Sergio Fernando Abad

Sergio Fernando Abad

Corporate Chief Information Officer (CIO) - IT and Innovation Director @ Regency Retail

About

🚀 Empowering Digital Transformations: A Glimpse Into My Career Journey 🌐 With over two decades of experience leading successful digital transformations, I have consistently driven innovation and efficiency across multiple industries. Recognized as one of Argentina's "Top 10 Best CIOs" by Mercado Magazine (Oct 2019), I’ve held key leadership roles including CIO, CTO, and Regional Director of Architecture and Engineering. My work is centered on aligning IT strategy with business objectives, implementing technologies that streamline operations, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. 🏆 Recently nominated for CIONET's 2024 Digital Leadership Awards (CDO of the Year) Formerly a Professor at UADE, I’ve also contributed to shaping the next generation of IT leaders. I’m passionate about collaborating with like-minded professionals to push the boundaries of what technology can achieve. Let’s connect to discuss how we can drive impactful digital transformation together!

Country

Panama

City

Panamá District

Industry

Financial Services

Skill

Innovation Management, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Business Process Management, inssurance, Banking, Cost Reduction, Operational Efficiency, SAP ERP, English, Leadership, Software Development, Agile Methodologies, Agile & Waterfall Methodologies, Scrum, Team Leadership, IT Service Management, Security, IT Strategy, Data Center, IT Management

Experience

Regency Retail

Corporate Chief Information Officer (CIO) - IT and Innovation Director

Regency Retail

LinkedIn
2025-1 - Present · 1 yr 9 mos

Panama City, Panamá, Panama

Regency Retail is a multinational leader in retail, specializing in the commercialization of iconic fashion and sports brands. With a strong presence in 14 countries, the company operates over 400 stores and employs more than 7,000 people. Its focus on global brands and continuous expansion positions it as a key driver of commerce in Latin America and the Caribbean. •Enhanced cybersecurity maturity, significantly reducing operational risk across all business units. •Transitioned BI into a Data Governance function, elevating data quality and enabling faster, insight-driven strategic decisions. •Redesigned the store support operating model, boosting efficiency and increasing frontline staff satisfaction. •Implemented Enterprise Architecture (TOGAF), aligning technology investments with business objectives and improving cost efficiency. •Transformed the Applications area into an Engineering function, adopting cloud-native components, DevSecOps practices, and modern software development standards to accelerate delivery and improve quality. •Launched the “IA First” strategy, embedding AI as a core driver of innovation, operational optimization, and future growth. •Negotiated group-wide vendor agreements, securing improved acquisition costs and maximizing value from strategic partners. •Created the group technology strategy, delivering a clear roadmap with defined pillars, measurable outcomes, and business alignment. •Led the “Fix the Basics” initiative (ITIL), standardizing IT operations to ensure stability, reliability, and scalability.

Sportline America Inc.

Regional Information Technology & Digital Transformation Director

Sportline America Inc.

LinkedIn
2025-1 - Present · 1 yr 9 mos

Panama City, Panamá, Panama

Sportline America is a leading sports retail chain in Latin America with a presence in over seven countries. We operate our own Nike, Under Armour, and Converse stores, as well as our proprietary Sportline, Kids, and Kicks brands, offering a unique proposition for athletes and sports enthusiasts. With a strong omnichannel strategy and a robust digital presence, we drive regional growth and redefine the shopping experience in the sector. •Strategic Transformation Architecture: Architected a holistic governance model by establishing an Architecture Committee, a regional PMO, and restructuring the IT function into a Business Partnership model. This framework was instrumental in executing the 3-year technology roadmap, optimizing the project portfolio, and ensuring full alignment of technology investment with corporate strategy. •Data Innovation & Monetization: Spearheaded the creation of the Data Science practice and implemented a modern data ecosystem, including a Data Lake and a CDP. This strategy transformed data into a core business asset, leveraging AI to enhance customer experience through personalization and to optimize critical commercial decisions. •Operational Excellence & Financial Discipline: Led high-impact projects including the implementation of RFID, the digital transformation of key logistics and procurement processes, and widespread automation via RPA. Concurrently, I instituted a new IT financial management model and consolidated strategic vendors, driving double-digit efficiencies and maximizing the return on technology investment (ROTI). •Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Enhancement: Played a key role in achieving the AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) certification and fortified the company's cybersecurity and compliance posture. I led the modernization of the Business Continuity (BCP) and Disaster Recovery (DRP) plans, ensuring the organization's operational resilience against all eventualities.

Banco Aliado

Head of Innovation & Digital Transformation

Banco Aliado

LinkedIn
2023-5 - 2025-1 · 1 yr 9 mos

Panamá, Panama

Banco Aliado, Panama's third-largest bank, boasts a robust global presence, serving high and mid-corporate segments across Panama and neighboring regions. Offering diverse financial solutions, including leasing and consumer loans, its subsidiaries expand services to encompass leasing, factoring, consumer loans, and comprehensive insurance solutions. • Strategic Leadership: Active member of the technology committee and strategy forum, leading the RFP process and selecting advanced technologies (RPA, chatbots, integration, BPM, electronic signatures). • Innovation & Digital Transformation: Led a data-driven company program, pioneered a paperless initiative, and championed agile methodologies. Enhanced the online banking system, optimized onboarding processes, and developed an application-centric program to elevate digital services. • Architecture & Technology: Established the architecture department, designed Fintech integrations, and directed the automation of 15 insurance product lines at Aliado Seguros, including planning for an automated motor insurance quoting system.

Millicom (Tigo)

Latam Engineering Director

Millicom (Tigo)

LinkedIn
2022-2 - 2023-5 · 1 yr 4 mos

Panama City, Panamá, Panama

Millicom Finance Services is a financial services arm of Millicom, a leading provider of cable and mobile services in Latin America. It offers a range of financial solutions, including mobile financial services, micro-insurance, and mobile money, to underserved and unbanked communities in emerging markets. With a presence in several countries, Millicom Finance Services is committed to driving financial inclusion and empowering individuals and businesses with access to financial services. • Successfully developed and implemented a new mobile lending platform within a 4-month timeframe. This resulted in a remarkable 40% increase in transaction volume, surpassing all business target • Collaborated with regional, local, and external stakeholders to productize solutions, demonstrating strong teamwork and communication skills. • Implemented an ALWAYSON and ALWAYSSECURE strategy by adopting devsecops and best-in-class methodologies, ensuring the platform's security and availability at all times. • Provided high-quality, standardized operational support at a low cost, contributing to the platform's overall efficiency and success.

UADE

Professor & Researcher

UADE

LinkedIn
2014-11 - 2022-5 · 7 yrs 7 mos

Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina

Universidad Argentina de la Empresa (UADE) is a private university located in Buenos Aires, Argentina, established in 1957. Its UADE Business School is recognized for its academic excellence and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in business, economics, finance, marketing, management, and law. The school has a strong focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership, preparing its graduates for successful careers in the business world. ACHIEVEMENTS • Conducted an in-company course on agility for team leaders in project management. • Published a paper on the future of work through RPA in the V Symposium on Management's ebook. • Served as an evaluator of final magister works, ensuring high-quality research and academic standards. • Conducted research on technology investments in Argentina, providing valuable insights for the industry. RESPONSIBILITIES • Evaluated master's theses (2017-2022) • Taught in the CIO, CCO, and MBA programs as a professor (2017-2022), including courses in project management and information technology • Mentored MBA students on their final theses and case studies (2016-2022) • Conducted research (2020-2022)

Danone

Information Technology Operations Manager

Danone

LinkedIn
2020-3 - 2022-2 · 2 yrs

Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Danone is a multinational food company with a diverse product portfolio, including dairy, water, and plant-based products. They operate in over 120 countries and are committed to sustainability and social responsibility. Danone values employee well-being and development and offers a dynamic career in the food and beverage industry. • Led the implementation of a new Quality Management System (QMS) for the water company, resulting in a 40% reduction in quality issues and improved compliance with regulatory standards. • Successfully integrated the SAP with existing logistics, warehousing, and production systems, ensuring seamless data flow and optimized operations. • Spearheaded the introduction of Internet of Things (IoT) technology into the halthcare production systems, resulting in a 10% increase in production capacity and improved quality control measures. • Led the implementation of agile methodologies in IT operations for the water company, resulting in a 20% increase in project delivery speed and improved collaboration among cross-functional teams.

Self-Employed

CIO & CTO Advisory

Self-Employed

2019-11 - 2022-2 · 2 yrs 4 mos

• Successfully implemented and supported IoT, TMS, WMS, and MES systems to improve overall operational efficiency and productivity. • Facilitated the adoption of agile practices across various business units, leading to increased collaboration and faster delivery of projects. • Provided guidance and coaching to teams on agile methodologies, resulting in improved project outcomes and increased stakeholder satisfaction.

Drogueria del Sud S.A

Chief Information Officer (CIO) - IT Director

Drogueria del Sud S.A

LinkedIn
2019-3 - 2019-11 · 9 mos

Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina

Drogueria del Sud is a top pharmaceutical firm in Argentina with 85+ years of experience. Its subsidiaries, Temis Lostalo and Flexilog, provide logistics and distribution services to the healthcare industry, offering a complete solution to customers. They are committed to innovation and quality to improve healthcare access and outcomes for patients. ACHIEVEMENTS • Successfully established Shared Service Centers for IT operations and delivery, optimizing the business processes for Drogueria del Sud, Temis Lostalo, and Flexilog resulting in a 20% increase in operational efficiency. • Spearheaded the creation of a new Ecommerce platform (B2B &B2C), enhancing the consumer experience and improving sales productivity by 30%. • Championed the adoption of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Advanced Analytics to optimize business intelligence and improve decision-making processes, resulting in a 15% reduction in operational costs. • Significantly improved security by executing a Cybersecurity program, outsourcing SOC (7x24), and implementing robust security measures, resulting in a 25% decrease in security breaches. • Successfully executed an ANYWHERE strategy by adopting cloud solutions (O365), defining the S/4Hana migration strategy, and delivering the application portfolio (OpenShift, TMS, and WMS) for the new 3PL company (Flexilog), resulting in a 40% reduction in IT infrastructure costs. • Provided high-quality, standardized, and cost-effective operational support, ensuring seamless and optimized business operations, resulting in a 20% increase in user satisfaction and adoption rates. RESPONSIBILITIES • Transformed Del Sud Group to be a “Data Driven Company”, while supplying strategic leadership and technical expertise to ensure running of IT services, systems, and applications. • Formulate and execute the IT Roadmap 2020 – 2025 • Administering annual IT budget to support and drive 3 companies • Direct all IT teams in delivering significant business value

Jose Cartellone Construcciones Civiles SA

Chief Information Officer (CIO) - IT Manager

Jose Cartellone Construcciones Civiles SA

LinkedIn
2018-4 - 2019-3 · 1 yr

Mendoza Province, Argentina

Cartellone Group is a leading Argentine construction company that specializes in large-scale civil engineering projects. Founded in 1914, it has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality projects across various sectors, including infrastructure, energy, and mining. The company has expanded internationally, with subsidiaries in Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia, Brasil, EL Salvador and Mexico. The Cartellone Group has a dedicated team of experts and uses innovative technology to ensure efficient project delivery. ACHIEVEMENTS • Successfully improved the Shared Service Centers supporting operations in Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Bolivia, and El Salvador, resulting in a 20% increase in operational efficiency. • Established a Center of Excellence on technology domains, specifically in application support, enhancing service quality by 40%. • Developed and implemented the Fleet Fuel Management System, reducing operational costs by 15% and mitigating risks. • Defined the IoT strategy and executed IoT projects, resulting in an increase in productivity and optimized resource allocation. • Strategized and implemented the “Group Dashboard,” providing one view of business performance across multiple dimensions and improving decision-making processes by 30%. • Successfully executed the PPP program for Vial Andes 7 (Toll System, website, CRM, cloud contact center), improving customer satisfaction. • Reduced costs by implementing a P2P automation system, O365 platform, and improving the MAN network, resulting in cost savings. RESPONSIBILITIES • Responsible for IT Helpdesk and Support operations for all the temporary union of companies • Evaluation of software and hardware tools for supporting business needs. • Liaising with business to explore developmental ideas & improve current processes while positioning business for long-term sustainable success. • Administering annual budget.

Supermayorista Vital

Chief Information Officer (CIO) - IT Manager

Supermayorista Vital

LinkedIn
2016-10 - 2018-3 · 1 yr 6 mos

Argentina

Supermayorista Vital is the leading wholesale retailer in Argentina, with over 35 years of experience in the industry. Founded in 1987, the company has grown to more than 2000 employees and operates 20 warehouses strategically located throughout the country, serving customers in every region. With a strong commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service, Vital has established itself as a trusted partner for businesses of all sizes, offering a wide range of products at competitive prices. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: • Led the implementation of an omnichannel strategy that improved the online and offline shopping experience for customers, resulting in a 30% increase in online sales and a 15% increase in store foot traffic. • Developed and executed a digital transformation roadmap (including S/4 Hanna) that streamlined business operations and enhanced the company's agility, resulting in a 25% increase in operational efficiency. • Implemented advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms to improve inventory management and reduce waste, resulting in a 20% reduction in inventory costs. • Successfully launched a loyalty program that improved customer retention and increased sales, resulting in a 10% increase in customer satisfaction and a 5% increase in revenue. • Strengthened the company's cybersecurity posture by implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity program, resulting in a 100% decrease in cybersecurity incidents. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: • Led the execution of IT projects and oversaw IT operations across all stores. • Proactively identified and resolved issues related to performance and program management, ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of services to meet business needs. • Maintained secure and stable systems, adhering to internal policies and regulatory guidelines to ensure compliance and minimize risk. • Managed the annual budget, effectively allocating resources to achieve business objectives and control costs

Education

UADE

UADE

LinkedIn

Master in Strategic Information Systems Management (CIO)

2014 - 2015 · 1 yr

MBA especializado en Tecnología

Universidad Tecnológica Nacional

Universidad Tecnológica Nacional

LinkedIn

Systems

1995 - 2002 · 7 yrs
UADE

UADE

LinkedIn

Strategy and Business in IT/IS

2014 - 2014
Universidad Tecnológica Nacional

Universidad Tecnológica Nacional

LinkedIn

Computer Systems Analysis

1995 - 2000 · 5 yrs

Sergio Fernando Abad's Contact Information

Email

******@***.com

Phone

(**) *** ****

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