Tony Williams
CHIEF PRODUCT OWNER AND CAPABILITIES Leader
Executive of Data Strategy and Innovation
Global Head of Business Intelligence and Technology
About.
Digital Transformation and Product Leader
Driving Innovation and Operational Excellence through Data-Driven Solutions and Strategic Leadership
Strategically-oriented and innovative leader with a solid history of championing data-driven solutions to promote efficient operations, processes, and systems. Proven track record of managing geographically dispersed, cross-functional teams through project deployments that enhance sales and revenue streams. Offer comprehensive recommendations to drive competitive advantage, position organization for future-state goals, and comply with domestic and international operating regulations. Influential and collaborative leader; able to foster relationships across all levels of leadership, key stakeholders, and external industry leaders. Remain abreast of current and emerging information, technology, and industry trends.
About me
Board member for MindfulnessFirst non-profit, where we teach children and adults the practical skills and knowledge needed for lifelong mental health and wellbeing.
I live in Arizona, loves to cook, garden and spend time with family and friends.
My Passion
Actively participate in various affinity network groups in career coaching and mentorship programs (Women’s Network, Disabilities, Hispanic, Black Employee)
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Global Strategic Management
Business & Financial Planning
Business Architecture
Project Management
Vendor Management
Business Intelligence
Innovative Processes/Systems
Technology Plans & Roadmaps
Data Strategy / Transformation
Strategic Leadership and Innovation Achievements
Highlighting impactful contributions and recognition in technology, agile frameworks, and business solutions
- Regarded as Technology and Innovative Subject Matter Expert; partner across major business lines and operating functions to deliver scalable, top of the line business solutions.
- Introduced and matured Scaled Agile Framework and Business Capability & Architecture at General Motors and Schwab Bank.
- Implemented Modernized Advanced Lending Servicing Solutions at Schwab Bank.
- Champion strategic decision-making by demonstrating importance of continuous improvement through business intelligence analysis, return on investment evaluations, and customer experience enhancements.
- Frequently recognized for exceptional contributions to ongoing innovation, championing diversity, and excellence of leadership; GBS Leadership Excellence Award, two-time Chairman’s Award Recipient (Global Profitability & Online Information Services), two-time Walk the Talk Diversity Award, President’s Award (Global Data Warehouse & Reporting), Valuing Diversity Award, Innovation Award for Line Item Detail Delivery.
Scaled Programs.
AMEX: Global Commercial Payments: CPO, Strategic Capabilities
- Developed an in-house Prioritization Portal for organizing requests from global markets, and Scaled Agile Solution Roadmaps, PI Planning, etc.
- Created efficiency at scale by automating PowerPoint PMO presentations in partnership with Business Transformation Premium Partnership Management - 1B in spend Strategic Partnerships, Patent in vendor resource management.
Charles Schwab Bank
- Introduced Lean Agile to Schwab Bank and instituted into FIS contracts for migrations and on-going product development on core platforms.
- Created a PMO and prioritization process with monthly updates to the Bank CEO and officers.
- Managed Bank Platforms, Vendor Management, Business Transformation and Data Governance.
General Motors
- Created a One Team partnership with CDAO and IT and formed Scaled Agile Team to support a variety of products (EV, Data, Future Roads, etc.)
- Responsibilities included: PMO, Market Research, Strategy, and Data Product Management.
AFFILIATIONS
Mindfulness First Board member
August 2022 - Present
Business
Architecture Guild
Architecture Guild
Global Member
January 2019 – Present
Board of Directors
American Diabetes Board of Directors
January 2019 - Present
Chairman
American Diabetes Tour de Cure
Dec 2015 - Aug 2019
Digital Transformation Executive Portfolio
Seasoned executive leader currently working in Digital Transformation as Head of Data & Analytics to help drive business outcomes. I have over 25+ years of financial services experience and global team management. I am passionate about new challenges, collaborating and transforming.
Executive Profile
Proud to have worked with organizations that value and strive for exceptional customer service and leadership.
25+ year career as a passionate, innovative, servant leadership. With skillsets in various technical, business, risk and fin-tech verticals.
Proven experience in managing high-performance global teams.
Data
Capabilities:
Capabilities:
- From Data Insights, Cloud Migration to AI Governance, data is part of everything we do and see and I want to be fully integrated!
Business Transformation:
- Led a team responsible for the efficiency and effectiveness of bank functions.
- Developed and monitored processes to support regulatory work, oversight of procedures to ensure accuracy, support audit and exam data requests
Business Capabilities:
- Vendor Capability Management
- PMO Tools / Automation
- Payment Integration / ERP / EIPP
- Sales Incentives and Field Tools
- Efficiency & effiectiveness Models
- AI Power Automate for Business & RPA
Certifications and Expertise
Certified Business Architect:
- Managed Business Architects as part of American Express Strategic Marketing capability initiatives. Adopted & Trained Product Owners and Business Analysts at Schwab Bank.
Lean Agile Certified:
- Implemented Agile at Schwab Bank and was certified along with my team and IT partners.
- Rolled out Agile PMO at General Motors.
PMI and CDAO Certified:
- Certified with Project Management / PMI at American Express and completed my CDAO Carnegie Mellon certification with General Motors.
Current role in Digital Transformation
Enhancing Client Relationships and Data Utilization:
- Building stronger client relationships with increased Salesforce adoption and new household data algorithms.
- AI/ML for data cleansing and workflow auditing.
- AI/MI on bank wires.
Automation and Efficiency Improvements:
- RPA for time-saving updates to Banking Core systems.
- AI Partnership for improved customer experience with Chatbot and cost efficiencies in operations.
Data Governance and Integration:
- Data Capability and Data Governance Maturity Model Assessments, Tool Selections, and Champion.
- Data Architecture, Governance, Analytics, and replatforming for new growth.
- FIS migration of all data and reporting. Integrations and Banking As A Service.
education AND CERTIFICATIONS.
Master's in Global Management and ISM
University of Phoenix
Global Management and Information Systems Management
Global Leadership Executive
Arizona State University
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Leading Motivation and Developing Trust in Global Teams Executive Program
Bachelor of Science
Arizona State University
Computer Information Systems
Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems
Chief Data Officer
Scaled Agile Framework
Business Architect
Project Management
University of Phoenix
Master in Global Management and Information Systems Management
Arizona State University
Leading Motivation and Developing Trust in Global Teams Executive Program
Arizona State University
Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems
Carnegie Mellon University
Chief Data Officer Certificate
Scaled Agile
Scaled Agile Framework Certification
Business Architect Guild
Certified Business Architect
Project Management Institute
Certified Project Management Professional
PATENTS & INNOVATION
Experience.
Dec 2025 - Present
- Launched the first Enterprise Informatica Data Quality & Catalog Platform, AI Data Quality Agents, and Monthly Scorecards.
- Drove assessment discovery for MDM modernization and integration initiatives; finalized the strategy and negotiated contracts six months ahead of schedule, resulting in over $500K in savings (Customer, Product, and Supplier 360).
- Appointed Executive Data Product lead for the $9M, three-year Enterprise Data Platform modernization using Snowflake and Databricks, unlocking advanced insights and AI capabilities.
- Implemented new global data policies for Data Retention, Data Governance, Metadata, and Data Quality.
June 2024 - July 2025
- Head of Client Capabilities within Client Experience - Business Transformation. Responsible for ensuring the tools and capabilities such Client Portal, FIS Mobile, Project Management, CRM, Implementation Workflow Management are designed, built and utilized to meet the needs of the users. Manages Business Process and Data and Reporting teams and leads future forward initiatives by ensuring changes in market and business priorities including integration needs and technology advancements are reflected.
april 2023 – June 2024
- Established an enterprise data strategy supporting a broad range of data strategic initiatives and projects to drive alignment with the GM strategy. Architected a business value driven product roadmap while achieving platform operational excellence and optimizing business value by leveraging data assets internally and externally.
- Led the successful Core Processing migration for the BI Data Marts and Power BI Analytical Reporting
- Spearheaded sales enablement and cross sell digital data driven initiatives.
- Instituted Holistic Household Saleforce.com enablement to grow revenue and deposits.
- As Enterprise Data Governance Champion re-designed the council, program and objectives.
- Introduced new tools to enable self-discovery, governance and reporting (Data Catalog, Tableau, CRMA).
november 2021 – december 2022
- Established an enterprise data strategy supporting a broad range of data strategic initiatives and projects to drive alignment with the GM strategy. Architected a business value driven product roadmap while achieving platform operational excellence and optimizing business value by leveraging data assets internally and externally.
- Served as Vehicle Originated Chief Business Owner, Product and Program Management.
- Executed an Enterprise Data Layer Strategy along with Microsoft Azure Energy proof of concept and EVGro Program Taskforce, Strategy & Innovation Data Insights and Scaled Agile and Portfolio Management.
- Optimized Market and Competitive Intelligence capabilities,
- Led Risk Management and coordination of risk mitigation in partnership with Legal, IT, Privacy, etc.,
- Executive Sponsor for Data Analytics Steering Committee with Senior Leadership Team.
september 2019 – november 2021
- Execute banking platform, data governance, business intelligence, reporting, and process efficiency vision and strategy. Hold sphere of influence comprised of Product Management, Business Analysts, and Solutions Architects supporting banking systems and platforms. Manage enterprise IT Investment portfolio valued at $10M; serve as Agile Delivery Owner over major Digital and Data projects. Drive implementation of next generation banking platforms and digital solutions to meet current and future IT needs. Manage cross-functional project teams through completion and seamless integration of high-visibility, high impact initiatives. Build strategic alliances across key stakeholders and internal business lines.
- Serve as Bank Technology Business Owner, Bank Data Owner, and Head of Banking Trust Services (BTS) Data Governance Program.
- Executive Sponsor overseeing implementation of enterprise-wide Advanced Lending Solutions platform for Personal and Equity Loans business line.
- Conceive and launch digital solutions spanning mobile, alerts, and person-to-person payments.
- Promote continuous regulatory compliance amongst vendors and throughout technology implementations; verify regulatory reports and represent Bank at regulatory meetings.
- Hold accountability over introducing new BTS IT Investment Prioritization Process to create alignment between corporate strategic goals and investments.
- Manage vendor-provided solutions; negotiate contracts and confirm performance adheres to contract.
march 2015 – september 2019
- Promoted to executive role charged with managing strategic growth of internal data, reporting capabilities, and intelligence-based tools for GCP business line. Managed $10MM project portfolio. Closely collaborated with GCP stakeholders and internal teams to conceive, design, and deploy overall data solutions architecture, including best-in-class business intelligence tools. Drove utilization of metrics and analytics to position business line for further growth.
- Successfully delivered five key GCP 2016 strategic goals by migrating business line to Cornerstone.
- Oversaw deployment of global sales platform to enhance business unit productivity and streamline daily operations; 80% reduction in time calculations, reduced Sales & AD information request calls by 25%, and 40% delivery acceleration.
- Implemented cloud-based IBM Incentive Management Solution across US and Canadian locations.
- Positioned as Chief Product Owner for Strategic Analytics Global Environment and Incentive Compensation Management.
- Documented significant cost savings of $1M annually by migrating European and Japanese markets off high-cost and high-risk platforms.
december 2012 – february 2015
- Brought onboard to serve as the designated Business Unit Liaison for Enterprise Growth, GMS, GNS, ICSS, Digital Partnerships, GBS, and Technologies. Established TLM Change Management and Innovation Teams to enhance business unit support, while ensuring continuous enterprise compliance. Conducted expert-level risk assessment and due diligence. Presented key recommendations to resolve gaps in reporting and regulatory compliance.
- Spearheaded implementation of comprehensive third party lifecycle management processes and corresponding tools.
- Influential contributor towards consolidation of 10 AEMP Third Party Management global policies, risk memorandums, and escalation procedures to create unified standard operating procedures.
august 2012 – november 2012
- Sought out to conceive and implement clear strategic vision, direction, and plan for business unit and drive utilization of technology-based business solutions. Acted as business unit’s Chief Information Officer. Held executive oversight of business unit project portfolio encompassing AvCard Credit Card, Loyalty Program, Merchant Portal, AirPortfolio, MIS, Co-branded Cards, CRM, Order Tracking Systems, and Mobile Applications. Managed all aspects of project lifecycle; approved technology roadmaps, project benchmarks, while conducting executive due diligence and integrator responsibilities.
- ● Monitored supplier relationships and contracts; confirmed performance adhered with established service levels and quality controls.
september 2009 – august 2012
- Served in multifaceted role as Premium Partner Management Office Relationship Leader and Relationship Owner for multiple business lines, including Card Services & Insurance, New Partnerships, and Open Small Business Services Technology. Held significant strategic, financial, and operational accountability. Managed $1.9B operating budget and spend strategy. Oversaw geographically dispersed team responsible for US Consumer domains spanning AXPi, Membership Rewards, and Merchant Services. Set standardized processes and enterprise tools.
Timeline.
SENIOR DIRECTOR
FIS
PRODUCT CAPABILITIES, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
PHOENIX, AZ
Present
Vice president
Amerant Bank
Head of Data & Analytics, Chief Digital Transformation Office
Miami, FL
April 2023 – June 2024
Executive, Chief Data Strategist
General Motors
Chief Data & Analytics Office
Detroit, MI
November 2021 – December 2022
Managing Director
Charles Schwab Bank
Bank Platforms, Business Process Efficiency & Data Governance
Phoenix, AZ
September 2019 – November 2021
Director
American Express
Global Commercial Payments (GCP) Sales Field Tools & Incentive Compensation
Phoenix, AZ
March 2015 – September 2019
Vice President, Business Information Officer
World Fuel Services Corp, Inc.
Miami, FL
August 2012 – November 2012
Director Strategic Marketing Capabilities
American Express
US Consumer Card Group - Technologies
Phoenix, AZ
September 2009 – August 2012
Recommendations.
Albert Bor
I have been working with Tony over multiple years, and had a first row seat witnessing him through a great number of episodes and circumstances as he was leading the team.There is a significant deference between managers and leaders, i.e. people who can deliver projects vs leaders who can inspire their teams and influence other stakeholders by offering well-defined strategy and vision. Tony belongs to the leadership guild.Technology and/or business priorities shifts notwithstanding, Tony’s ability to anticipate directional changes and make critical decisions have had a tremendous positive impact on our organization.Scalability is another principle skill in Tony’s arsenal. Whether it’s a small project with a few weeks lifespan or a large one that requires multiple teams from different organizations located around the globe, Tony has always been on a top, leading end-to-end, from definition to delivery phases. Tony’s influence does not stop at work. He enjoys leadership roles at American Diabetes Association as well as other organizations, he is also the key organizer our sport activities such as a very popular business vs technology volleyball tournaments.As a heart of any gathering, he uniquely connects people and teams; coming to an office, it’s exciting to meet with Tony.Mr. Williams’ leadership, wisdom, and energy are immense assets to any organization.
Perry Garrison
Tony is a true professional. He has the perfect blend of Technical and Leadership skills. He is equally effective in the leadership of large projects or working with one individual on their personal growth and development. He is very comfortable interacting with all levels of the organization. Because of this, I think Tony would be an excellent addition to any organization.
Contact.
Let's get the conversation started! Explore opportunities and reach out if you're interested in collaborating or working together. I'd love to connect with you on potential projects or discuss how we can achieve success together!
