Bashir Ahmed

About Bashir Ahmed

A seasoned IT executive with years of experience leading high-performing teams in the Pharmaceuticals Industry. Proven track record of driving digital transformation, deploying innovative technologies, and delivering results. I’ve had the privilege of working on complex projects across diverse functions in a highly regulated environment, always with a focus on leveraging technology to solve real-world problems - Saving time in clinical trials and giving that time back to saving patients\' lives!CORE LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES:• R&D / Clinical Development IT Leadership• Enterprise Digital Transformation & Automation Strategy• GxP, Validation, 21 CFR Part 11, GAMP5 Frameworks• Clinical, Regulatory, Safety & Quality Systems (CTMS, eTMF, EDC, RIMS, PV, QMS)• Enterprise Data, Cloud & Analytics Modernization• Healthcare EMR/EHR/RWE data integration with internal EDC and data lake• AI/ML, Generative AI & Intelligent Automation in Regulated Environments• Vendor, CRO & SaaS Portfolio Governance• Executive Stakeholder Engagement & Roadmap Development• Large-Scale Program/Portfolio Management• Global Team Leadership & Operating Model Optimization• Enterprise IT Governance & Operating Models• IT Investment & Value Management• Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) & IT Risk Optimization• Portfolio & Resource Governance• Executive Decision Support & Governance Reporting• Technology Strategy Alignment to Business ObjectivesI am the Founder and CEO of Rapid Links Media, an innovative IT Digital Services company dedicated to transforming small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with cutting-edge AI Employees (Digital Workers - AI Agents). With over 28 years of experience in IT leadership and a passion for driving efficiency through technology, I have embarked on this entrepreneurial journey to empower SMBs to achieve greater return on their investments.

Experience

1. Isg Ls Program Delivery Director

   Cognizant

   Feb 2026 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

   Lead the implementation of AI agentic solutions to transform Clinical Development for a key partner at Cognizant. • Ensure rigorous governance and disciplined execution while transitioning AI from proof-of-concept to production. • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance data quality and accelerate research timelines.

Education

• New York University - Polytechnic School of Engineering

  Masters in Information Systems Engineering, Computer Science

  1999 — 2001

• Pace University

  DPS, Computer Science

  2003 — 2005

• The City College of New York

  BS, Biochemistry

  1991 — 1995

Skills

• Strategy
• Project Management
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• J2ee Web Services
• Biochemistry
• Ms Access
• Oracle Database
• Global Management
• Software Development Life Cycle (Sdlc)
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Business Process Improvement
• Data Warehouse Architecture
• Software Documentation
• Site Identification
• 21 Cfr Part 11
• Business Intelligence
• Computer System Validation
• Functional Management
• Quality Assurance
• Php
• Regulatory Submissions
• Pmp
• Leadership
• Investigator Vetting
• Visual Basic for Applications (Vba)
• Obiee
• Life Sciences
• Integration
• Clinical Trials
• Business Intelligence Tools
• Feasibilities
• Cognos
• Apmp
• Clinical Development
• Requirements Analysis
• Validation
• Management
• Process Automation
• Vendor Relationship Management
• IT Strategy