With a passion for technology, Ray is committed to helping organizations embrace the power of digital and thrive in an ever-evolving world. In his role as chief technology officer for Publicis Sapient, Ray spearheads transformational data-centered customer engagement solutions that help to solve clients’ most difficult challenges.
Working with global brands like Unilever, Mercedes-Benz, Staples and Kellogg, Ray and his team deploy revolutionary technologies to meet customer needs while delivering on business goals.
Ray’s experience includes 20-plus years in technology, spanning senior technology consulting in web and enterprise systems, strategic IT planning and industry leadership. Leveraging his experience and capabilities, Ray has trained and developed curriculums in a variety of technologies and Agile methodologies, and has led product incubation work for clients including Citibank, NFL, and MLB.
Prior to his role with Publicis Sapient, Ray held the position of global co-chief technology officer for SapientRazorfish where he managed strategic direction for its global technology practice across the Razorfish, Rosetta, Level, Nurun Quebec and Expicient brands.
Co-authoring “Converge “ with Bob Lord, chief digital officer, IBM, Ray shares his unique perspective on how businesses can thrive in this age of disruption and outlines solutions to complex business problems involving media, data, technology, and marketing.
Ray’s passion for technology sparked after writing his first program (on his Atari 800 no less), and it has continued to grow since. He appreciates the way technology merges the known and unknown and is fueled by the pace of the industry’s growth. He studied computer science and philosophy at Boston University but continues his education every day by immersing himself in the ever-evolving technology industry.
When not revolutionizing marketing technology and business strategy, Ray can be found enjoying the outdoors biking, skiing and hiking with his family. In 2007, he completed the challenging La Ruta de Los Conquistadors—largely considered the world’s toughest multi-stage mountain bike race spanning incredible elevations, treacherous jungle terrain and 20 microclimates across Costa Rica.
Economic uncertainty, the need to continually drive business value, and shifting ways of working and leveraging IT continue to reshape the CIO agenda as priorities shift mid-year.
Solutions Review’s Expert Insights Series is a collection of contributed articles written by industry experts in enterprise software categories. In this feature, Publicis Sapient Global CTO Ray Velez In times of economic uncertainty, businesses face several challenges. The impact of the pandemic coupled with trade tensions, and supply chain constraints, has created a haze of […]
The Great Resignation is losing steam, but companies can hardly be complacent when it comes to attracting and retaining employees. The most successful are upping compensation, widening training and offering plenty of career development opportunities.