San Diego, California
Paul J. Gschwendtner
Senior Technology & Digital Transformation Leader
Certified AI Professional
What I Build
AI Agents, Apps and Websites, Built Hands-On
AI Agents and Tools
Agents and tools that take real work off people's plates, from quoting jobs to AI audits.
Claude Code · Claude Cowork · Claude API
Apps
Native iPad and iPhone apps for property inspections, an iOS app on the App Store, and a web app that scores home listings.
iOS · Web · Vercel
Websites
Websites for real estate agents, designed and built for lead generation.
Design · Build · Launch
About Me
Turning Complexity Into Measurable Impact
20+ years delivering end-to-end digital transformation across biotech, consumer electronics, and enterprise technology.
I specialize in turning internal complexity into customer-facing value through cross-functional alignment, smart automation, and a relentless focus on measurable outcomes.
At Illumina, I led the company's transformation from a hardware-only model to a scalable digital products business. That meant commercializing internal tools into SaaS and PaaS offerings, launching self-serve eCommerce with real-time activation, and integrating SAP, Salesforce, Zuora, and SnapLogic to automate the entire quote-to-live process.
More recently, I was tasked with assessing where AI could automate work across the business and within my own team. I built and executed an action plan centered on Microsoft Copilot, automating meeting documentation and follow-ups, reporting and data analysis, and repetitive administrative and communication tasks, while evaluating Claude, ChatGPT, and other leading AI platforms alongside Copilot to guide broader adoption.
Before Illumina, I held senior roles at Sony Electronics and GE, building B2B/B2C eCommerce platforms from scratch, leading large-scale system migrations, and managing cross-functional teams across high-impact IT and digital initiatives.
I hold a Harvard Graduate Certificate in Strategic Management and a B.S. in Management Information Systems from Penn State, along with multiple AI and technology certifications.
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AI-Driven Automation
Identifying where AI can remove manual work across a business, then building and executing action plans with Microsoft Copilot and other leading AI platforms to make it real.
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Digital Product Commercialization
Connecting pricing, packaging, and delivery into one seamless motion, turning technical infrastructure into customer-ready solutions that sell, renew, and scale.
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Cross-Functional Execution
Creating clarity early, aligning stakeholders, and maintaining momentum through delivery. Outcomes over ownership, even navigating legacy systems and shifting priorities.
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Systems Thinking
Designing workflows that anticipate handoffs and automate repetitive steps, creating sustainable solutions that reduce errors and accelerate delivery at scale.
Experience
20+ Years of Delivery
From startup-style launches to global enterprise transformations across biotech, consumer electronics, and industrial technology.
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Illumina
Senior Management
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Illumina
Manager – IT & Digital Platforms
Held multiple leadership roles including Technical Program Manager, Product Owner, System Owner, Lead Analyst, and Developer, across 20+ IT and cloud software projects in close collaboration with R&D and commercial teams to deliver cloud-based DNA analysis applications and commercialize Illumina's digital products.
- Partnered with Product Managers to deliver new and existing digital goods to end consumers
- Managed a team of analysts, developers, and consultants
- Empowered marketing and sales with enhanced analytics and reporting capabilities
- Enabled the eCommerce purchase and renewal of software
- Spearheaded the commercialization of 12+ SaaS and PaaS digital offerings
- Boosted software sales by 131% through the integration of software offerings with hardware instruments and consumables sales
- Achieved 20%+ eCommerce self-service adoption among existing software customers
- Launched Illumina's first cloud-based genomics analysis and storage platform
- Built the first eCommerce system with credit card and PO functionality and launched the global customer portal (MyIllumina)
- Led Zuora implementation as the primary platform for SaaS subscription billing
- Key QA Lead on a global SAP ERP rollout from Oracle JD Edwards; led ServiceNow implementation for ITSM and HRSD
- Independently designed and deployed a global visitor management system across 10 international sites
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Sony
eCommerce Manager
- Led process refinement for core business and IT teams managing Sony Electronics' eCommerce platform
- Delivered a scalable, modernized eCommerce infrastructure supporting increased transaction volumes
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Sony
Project Lead & Senior Analyst
- Won the Consumer Fulfillment Award for building Sony's B2C eCommerce platform, enabling direct-to-consumer sales for the first time
- Launched and led Sony's North America B2B eCommerce platform as system lead analyst
- Managed eProcurement punchout integrations with Disney and CBS; led a smooth data center migration
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GE
Business Systems Analyst
- Led IT enhancement project supporting ~$500M in potential savings via a new wheel sheet specification program
- Facilitated eServices supporting GE Transportation maintenance and repair operations
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GE
Systems & Support Analyst
- Provided technical support for system-critical applications across 12,000 users in 45+ field sites (US, Canada, Mexico)
- Wrote SQL scripts for Oracle DB updates; served as PM and lead IT owner on multiple web-based application enhancements
Skills & Certifications
Core Expertise
A blend of strategic leadership and hands-on technical depth across enterprise systems, digital commerce, and AI.
- Digital Transformation
- SaaS Commercialization
- Process Automation
- Enterprise Systems (SAP · SFDC · Zuora)
- eCommerce Platforms
- AI & Generative AI
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Product & Program Leadership
- Business Process Improvement
- Data & Systems Integration
- Stakeholder Management
- Team Leadership & Mentoring
Licenses & Certifications
- AI Professional Certificate
- Generative AI Leader
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Artificial Intelligence Practitioner
Anthropic
- AI Fluency Framework & Foundations
- Anthropic Claude 101
Microsoft
- AI Agents & Azure AI
- Building AI Agents & Workflows for Regulated Organizations
- Microsoft Copilot, Generative AI with Office 365
Vanderbilt University
- Prompt Engineering for AI
- Advanced Data Analysis
- Generative AI: Working with Large Language Models
- LinkedIn's AI Academy
Illumina
- Software Life Cycle Management Certified
- HIPAA Certified
FutureMoney
- Cryptocurrency Certified
Education
Academic Background
Business strategy + technology foundations from two institutions with a track record of academic excellence.
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Harvard University
Graduate Certificate in Strategic Management
Core focus on Technology Leadership · Maintained a 3.7/4.0 GPA while working full-time
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The Pennsylvania State University
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Management Information Systems (MIS)
Computer Science with Core Business, Finance, Management and Analysis · Dean's List · Co-founder & President of campus Computer & Technology MIS Club
Recognition
Honors & Awards
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Consumer Fulfillment Award
Sony Electronics · 2009
Awarded the organization's Consumer Fulfillment Award for playing a critical role in building B2C and B2B eCommerce platforms that enabled Sony to sell products direct to consumers for the first time.
Giving Back
Volunteer Experience
Community involvement across housing, hunger relief, youth education, and peer mentorship.
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Habitat for Humanity International
HopeBuilder
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Feeding America San Diego
Volunteer
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Junior Achievement of San Diego County
Volunteer
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Penn State University
Peer Mentor
Endorsements
What Colleagues Say
Direct feedback from managers, teammates, and peers.
Paul was an excellent resource as a project manager on the E-Commerce technology team I managed. Although I was his skip-level manager I recall how impressed we were with his work ethic as well as how quickly he transitioned into the role and add value to a seasoned team. I liked his energy and passion for the company and his thirst to gain more skills and aid in some of our toughest times during that period - He is a great talent.
Paul is a very capable and personable individual who is a leader. He became president of the MIS club on campus and revitalized the club by actively increasing membership and reaching out to the community to become involved with the club. Paul is able to work independently and digs deep to find answers on his own. I highly recommend Paul.
Contact
Let's Connect
If you're navigating a complex digital transformation, scaling software offerings, or driving operational efficiency for measurable impact, I'd love to connect.