Duanne O'brien

I’m a scale-up CTO and technology executive with over two decades of experience building and scaling global SaaS platforms. I’ve led listed companies and high-growth technology organisations through international expansion, platform modernisation, and structural transformation. Earlier in my career, I specialised in large-scale enterprise integration — connecting complex systems across complex enterprises. The platforms I’ve designed and operated are used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide, including for global brands such as McDonald’s and Booking.com. Today, I advise boards and executive teams on AI strategy, agentic transformation, and the structural shifts required to remain competitive in a protocol-native world. “Classic” digital transformation — web, mobile, self-service, data lakes, API enablement — was the starting line. The next phase is agentic: AI-driven operating models, digital front doors defined by protocols (MCP, ACP and emerging standards), and systems designed for machine-to-machine commerce as much as human interaction. My focus is helping organisations: • Translate AI ambition into structural readiness • Align technology architecture with board-level strategy • Prepare platforms for agentic and protocol-native ecosystems • Build operating models that hold under scale and pressure Alongside advisory work, I serve on Customer Advisory Boards, mentor senior technology leaders, and speak on AI, SaaS scale, and digital transformation in the agentic era. I’m interested in working with boards and leadership teams who understand that transformation is no longer a project — it’s an operating condition. I'm also a regular public speaker and the founder/author of presentthread.xyz, where I capture what I've learnt and what I'm learning.