Rich Wanden

About Rich Wanden

You can’t refactor your legacy stack with yesterday’s thinking and expect tomorrow’s breakthroughs. AI isn’t a someday concept. It’s here. Yet only 4% of organizations feel ready to scale it. Why? Because legacy systems weren’t built for this—and most leaders are left choosing between slideware strategy or disconnected dev work. I work with CTOs, VPs, and Heads of Architecture who want more than plans—they want working product. It’s not that you’re behind. It’s that no one’s shown you how to take an AI vision all the way from strategy through to live, modernized software. Until now. Let the bottleneck persist, and here’s what happens: AI stays stuck in POC mode Engineers burn out on duct tape and spaghetti code Technical debt balloons Innovation slows Budgets drain with little to show for it This isn’t a tooling issue. It’s a transformation execution issue. Most firms pitch advisory decks or disconnected dev. I bring both together. Strategy you can act on Software that ships Platforms that scale—with AI built in from the core You wake up knowing your architecture is a launchpad. Your team’s aligned and shipping. Your AI roadmap is funded and in flight. That’s where I come in. I lead full-cycle modernization—strategy through delivery—for tech leaders who can’t afford another failed transformation. Ready to stop planning and start launching? DM me or check the Featured section to see how we can work together.

Experience

1. Chief Customer Success Officer and Chief Revenue Officer

   Accelerance

   Jan 2020 — Present · Charlotte, NC, US

   Accelerance is the premier global outsourcing advisor, specializing in delivering top-tier software development resources and professional consulting services. We\'ve cultivated the world\'s largest network of proven software development and systems integration providers through rigorous vetting and certification of the top 1% of firms across 40 countries.Our trusted advisors guide clients in developing and implementing optimal software outsourcing solutions through strategic planning, expert partner selection, and effective engagement management. By mitigating outsourcing risks, reducing costs, and accelerating time-to-market, we help clients achieve their desired business outcomes.As the Chief Revenue Officer, I\'m dedicated to exceeding customer expectations by ensuring we deliver on our promise of successful nearshore and offshore outsourcing. Our experienced team, coupled with a robust partner and delivery network, positions Accelerance as a leader in outsourcing advisory.We are at the forefront of leveraging emerging technologies, including AI, machine learning, LLMs, and SLMs, to enhance our clients\' software development initiatives and drive competitive advantage. Our expertise in these areas empowers us to identify innovative solutions, optimize development processes, and deliver exceptional results.Accelerance successfully delivers complex software projects by partnering with the best and most trusted suppliers in our network. Our rigorous selection process ensures that our clients benefit from world-class talent and expertise.

Education

• University of Auckland

  MPhil

  1994 — 1995

• AGSM @ UNSW Business School

  MBA

  2009

• Sophia University

  Asian Studies

  1995 — 1995

• Victoria University of Wellington

  BCA

  1988 — 1991

Skills

• Customer Relationship Management (Crm)
• Saas
• Government
• Project Management
• New Business Development
• Sap
• Leadership
• Pre-Sales
• Sharepoint
• Practice Management
• Product Lifecycle Management
• Start-Ups
• Strategy
• Recruiting
• Business Development
• Management Consulting
• Complex Sales
• Business Process
• Managed Services
• Bid Preparation
• Analysis
• IT Strategy
• Process Engineering
• Managerial Finance
• Strategic Planning
• Business Analysis
• Sap Bw
• Business Strategy
• Large Deals
• Business Process Improvement
• Bpo
• Service Delivery
• Erp
• Outsourcing
• Consulting
• Management
• Sales
• Solutions Marketing
• Program Management
• IT Service Management