Kwabena Okrah, Developer in Frederick, United States
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Kwabena Okrah

Verified Expert  in Engineering

Enterprise Architect and Developer

Location
Frederick, United States
Toptal Member Since
March 3, 2023

Kwabena has 17+ years of service operations functional expertise and technology domain experience. He has consistently focused on driving operational excellence and revenue growth through innovation and process improvement based on robust enterprise architecture practices and frameworks and a human-centered design process. Kwabena has successfully led the end-to-end implementation of 10 enterprise resource planning tools.

Portfolio

Freelance Clients
Azure, AWS IoT, Google Cloud, Enterprise Architecture, Business Architecture...
Sodexo
Azure, AWS IoT, Google Cloud, Enterprise Architecture, Business Architecture...
Infosys
Azure, AWS IoT, Google Cloud, Enterprise Architecture, Business Architecture...

Experience

Availability

Full-time

Preferred Environment

Azure, Google Cloud, Enterprise Business Architecture, Leadership, System Architecture, Business Architecture, Data Architecture, Strategy Development, AWS IoT

The most amazing...

...projects I've led involved the successful end-to-end implementation of 10 enterprise resource planning tools.

Work Experience

CTO and CIO – Enterprise Architecture Practice

2020 - PRESENT
Freelance Clients
  • Acted as an independent consultant to multiple AI and ML-focused tech startups.
  • Deployed an enterprise architecture practice to guide and accelerate the client's technology forward by leading transformative work like business process redesign and collaborating towards achieving a shared multi-year goal.
  • Initiated, championed, and governed digital platform-centric delivery strategies, scaling the use of strategic platforms to deliver new business strategies and capabilities.
  • Cultivated technical expertise to champion and enable learning, adoption, re-skill, and re-use across digital platforms with a focus on scale-ready technologies and approaches, such as DevSecOps, platform-centric delivery, and cloud-native systems.
  • Established practices, processes, and platforms working horizontally across digital applications to govern and operationalize new technologies and enable their broad and effective use.
Technologies: Azure, AWS IoT, Google Cloud, Enterprise Architecture, Business Architecture, Enterprise Business Architecture, Strategy, IT Strategy, Roadmaps, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), IT Project Management, Node.js, Architecture, Solution Architecture, SCADA, Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA), SnapLogic, Workday, Oracle DBA, Integration, Oracle, C++, Android Studio, Xcode, Management, Leadership, System Architecture, Data Architecture, Operational Excellence, Strategy Development, Education, K-12 Education, Higher Education, React, Amazon Web Services (AWS), React Native, Project Management, Mobile, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Requirements Analysis, Consulting, Mobile Development, iOS, WiFi Integration, Telecommunications, APIs, SaaS, Technical Leadership, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, Natural Language Processing (NLP), CTO

SVP of Enterprise Architecture and Business Transformation and CTO for Sodexo-LIVE!

2017 - 2020
Sodexo
  • Managed eight direct reports: engineering, operations technology, HR, supply chain, Legal, FP&A, communications, and health and safety.
  • Oversaw the digital transformation for hospitality and integrated facilities management services for business across Sodexo's North American region (US and Canada), covering 44% of the organization's $5.2 billion revenue.
  • Responded to disruptive forces by helping business leaders identify and seize opportunities by educating and coaching them on how to use the best practices from TOGAF, EA3, and Zachman.
  • Deployed future-state business digital capabilities that, in turn, drove the organization's targeted business outcomes through the choice of technology initiatives the organization chose to invest in.
  • Created, published, and maintained a technology strategy map expressing how IT aligns with the business strategy.
  • Handled enterprise architecture practice by planning, designing, innovating, orchestrating, facilitating, navigating, and operationalizing the digital enterprise to deliver services for business across Sodexo's North American region.
  • Utilized mobile UI/UX to build 300+ consumer-facing products and platforms for mobile apps with high performance, availability, and high scalability.
  • Executed an employee development transformation initiative to deploy HRIS and drive continuous career growth for 230 non-union and 60,000 union employees with a P&L of $2.3 billion and a gross profit of 20% through career development.
  • Deployed Sodexo-LIVE!, a digitalized customer experience powered by an eCommerce platform fully integrated into Sodexo's CMMS, WMS, CRM, HRIS, and IWM systems.
  • Drove ESG compliance and achieved ISO certification, validating a robust enterprise architecture practice aligned with the UN's SDGs 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13.
Technologies: Azure, AWS IoT, Google Cloud, Enterprise Architecture, Business Architecture, Enterprise Business Architecture, Strategy, IT Strategy, Roadmaps, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Management Consulting, IT Project Management, Node.js, Architecture, Solution Architecture, SCADA, Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA), SnapLogic, Workday, Oracle DBA, Integration, Oracle, C++, Android Studio, Xcode, Management, Leadership, System Architecture, Data Architecture, Operational Excellence, Strategy Development, Education, K-12 Education, Higher Education, React, Amazon Web Services (AWS), React Native, Project Management, Mobile, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Requirements Analysis, Consulting, Mobile Development, iOS, WiFi Integration, Telecommunications, APIs, SaaS, Technical Leadership, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, Natural Language Processing (NLP), CTO

Principal Chief Enterprise Architect

2016 - 2017
Infosys
  • Implemented an enterprise architecture practice based on TOGAF principles to plan, build, deploy, and manage innovative ad-hoc solar energy e-mobility solutions and associated remote monitoring systems.
  • Helped clients develop capabilities around risk management, contractual agreements, quality control, cost-effectiveness, and investment optimization as a driver for sustainability.
  • Improved profitability for client service operations (CIO – internal facing with business process focus) and product innovation organizations (CTO – external facing with product focus) by driving the cohesive execution of strategies.
  • Supported Agile delivery model transition, consulting and educating on transformational topics such as consumer-first API strategies, service decomposition, feature grooming, delivery cadence, monitoring and telemetry, information security, and risk.
  • Led the end-to-end SDLC process to design, develop, deploy, and maintain 500+ complementing mobile apps using modern software development methodologies. I was able to dive deep and rapidly iterate on ideas despite ambiguity.
  • Adopted a security-first design that embeds robust authentication, hardened infrastructure, and resilient connectivity across cloud and data center environments.
  • Constructed a Center of Excellence and deployed an IWMS as part of the cost-reduction strategy to help a major utility company to install a governance framework for new capabilities.
  • Managed a $12 billion asset base using the Agile methodology, decreasing full-time equivalent (FTE) by about 25% and increasing profit margins from 2% to 5% over the next five years.
Technologies: Azure, AWS IoT, Google Cloud, Enterprise Architecture, Business Architecture, Enterprise Business Architecture, Strategy, IT Strategy, Roadmaps, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Management Consulting, IT Project Management, Architecture, Solution Architecture, SCADA, Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA), SnapLogic, Workday, Oracle DBA, Integration, Oracle, C++, Android Studio, Xcode, Node.js, Management, Leadership, System Architecture, Data Architecture, Operational Excellence, Strategy Development, Education, K-12 Education, Higher Education, React, Amazon Web Services (AWS), React Native, Project Management, Mobile, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Requirements Analysis, Consulting, Mobile Development, iOS, WiFi Integration, Telecommunications, APIs, SaaS, Technical Leadership, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, Natural Language Processing (NLP), CTO

Chief Architect – Enterprise Architecture Practice

2013 - 2016
Orgone Development
  • Reported to the client's CTO and CIO and led a team of 15 with a P&L of $23 million to provide technical advisory services to US investors as utilities enterprise resource planning (ERP) and local subject matter expert (SME).
  • Served as operations expert during the due diligence process and established a business case to renew target utilities OpCo by implementing operational technology such as CIS, CRM, ITAM, GIS, SCADA, EMS, DMS, OMS, and DERMS based on TOGAF principles.
  • Developed a variety of assessment and authorization deliverables, including SSPs, FIPS 199 categorization, privacy impact analysis (PIA), incident response plan (IRP), and configuration management plan (CMP).
  • Documented and implemented applicable security controls in the system security plans (SSPs) aligned with organizational policies, NIST SP 800-18 and NIST SP 800-34.
Technologies: Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA), SnapLogic, Workday, Oracle DBA, Integration, Oracle, SCADA, Solution Architecture, Architecture, C++, Android Studio, Node.js, IT Strategy, Management, Leadership, System Architecture, Data Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, Operational Excellence, Strategy Development, Enterprise Business Architecture, AWS IoT, Google Cloud, Azure, Education, K-12 Education, Higher Education, React, Amazon Web Services (AWS), React Native, Project Management, Mobile, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Requirements Analysis, Consulting, Mobile Development, iOS, WiFi Integration, Telecommunications, APIs, SaaS, Technical Leadership, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, Natural Language Processing (NLP), CTO

Director – Enterprise Architecture (Operations & Performance Improvement)

2011 - 2013
UMS Group Inc.
  • Reported to the client's CTO and CIO to oversee a $12 million P&L and governed a team of eight.
  • Utilized hands-on experience, objective data, and best practices to redesign, plan, implement, and govern an enterprise information technology architecture to enhance operations and improve the performance of electric and gas utilities.
  • Created robust system frameworks for senior leadership of electric and gas utilities to facilitate the optimization of capital investment and information technology asset management processes by benchmarking against best practices.
  • Made enhancement of electric utilities' capabilities to protect their bulk power system against cyber-security compromises that could lead to misoperation or instability.
  • Achieved this by developing and executing an enterprise-level strategy to systematically increase the utilities' workforce's understanding of the technical security requirements for CIP Version 5.
  • Developed a self-sustainable capability to meet the expectations the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) set forth for its compliance and enforcement.
  • Developed robust frameworks for senior leadership of electric and gas utilities to facilitate the optimization of their investments while mitigating system risk through the methodical assessment of their organizations' asset management processes.
  • Benchmarked against best practices from the guidelines dictated by PAS 55, ISO 55001, and the best-in-class utilities in the industry to identify gaps and provide practical recommendations on what enabling technologies to implement.
  • Performed benchmarks on groups of utilities around the globe (Australia, Europe, Canada, United States) to measure the level of competence or maturity on their ability to analyze big data to draw business insights.
  • Developed strategies to help close identified shortfalls of organizations to include the establishment of an in-house team, dedicated to operational analytics to support objective investment decisions.
Technologies: Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), SnapLogic, Workday, Oracle DBA, Integration, Oracle, SCADA, Solution Architecture, Architecture, C++, Android Studio, Leadership, Data Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, Operational Excellence, Strategy Development, Enterprise Business Architecture, AWS IoT, Google Cloud, Azure, Education, Higher Education, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Project Management, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Requirements Analysis, Consulting, Mobile Development, iOS, WiFi Integration, Telecommunications, APIs, SaaS, Technical Leadership, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, Natural Language Processing (NLP), CTO

Applications Engineering – Enterprise Architecture Design

2006 - 2011
FirstEnergy
  • Reported to the SVP of information technology and oversaw a $100 million budget for detailed engineering evaluation and maintenance of the company's operational technologies.
  • Supported an advanced distribution management system (ADMS) implementation through the entire software development lifecycle (SDLC), including design and build activities, system integration, and testing.
  • Accelerated the developer community by evolving the technology delivery process from end-to-end, including consistent configurations and tooling, embedded risk assessment, and security governance.
  • Deployed enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to facilitate the effective management of a multi-million-dollar budget for detailed engineering evaluation of company assets.
  • Used granular data from SAP report. Developed customized dashboards to display leading and lagging metrics to aid C-suite executives in tracking and managing the KPI scorecard to minimize the variance between the budget and actual spending.
Technologies: Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), SnapLogic, Workday, Oracle DBA, Integration, Oracle, SCADA, Solution Architecture, Architecture, C++, Android Studio, Leadership, Data Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, Operational Excellence, Strategy Development, Enterprise Business Architecture, Azure, Education, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Project Management, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Requirements Analysis, Consulting, Mobile Development, iOS, WiFi Integration, Telecommunications, APIs, SaaS, Technical Leadership, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, Natural Language Processing (NLP), CTO

Systems Engineer – Enterprise Architecture (Infrastructure)

2006 - 2006
Turner Construction Company
  • Reported to the Director of Special Projects and coordinated subcontractors for the construction of homeland security mission-critical projects. Prepared purchase orders, schedules, and service contracts.
  • Prepared and assisted in the preparation of reports and presentations required for communicating findings of the security control assessments.
  • Conducted reviews of vulnerability assessment reports on networks, servers, websites, and databases using Tenable Nessus, Trustwave DbProtect, or QualysGuard.
  • Completed projects on time and within budget, serving as the primary client interface to ensure high satisfaction. Performed analysis of assessment results and made holistic as well as programmatic recommendations.
Technologies: Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA), SnapLogic, Workday, Oracle DBA, Integration, Oracle, SCADA, Solution Architecture, Architecture, C++, Android Studio, Leadership, Data Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, Operational Excellence, Strategy Development, Enterprise Business Architecture, Education, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Project Management, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Requirements Analysis, Consulting, Mobile Development, iOS, WiFi Integration, Telecommunications, APIs, SaaS, Technical Leadership, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, Natural Language Processing (NLP), CTO

System Engineering and Design

2005 - 2005
Exelon Corporation
  • Provided system engineering services to design, build, and implement changes to a computer system architecture to perform load flow analysis and evaluate voltage profiles of electronic circuits.
  • Developed technical knowledge and understanding of the company's organizational standards and systems architecture to make recommendations about potential solutions.
  • Demonstrated expertise in development/engineering, architecture, and design, with deep knowledge in building and designing large-scale utilities network management systems (NMS).
Technologies: Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), SnapLogic, Workday, Oracle DBA, Integration, Oracle, SCADA, Solution Architecture, Architecture, C++, Android Studio, Leadership, Data Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, Operational Excellence, Strategy Development, Enterprise Business Architecture, Education, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Project Management, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Requirements Analysis, Consulting, Mobile Development, iOS, WiFi Integration, Telecommunications, APIs, SaaS, Technical Leadership, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, Natural Language Processing (NLP), CTO

ERP Implementation

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kg8a1xthyudml97/Kwabena_Okrah_ERP_Accomplishments.pdf?dl=0
In my role at Sodexo, I built comprehensive short- and long-term technology roadmaps for Sodexo-LIVE!, a venue and eCommerce platform that brings people together by creating exceptional moments and lasting memories. To this purpose, I consulted with CEOs of segment and market verticals like schools, independent schools, universities, hospitals, senior living, corporate services, sports and leisure, energy and resources, and airlines and lounges across North America.

I then served as the CTO of Sodexo-LIVE!, working closely with our technology vendors, solution engineers, and product managers across these market segments to define system architecture, design user journeys, and optimize resources. I built innovative solutions that incorporate logistics management, warehouse and supplies management, Internet of Things (IoT), virtual and augmented reality, metaverse, e-mobility or e-charging, remote monitoring, smart building technologies, and venue management to enhance the client experience in our warehouses, cafeterias, real-estate facilities, and event venues.

Implementation of Operational Technology (ADMS, SCADA, EMS, EDMS)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/a5tyftwwc0qghmz/Kwabena_Okrah_OT_EAM.pdf?dl=0
Brought an emerging operational technology to life for a major electric and gas utility company in North America. I provided leadership in the successful deployment of Oracle's Utilities Network Management System (Oracle NMS).

The NMS integrates an advanced distribution management system, energy management system, distributed energy management system (DERMS), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), information technology asset management (ITAM) system, computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), warehouse management systems (WMS), customer relationship management (CRM) systems, human resources information systems (HRIS) and integrated work management (IWM) that utilize complex data architecture frameworks based on best practices from The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF).

CTO for Artificial Intelligence Startup

https://alirtify.com/
As the voice for the Alirtify Technical Transformation team, my mission was to deploy an enterprise architecture practice based on TOGAF principles to guide and accelerate Alirtify's technology forward by leading transformative work like new product development, go-to-market strategies, digitization initiatives, organizational effectiveness, business process redesign, and enterprise architecture to collaborate towards achieving a shared multi-year goal.

I initiated, championed, and governed digital platform-centric delivery strategy, scaling the use of strategic platforms to deliver new business strategies and capabilities. Also, I cultivated technical expertise to champion and enable learning, adoption, re-skill, and reuse across digital platforms, focusing on scale-ready technologies and approaches, such as DevSecOps, platform-centric delivery, and cloud-native approaches. Further, I partnered with the data lab to identify and scale target innovations and technologies. Established practices, processes, and platforms, working horizontally across digital to govern and operationalize new technologies to enable their broad and effective use.

Frameworks

React Native

Libraries/APIs

React, Node.js

Tools

SnapLogic, Xcode, Android Studio

Paradigms

Management, Requirements Analysis, Mobile Development, Automation

Platforms

Azure, AWS IoT, Oracle, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Mobile, iOS

Storage

Google Cloud, Oracle DBA

Industry Expertise

Project Management, Telecommunications

Other

Strategy Development, Operational Excellence, Enterprise Architecture, Data Architecture, Business Architecture, System Architecture, Leadership, Enterprise Business Architecture, Strategy, IT Strategy, Roadmaps, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Management Consulting, IT Project Management, Architecture, Solution Architecture, SCADA, Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA), Integration, Workday, Education, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Consulting, WiFi Integration, APIs, SaaS, Technical Leadership, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Natural Language Processing (NLP), CTO

Languages

C++

2011 - 2013

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Operations Management

Columbia Business School - New York City, New York, USA

2010 - 2010

Certification in Operations Management

Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore, Maryland, USA

2007 - 2009

Master's Degree in Systems Engineering

University of Maryland - College Park, Maryland, USA

2001 - 2005

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering

Morgan State University - Baltimore, Maryland, USA

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