Rian Schmidt

Seasoned Technology Executive with a Proven Track Record

Professional Overview
Rian Schmidt is a versatile technology executive with over 20 years of experience driving innovation and leading high-performing teams. As the Chief Technology Officer at Rain the Growth Agency and Leavened, he is responsible for spearheading the strategic technology vision, overseeing software development, and ensuring the seamless integration of cutting-edge solutions to drive client success. Additionally, Rian serves as a Fractional CTO Consultant at Circinaut and as a Member of the Board of Advisors at SheScales, leveraging his expertise to guide companies through their digital transformation journeys.

Experience Summary

Current Roles
_Chief Technology Officer, Rain the Growth Agency (2020-02-01 to Present)_

• Providing strategic technology leadership and overseeing the development of innovative digital solutions for the agency's diverse client base

• Fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, ensuring the technology team delivers high-quality, scalable, and secure products

• Driving the integration of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to enhance the agency's service offerings and stay at the forefront of industry trends

_Chief Technology Officer, Leavened (2018-10-01 to Present)_

• Responsible for the overall technology strategy, architecture, and implementation for the SaaS platform

• Leading a talented team of engineers and developers to deliver feature-rich, user-friendly solutions that address the needs of the company's growing customer base

• Collaborating closely with the product and business teams to align technology initiatives with organizational goals and objectives

Career Progression
Rian's career has been marked by a steady ascent through the technology ranks, showcasing his ability to drive innovation and deliver results. Prior to his current roles, he served as the SVP Technology at Rain the Growth Agency, the Chief Technology Officer at Vadio, Inc., and the Head of Labs Technology at Zappos, a subsidiary of Amazon. In these positions, Rian demonstrated his prowess in leading large-scale technology transformations, optimizing operational efficiency, and fostering collaborative, high-performing teams.

Early in his career, Rian honed his skills as a Consultant and Director of Paid Search Marketing at The New York Times, where he leveraged his expertise in digital marketing to drive revenue growth and customer engagement. He also founded and led Fine Brand Media, Inc., a successful digital agency, further solidifying his reputation as a visionary leader in the technology and marketing domains.

Academic Background
Rian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he graduated with distinction and demonstrated a strong aptitude for innovative problem-solving.

Areas of Expertise

• Strategic technology leadership and digital transformation

• Software development and architecture

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning integration

• Agile project management and team building

• Operational optimization and process improvement

• Driving revenue growth and customer engagement through digital solutions

Professional Impact
Throughout his career, Rian has played a pivotal role in driving significant growth and innovation for the organizations he has served. Some of his notable achievements include:

• Spearheaded the development and implementation of a cutting-edge AI-powered marketing platform at Rain the Growth Agency, resulting in a 35% increase in client conversions

• Led the technology integration of Leavened's SaaS platform with various third-party applications, enabling seamless data sharing and a 25% improvement in user productivity

• Streamlined the technology infrastructure and development processes at Vadio, Inc., leading to a 40% reduction in operational costs and a 20% improvement in project delivery timelines

• Introduced innovative e-commerce and digital marketing strategies at Zappos that contributed to a 15% increase in online sales and customer engagement

Conclusion
Rian Schmidt is a seasoned technology executive with a proven track record of driving innovation, optimizing operations, and delivering tangible business results. His versatile expertise, combined with his visionary leadership and collaborative approach, positions him as a valuable asset to organizations seeking to leverage technology as a strategic competitive advantage. Rian's commitment to staying at the forefront of industry trends and his passion for empowering teams to achieve their full potential make him an exceptional technology leader.