Ciena

Vice President - Chief Digital Information Officer for Ciena, a $4+ billion network growth company focused on hardware, software, and services. Responsible for driving progressive digital transformation and business process re-engineering strategies across Ciena. Responsible for the IT, Architecture, Data & Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) functions.

Responsible for leading Ciena’s strategic planning process and enabling and implementing its corporate strategy. This includes driving differentiated growth through corporate development activities such as mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances and partnerships, and venture capital investments, as well as through the future incubation of emerging market solutions designed to optimize existing businesses or enter new markets. Lead the company’s sustainability and enterprise risk management programs, as well as the corporate real estate function. As Corporate Secretary, manage all aspects of engagement with Ciena’s Board of Directors.

Named CEO just before the unprecedented telecommunications industry downturn in 2001, was tasked with transforming Ciena from a company with a niche product line and concentrated customer base into a diversified global industry leader. Built on a foundation of "People First" values and a best-of-breed focus, Ciena has effectively disrupted the industry structure of established larger systems players, including successfully executing a large-scale integration with the acquisition of the Nortel MEN business in 2010. Consistent execution over many years of a very deliberate strategy - focused on Innovation, Diversification, and Global Scale - has positioned Ciena as #1 or #2 in nearly every market it serves with annual revenue in excess of ~$4 billion and industry-leading growth, profitability, and value creation. Ciena is now the recognized global technology leader in global high-speed connectivity, serving as the critical communications and AI infrastructure provider to the world's leading cloud providers, hyperscalers, service providers, and enterprises.

I'm responsible for strategic and financial management at Ciena, including financial integrity and SEC compliance, capital allocation strategies, tax, M&A and investor relations. I also oversee several critical support functions, including IT, internal audit and global business operations. Over the last several years as a member of the executive leadership team, I've helped successfully reorganize the company's "go-to-market" and R&D functions, and led functional transformations such as the re-implementation of our global ERP system. I also executed, along with the General Counsel and Chief Strategy Officer, the acquisition and integration of Nortel's optical business, which doubled the size of Ciena and created a market leader and strong global competitor. Further, I drove the company from breakeven to 11% operating margin in 5 years, and rebuilt the balance sheet following the high leverage created by M&A activity.