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Mark Grippando
Head Of Information Technology at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana
Professional Background
Mark Grippando is a distinguished Information Technology Executive with over 20 years of rich experience in driving business performance through the effective planning and execution of comprehensive IT processes and functions. He is known for his exceptional strengths in collaboration, service delivery, IT transformations, and project management, having successfully balanced the technological and business needs of various organizations throughout his career.
Currently, Mark serves as the Head of Information Technology at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana. In this role, he is responsible for the strategic management and execution of IT initiatives that support the charity’s mission to provide comfort and care to children in medical need and their families. His effective leadership and innovative strategies have proven invaluable in enhancing the organization’s operational efficiency and technological capabilities.
Prior to joining Ronald McDonald House Charities, Mark gained extensive experience at Capgemini, where he held the position of IT Partner Executive Transformation Lead. He was pivotal in establishing and managing the strategy and vision for solution delivery across over 14,000 McDonald’s locations throughout the United States. His tenure at McDonald's also included directing all aspects of technology, supplier management, and service delivery, directly contributing to the restaurant giant’s technology integration efforts.
Mark has earned a reputation as a trusted and credible technology partner who consistently delivers viable solutions and tangible business benefits. His ability to foster technology innovation and adoption has been a hallmark of his illustrious career, making him a sought-after executive in the IT domain.
Education and Achievements
Mark's academic journey laid a solid foundation for his successful career in IT and business management. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy from the esteemed Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he honed his analytical skills and gained critical insights into business operations. Building on this strong foundation, he pursued a Master of Science in Computer Science at the same prestigious institution, equipping him with the necessary skills to excel in the rapidly evolving realm of information technology.
Some of the key highlights of Mark's career include:
- Leadership at Ronald McDonald House Charities: As Head of IT, he accelerated the implementation of innovative technology solutions that significantly improved service delivery and operational capabilities.
- Transformation Lead at Capgemini: Here, he played a key role in facilitating the integration of IT systems for McDonald's locations across the U.S., ensuring a seamless transition that enhanced technological efficacy.
- Supplier Management Excellence at McDonald's: Directed all aspects of IT procurement, supplier management, and service assurance, ensuring that the organization met its technological needs with the utmost efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Innovative Solutions Delivery in Previous Roles: His previous positions included Senior Director of Professional Services at Saba, Vice President of Operations at Catavo, and other roles at SumTotal Systems, Inc., and Oracle, each contributing to his extensive knowledge and expertise in IT service delivery and organizational change management.
Achievements
Mark Grippando’s contributions to the field of Information Technology are manifold and varied. His expertise encompasses a wide range of areas including project governance and management, IT procurement, supplier management, service delivery, organizational change management, and IT strategy development.
His focus on operational excellence and technology adoption has seen him lead numerous high-profile projects, which have consistently delivered value and driven business performance in organizations across different industries. He has excelled in implementing IT roadmaps and strategies that reinforce the alignment of technology initiatives with overarching business goals.
Additionally, Mark is recognized for his capabilities in managing organizational transformations and integrations, implementing ITIL frameworks, and addressing the complexities of digital, on-premise, and mobile applications in business settings. He maintains a strong emphasis on service-related strategic planning, continuously seeking innovative solutions that push the boundaries of technology and drive success.
Mark's collaborative nature also sets him apart; he has a unique ability to foster strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, enhancing client business development efforts and supporting the growth and development of the teams he leads. His commitment to service delivery and excellence in IT initiatives reflects his deep-seated passion for technology and its increasingly critical role in today’s business landscape.
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Clay works by automatically bringing together your contacts from various sources like email, calendar, address book, iOS Contacts, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and iMessage. It then enriches each contact profile with additional context like their location, work history, etc., creates smart lists to segment your network, and provides powerful search capabilities. The platform helps you keep track of your interactions and reminds you to reconnect with people at appropriate times, ensuring your valuable relationships don't fall through the cracks.
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Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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