Ron Kim is an accomplished CIO/CTO and digital advisor with 35+ years of experience leveraging technology to add value and innovation to business value chains. As an independent AI and tech advisor, Ron brings a unique perspective: he’s been a two-time Fortune 100 C-Level Tech Operator (CTO and CIO), a $120B Private Equity portfolio IT lead and a “Big 5” Consulting Partner/Managing Director. Ron has also led Cyber Security at multiple companies.
Ron’s business acumen, digital vision and “hands-on” depth with current technologies have enabled him to drive transformation across regulated industries such as energy grid tech and life sciences as well as in software, manufacturing, Cyber Security and professional services.
GLOBAL CTO OF FORTUNE 100 BIOPHARMA: SECURE AI/DATA/CLOUD
Ron served from 2020-25 as the Global Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President for Merck, an international biopharmaceutical leader with $65B+ in revenue. He took Generative/Agentic AI from concept to industrial strength and led Merck’s Data Strategy, DevOps and Company-Wide Enterprise Architecture including Cyber Security architecture. He also co-led Merck’s cloud transformation program.
Leveraging the secure AI/cloud foundation Ron drove at Merck, his teams collaborated with the business in surfacing hundreds of millions of dollars in value. This included AI in clinical discovery, deeper automation in manufacturing, innovation in human health marketing and faster cycle time in animal health. Ron navigated Merck through rapid tech change and “hype” to utilize digital technologies to improve business outcomes.
LEADERSHIP VERSATILITY: ENERGY GRID CIO, PE, CONSULTING
As CIO of the $18B Exelon Utilities, part of the Fortune 100 Exelon Corporation, Ron led technology in the Energy Grid space for the largest set of regulated energy utilities in the U.S. He led 24x7x365 energy delivery IT in the Chicago, Philadelphia and Baltimore metropolitan areas.
Ron was the IT & Cyber Security lead for Private Equity firm TPG’s 100+ company, $120B PE portfolio. For portfolio companies large and small he led and advised numerous digital efforts to accelerate their security, growth and scaling.
Ron developed deep consultative perspective from his 17 years with Accenture where he attained Partner/Managing Director level and was recognized Firm-wide as a global technology delivery expert. Ron advised numerous Fortune 500 companies in multiple industries.
EDUCATION
Ron received his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Michigan, and later received his MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.