Press Release

Chief Marketing Technologist of Verizon delivers keynote at Avasant CIO Digital Connect in DC

On Thursday, September 10th, Avasant hosted its flagship thought leadership event, Avasant CIO Digital Connect focusing on the theme of Driving Digital Innovation through Cloud Transformation. The event cosponsored by leading technology firms Google for Work and Tech Mahindra brought together C-suite executives from a broad range of industries for an interactive discussion around digital innovation, automation, and cloud transformation. This standing room only event featured talks from Janet Schijns, Chief Marketing Technologist of Verizon and from CXOs from various industries including Pharma, High-Tech, Telecom, Government, and Nonprofit. Kevin S. Parikh, Global CEO of Avasant moderated a panel discussing on how to architect a digital enterprise by leveraging cloud, mobility, analytics, and IoT. "It is fitting that we are at our nation's capital today discussing some of the most relevant topics for government technology and business transformation. Today's digital technology options are creating opportunities for government and corporations to be more nimble and better serve their constituents," said Kevin S. Parikh, Global CEO & Senior Partner, Avasant. This event highlighted the emergence of the digital economy and the critical need for companies to leverage cloud centric digital platforms to transform their business value chains. "A new ‘Digital World Order' has necessitated global businesses to constantly look for efficiency. Tech Mahindra is redefining productivity benchmarks including significant savings vis-à-vis legacy models," said Vivek Kalra, Senior Vice President, Tech Mahindra. Other distinguished speakers included: The Honorable Kumar Barve, Member, Maryland House of Delegates; Nese Demirdag, Manager of Cloud Platform, Google; Jay Ferro, CIO, American Cancer Society; Kimberly Hancher, CIO, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; Dustin Laun, Senior Advisor for Innovation & Technology, Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Dr. Subbu Murthy, CEO, uGovernIT; Augusto Penjasoff, Global Head of Innovation, AstraZeneca; G. Nagesh Rao, Chief Technologist, Small Business Administration (SBA); and John P. Skudlarek, Deputy CIO, FCC. About Google for Work The best of Google, now for work. As we, all move to the cloud, businesses deserve to have confidence in the reliability, security, privacy, transparency and compliance of this technology. Google for Work provides business tools that are as simple and dependable as those you use in everyday life. Our tools help you innovate work more effectively, and they are certified for their robust security and data protection capabilities. Google Drive for Work services provides a powerful, integrated suite of anytime, anywhere access to business email, online calendar, file storage, docs, video meetings, surveys and much more. Communicate, create, share and collaborate, from any device with ease. Learn more at www.google.com/work/ About Tech Mahindra Tech Mahindra represents the connected world, offering Consulting, Digital Transformation, Integrated Engineering, Business Services and Solutions, enabling Enterprises, Associates and the Society to RiseTM. We are a USD 3.8 billion company with 103,600+ professionals across 90 countries, helping 750+ global customers including several Fortune 500 companies. Our innovative services, platforms, products, solutions and reusable assets connect across a number of technologies to deliver tangible business value to our stakeholders. Tech Mahindra is winner of Forbes 2014 Asia Fab 50, Deloitte Tech Fast 50, and the CIO 100 among other awards. We are part of the USD 16.9 billion Mahindra Group that employs more than 200,000 people across 100 countries. The Mahindra Group operates in key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership. Connect with us on www.techmahindra.com About Avasant With its headquarters in Los Angeles, California, Avasant is a leading management-consulting firm providing digital transformation, sourcing advisory and governance services to Fortune 1000 clients around the globe. Our talented team of consultants, technologists and lawyers average over 20 years of industry-honed experience and have conducted 1,000+ engagements in over 40 countries worldwide. Avasant drives customer value through the use of its proprietary consulting and advisory methods, which have been refined over decades of real world transaction and engagement experience. The combination of world-class resources and cross-industry experience enables Avasant to yield superior business outcomes for its global clients across four primary domains: Digital, Business & IT Transformation, Strategic Sourcing, and Globalization Advisory. Learn more at www.avasant.com Follow news, photos and video from Avasant Connect at www.avasantconnect.com, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/avasant and using #avasantconnect, Facebook at www.facebook.com/avasantllc, and LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/avasant. For complete event details, please visit www.avasant.com/events. For further information and photos, contact: Jemie Sae Koo Vice President of Marketing Avasant jemie.saekoo@avasant.com