Many Roads Lead to Rome
Transformative Leader in AI-Driven Analytics and Digital Innovation; Committed to Strategic Growth, and Humanizing Data
About Kai Schulz
Early Beginnings and Education
I was blessed with opportunities that nurtured my entrepreneurial spirit from an early age. At just 13, I developed and sold my first software. This milestone highlighted my passion for technology and innovation, setting the stage for my future career.
Recognizing my potential, my parents supported my attendance at a prestigious boarding school in Germany, where my foundational knowledge in programming, technology, and business was further solidified.
I hold German AA/BS equivalent degrees in Information Technology and have pursued advanced studies, earning Master’s degrees in Computer Science and Business Administration. My educational journey reflects a commitment to lifelong learning, continuously expanding my expertise to stay at the forefront of technological advancements.
Professional Experience
With over 25 years of experience in diverse leadership roles across international markets, including at IBM, Siemens, Minolta, and Lexmark, I have a deep understanding of digital transformation and analytics. Throughout my career, I've driven impactful changes and delivered measurable results in companies of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises.
My journey includes founding and leading successful startups, where I honed my entrepreneurial skills and deepened my expertise in technology and business strategy. As the Director of Marketing Data & Digital Analytics at Upbound Group, I led a talented team leveraging digital data-driven strategies to enhance customer engagement and operational efficiencies. Before this, I served as the Customer Experience Analytics Manager at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, utilizing AI and ML technologies to create customer-centric solutions.
My professional experience spans digital transformation, e-commerce, data analytics, digital marketing, software development, cloud computing, and agile methodologies. I have hands-on experience with various programming languages, including C, PHP, Java, JavaScript, and Python, enabling me to spearhead innovative projects aligned with business goals and fostering growth. Throughout my career, I've remained dedicated to harnessing the power of technology to solve complex challenges and deliver value to stakeholders across companies of all sizes.
I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and expertise with others. I am available for engagements, including public speaking, 1:1 mentoring, advisory sessions, roundtables, panel discussions, and webinars. I cover topics such as customer journey mapping, connected user journeys, intent identification, multi-touch attribution (MTA), marketing mix modeling (MMM), and MarTech.
Let's connect and explore how we can achieve greatness together!
Skills
My skill set encompasses hard and soft skills that have driven successful outcomes throughout my career. On the technical side, I am an expert in digital transformation, advanced analytics, and AI/ML solutions, with hands-on experience in programming languages such as C, PHP, Java, JavaScript, and Python. My proficiency extends to cloud computing platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Oracle and data management tools such as Snowflake, Redshift, Big Query, and Databricks. I excel in data visualization and business intelligence using Tableau, Looker, PowerBI, and Sisense. Additionally, my expertise in project management, utilizing SAFe Agile, SCRUM, Jira, Confluence, and Miro, ensures the effective execution of strategic initiatives.
Complementing my technical abilities are my soft skills, including strong leadership and communication, which enable me to lead cross-functional teams and articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences. I am deeply customer-centric, focused on enhancing customer experiences and driving satisfaction through innovative solutions. My strategic business understanding allows me to align technical projects with broader business goals, while my problem-solving skills ensure I address challenges effectively. As a bilingual professional fluent in English and German, I can facilitate communication in diverse, international settings. This comprehensive skill set allows me to drive digital innovation, enhance operational efficiencies, and deliver value to stakeholders in various capacities.
Kai: "AI is in My Name" & Other Fun Facts
Music Made My Math Stronger
Music Made My Math Stronger
Music Made My Math Stronger
Apparently, that's what I told my parents when I asked to start playing the violin at age 7, though I can't recall saying it. Today, I'm convinced it helped.
I also dabble in guitar, albeit rather unsuccessfully. All in all, I love music and enjoy a variety of genres, from classical and 80's hits (with some 70's mixed in) to today's country and more.
I’m a Dog Person,
Music Made My Math Stronger
Music Made My Math Stronger
But I also have a cat,
Katsu, my 8-year-old Shiba Inu, is a bundle of fun and keeps my wife and me laughing nonstop. Thanks to him, I enjoy refreshing morning and evening walks through our community. He shares a hilariously love-hate, brotherly bond with Sky, my mischievous male cat. Life is never dull with these two!
So Much More...
Music Made My Math Stronger
So Much More...
At 11, my folks gifted me a Schneider CPC 464, launching my coding journey. Instead of gaming, I dove into programming. Selling software, winning contests, and building PCs set my career stage. Being a military kid, I've moved a ton—unpacking's practically my cardio! Now, I cherish nature and quality time with my wife (and daughters when around, who have careers of their own).