Builder to renew the aging portfolio and unlock long-term growth.
    • Enabled cross-brand synergies and introduced strategic mechanisms for building a scalable product and business model portfolio across the ecosystem."
    Ventures Innovation Digital Transformation Corporate strategy Governance IT Strategy Portfolio Management Customer Journey User Experience Design
Recommendations
Education
  • Driving Digital Strategy
    Harvard Business School
    2021
    Driving Digital Strategy
  • Master of Business Administration
    Henley Business School
    2012
    Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), General Management
  • Master of Enterprise Process Management
    HWZ University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration Zurich
    2009
    Master in Enterprise Process Management, Process Management
  • Master of International Management
    EDS International School of Management
    2005
    Master of International Management, Management, Strategy, Finance, Marketing, Communication
  • Major of Business Administration & Information Technology, IT, Programming, Program Management, Business processes, Business administration
    Gebhard-Müller school
    2002
    Major of Business Administration & Information Technology, IT, Programming, Program Management, Business processes, Business administration
Certifications
  • Driving Digital Strategy
    Harvard Business School
    2021
    Portfolio Management CIO Digital Transformation Corporate strategy Turnaround
  • Enterprise Architect
    Strategic Intelligence
    2020
    Enterprise Architecture Digital Transformation
  • Agile Culture & Leadership
    Michael Sahota
    2018
    Leadership Agile method Culture Change SAFe
  • Design Thinking
    Stanford University
    2017
    Innovation Design Thinking
  • Scaled Scrum Product Owner Certified (SSPOC)
    Scrum Alliance
    2014
    Leadership Program Management Agile method Project Management Technical project management SAFe
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
    Project Management Institute
    2008
    Program Management Project Management
  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
    Six Sigma Global Institute
    2008
    Lean management Process Management Quality Assurance Lean six sigma