Meet the Panel
Alex Ragland, VP, Customer Experience and Digital Innovation, RGP
Alex Ragland is Vice President, Customer Experience and Digital Innovation at RGP (NASDAQ: RGP). Alex is responsible for strategic vision, direction and implementation across multiple RGP business units and digital channels with specialties in business and experience strategy, emerging innovation, retail and ecommerce services. Most recently, he has focused on defining a unified transformation strategy for RGP and its subsidiaries. In addition, Alex participates in activities as it relates to expanding the service offerings and go to market strategy across the digital enterprise.
Brian Shield, SVP, Chief Technology Officer, Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Management
Brian Shield is the SVP, Chief Techology Officer of the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Management. He leads the technology team on all phases of the Red Sox IT strategy from creating a compelling digital fan experience at Fenway Park to enabling an effective front office and baseball operations environment.
Shield co-founded BostonCIO, is the national chairperson of Inspire-CIO, and was named ‘Georgia CIO of the Year’ in 2005, his work in digital media was recognized with a Technology ‘Emmy’ Award in 2006, and his leadership and commitment to Georgia’s business-technology community was recognized in 2012 when he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the GeorgiaCIO.
Prior to joining the Red Sox, Shield was the EVP and CIO of The Weather Channel where for 14 years he oversaw all technology, including weather.com, mobility, weather data systems and analytics, broadcast television and IT. Prior to joining The Weather Channel, Shield served as SVP and CIO of FTD, Inc. in Chicago, where he was responsible for IT including their global network reaching more than 125 countries. Preceding his tenure at FTD, he was CTO at Scudder Investments.
Shield completed his education at Bentley University in Waltham, MA where he majored in Computer Information Systems while minoring in Management and Accounting. He resides in Andover, MA with his wife and children.
Derek Barka, Chief Technology Officer, SilverTech
As the Chief Technology Officer for SilverTech, Derek leads the team that helps businesses create profitable relationships throughout the entire customer lifecycle - from lead to loyal, with a strategic combination of engaging web experiences, marketing strategies, and content management solutions. He has helped to create many of the tools that marketers use today to manage websites and digital marketing campaigns, as well as bridging the gap between upper management and the IT and marketing teams. Derek’s unique and unparalleled experiences allow him to work closely with clients to identify stakeholder requirements and technology needs.
Derek’s experience includes web development, software architecture, content management systems, inbound marketing, custom integration, web experience design, SharePoint, and mobile development. He holds certifications as a Kentico Developer, Kentico Marketer, Sitefinity Developer, and Sitecore Developer.
Samantha Kenney, VP, Global Marketing, Akumina
Samantha comes to Akumina from Bottomline Technologies where she was responsible for their global digital strategy. Her extensive background includes work at Silvertech where she managed a team of digital strategist and built out brand recognition for their largest clients.
From pioneering a non-profit, regional branding initiative to advancing corporate digital transformation on a global scale, Samantha’s ability to spearhead marketing plans and execute efficiently is inspired. She coaches her teams on finding the ‘why’ for customers and then crafts solutions that will help them reach their goals.
Samantha is an in-demand speaker on a national scale, providing custom workshops aimed at driving organizations forward in the digital space.