Michael A. McDonnell
Founder, Apex Strategic Intelligence · Managing Director, Lucy Capital SPV · Board Director
Dallas, Texas
I help curious people and ambitious businesses leverage AI to create demonstrable value — because the next great chapter of the American Dream belongs to those willing to pick up the tool.
Board Value Creation Framework
How Michael McDonnell Creates Enterprise Value
Forty years converting commercial complexity into enterprise value — and exposure into resolved risk — across P&Ls from $100M to $6B+ in annual contract value, three emerging-technology cycles, and the most complex levels of enterprise negotiation.
For an executive at this level, a résumé records what has been done; a board search committee or institutional investor evaluates how value is created and protected. This framework sets out that case across four reinforcing capabilities — risk governance, technology governance, monetization, and capital stewardship — before the supporting career record that follows.
Boards do not retain Michael McDonnell to manage what is already working. They retain him to remediate what is at risk, to govern what is new, and to monetize what others cannot yet value.
Strategic Commercial Risk Governance
Identifies and remediates structural contract vulnerabilities before they become enterprise liabilities. Retained by the ATOS Board to remediate twelve challenged Americas agreements (+$100M net profit, complex arbitration resolved); led CSC’s “Fix 32” program; renegotiated a $250M platform contract; and built the deal-approval, pro-forma terms, and vendor risk frameworks that govern how risk is taken on in the first place.
Emerging Technology Governance
Governs AI, blockchain/DLT, and cybersecurity from oversight rather than hype — interrogating data sovereignty, regulatory exposure, and where durable value and liability actually sit. Founder of Apex Strategic Intelligence (AI / small language models); deep DLT expertise via advisory work with an original Ethereum founder; cybersecurity expansion as CRO of Eviden; GDPR-certified with DPO training.
Monetization & Value Creation
Converts innovation, experience, and emerging technology into revenue, intellectual property, and enterprise value — the through-line of the career. As CEO of IPaxess he was granted a U.S. patent for VoIP voice-latency management, subsequently acquired by Texas Instruments and integrated into Cisco IP-phone chipsets. He has advised on blockchain commercial monetization, built monetizable cybersecurity solutions at Eviden, structured payroll-deducted receivables into fixed-income product at Lucy Capital, and codified the discipline as Apex’s Transformational Monetization framework.
Capital & Shareholder-Value Stewardship
Fluent in both the operator’s and the investor’s language. Has carried full P&L accountability from $100M to $6B+ in annual contract value, delivered $100M+ in incremental annual net profit, managed public-market communications and multiple capital raises as a public-company CEO, and led M&A and restructuring including the client-disposition analysis behind the Atos/Eviden corporate split.
At a Glance
Governance & Value-Creation Credentials
- Commercial Risk & Contract Governance
- ATOS Board remediation of 12 agreements (+$100M); CSC “Fix 32”; $250M contract renegotiation; deal-approval and delegation-of-authority frameworks
- Emerging-Technology Governance
- Apex (AI / small language models); Ethereum-protocol advisory and blockchain monetization; Eviden cybersecurity expansion; GDPR / DPO
- Monetization & Value Creation
- Granted VoIP voice-latency patent (acquired by Texas Instruments → Cisco); Lucy Capital fixed-income structuring; Transformational Monetization framework
- Capital & Shareholder Value
- $6B+ TCV P&L; public-company CEO and capital raises; $100M+ incremental annual net profit; Atos/Eviden split disposition analysis
- Negotiation & Alliances
- $1.2B MetLife TPA (CSC’s largest); strategic alliances with Workday, HCL, ServiceNow, and IBM
Executive Profile
Michael McDonnell is the founder of Apex Strategic Intelligence and Managing Director of Lucy Capital SPV. A global executive with 40 years of transformational leadership — from billion-dollar deals to startup capital raises — he believes AI, longevity, and entrepreneurship are converging to create the next great chapter of the American Dream.
Proven record of delivering transformational commercial outcomes — from architecting $6B+ revenue practices at Accenture to closing a landmark $1.2B MetLife insurance TPA agreement at CSC/DXC. Engaged by Boards to remediate enterprise-level challenges, raise capital, build companies from zero, and create new revenue streams in emerging technology. Equally adept as a founder, operator, and C-suite advisor.
Brings rare breadth across commercial management, strategic negotiations, enterprise alliances, P&L stewardship, monetization, and emerging technology (AI, Blockchain/DLT, Cybersecurity). Ready to contribute as a Board Director, CRO, or CCO for growth-stage or transforming organizations.
Career Highlights & Quantified Impact
- Delivered $100M+ annual margin improvement at Accenture by building and leading a global Commercial Management Practice with 80+ executives overseeing $6B+ in annual TCV.
- Closed CSC/DXC’s largest-ever Insurance TPA engagement — a $1.2B MetLife transformation consolidating 26+ operating platforms.
- Engaged by ATOS Board of Directors to remediate 12 challenged Americas client agreements; improved net profitability by more than $100M and resolved complex arbitration, including disposition of the acquired Ferris Wheel asset from American Dream Mall.
- Appointed CRO / Head of Americas Sales at Eviden (Atos spinoff) with billion-dollar revenue responsibility spanning hyperscaler relationships and cybersecurity channel expansion.
- Negotiated landmark strategic alliances for CSC with Workday, HCL, ServiceNow, and IBM.
- Co-founded GTE’s CLEC (GTECC) as 1 of 5 strategic executives, launching a $1B business unit and building all indirect distribution channels.
- Founded and funded Arista Communications ($5M raised), executing 60+ exclusive D1 university marketing agreements.
- As CEO of IPaxess (public company), was granted a U.S. patent for VoIP voice-latency management — subsequently acquired by Texas Instruments and integrated into Cisco IP-phone chipsets; managed public-market communications and capital raises.
- Transformed Qwest Communications’ fragmented partner ecosystem into an integrated channel program delivering 200% aggregate growth while reducing headcount 40%.
- Remediated and renegotiated a $250M Digital Development Platform contract as an independent consultant; implemented a third-party vendor risk framework reducing IT annual spend by 10%.
Professional Experience
Founder · Apex Strategic Intelligence
2024 – Present
- Built Apex Strategic Intelligence as an advisory and venture studio focused on AI-driven value creation for SMBs and emerging enterprises.
- Advises founders, executives, and investors on applying small-language-model architectures to operational efficiency, revenue acceleration, and product innovation.
- Guides clients through the full AI adoption lifecycle — from strategy and use-case identification to implementation and measurable ROI.
Managing Director · Lucy Capital SPV
2024 – Present
- Leads investor strategy and product structuring for Lucy Capital SPV, the financing subsidiary providing family offices and private investors access to a diversified portfolio of senior-secured, payroll-deducted receivables.
- Developed short- and intermediate-duration investment structures designed for predictable yield, capital preservation, and alignment with employer-sponsored liquidity demand.
- Lucy Capital positioned as a differentiated fixed-income alternative at the intersection of fintech infrastructure and workforce financial wellness.
Advisor & Investor · Lucy Inc.
2024 – Present
- Served as strategic advisor and early investor during Lucy’s platform evolution from concept to payroll-embedded liquidity infrastructure.
- Guided capital formation, enterprise positioning, and commercial strategy as Lucy established a new category of employer-sponsored financial stability.
Lucy provides zero-interest, short-term liquidity repaid automatically through payroll deduction — replacing behavioral willpower with structural economic control. Designed to protect the nearly two-thirds of U.S. families living paycheck to paycheck from compounding debt, Lucy reframes affordability as a financial control system and restores upstream empowerment for employees and employers alike.
Chief Revenue Officer, Head of Americas Sales · Eviden (Atos Spinoff)
2022 – 2024
- Transitioned from Atos to newly formed Eviden following the announced corporate split; assumed CRO mandate with full P&L accountability for the Americas region.
- Managed hyperscaler strategic relationships and led development of the cybersecurity channel expansion program.
- Developed new monetizable solutions to accelerate revenue diversification for the cybersecurity and digital-services portfolio.
Executive Consultant — BoD Directive Engagement · ATOS
2020 – 2022
- Retained by the ATOS Board of Directors to address 12 problematic Americas client agreements; led and developed a dedicated remediation team.
- Achieved $100M+ net profit improvement through agreement remediation, renegotiation, and selective termination.
- Managed successful arbitration disposition, including recovery of acquired Ferris Wheel assets from the American Dream Mall agreement.
- Led Americas client disposition analysis in preparation for the announced Atos/Eviden corporate split.
CEO & Founder · Nex Gen Blockchain, Inc.
2020 – Present
- Conceptualized, raised pre-seed capital, and led development of a blockchain platform to monetize and support the growth of women’s professional soccer.
- Developed deep blockchain/DLT expertise through a significant advisory engagement with one of the original Ethereum founders on a next-generation protocol platform.
- Provided CCO and Board-level consulting on Blockchain/DLT commercial monetization for emerging protocol development firms.
- Delivered C-suite and Board advisory services including vendor/procurement optimization, contract remediation, GDPR risk mitigation, and blockchain commercial monetization.
- Remediated and renegotiated a $250M Digital Development Platform contract.
- Developed a Vendor Management Operations Manual and implemented a Third-Party Vendor Risk Assessment Process.
- Designed an IT third-party cost reduction program, achieving a 10% reduction in annual technology spend.
- Completed GDPR & DPO certification; developed a GDPR Business Risk Assessment for executive management.
Director, Strategic Global Negotiation Lead · CSC Corporation / DXC Technology
2014 – 2017
- Led CSC’s enterprise negotiation team for large, complex transformation pursuits (>$100M TCV) across Managed Services, BPO/BPS, ITO, and Cloud.
- Closed the largest Insurance TPA agreement in CSC history — a $1.2B MetLife transformation consolidating 26+ operating platforms.
- Negotiated strategic alliance agreements with HCL, Workday, ServiceNow, and IBM.
VP / Global MD, Contract & Commercial Management — GBS BU · CSC Corporation
2012 – 2014
- Built and scaled the global commercial practice for CSC’s Global Business Services BU (Consulting, Applications, Industry Software).
- Architected the Deal Approval process for large, complex global opportunities; developed Pro Forma T&Cs and a delegation-of-authority matrix.
- Led the “Fix 32” initiative — optimization, remediation, and termination of 32 challenged strategic agreements.
- Successfully negotiated $1.2B+ in Insurance BPS agreements within 18 months, including a flagship $1B BPS contract.
Global Executive Partner, Commercial Management · Accenture LLP
2005 – 2009
- Founded and led Accenture’s Commercial Director organization — 80+ executive staff, 5,000+ engagement personnel, $1B engagement P&L, $6B+ annual TCV.
- Integrated contract, finance, PMO, and resource management functions into a unified commercial operations model delivering $100M+ in annual incremental net profit.
- Developed the Commercial Operations Handbook (global best practices, processes, tools, and training) approved by the ELT.
- Co-created and facilitated “Commercial Essentials” — a three-day senior executive course delivered across North America and EALA to hundreds of partners and senior leaders.
- Led Accenture’s Best Buy Commercial Management team on their most complex global engagement spanning FAO, ITO, HRO, and E-Commerce transformation.
President, CEO & Founder · Arista Communications, Inc.
2002 – 2004
- Secured $5M in private funding to launch a university affinity channel marketing company for communications services.
- Negotiated 60+ exclusive marketing agreements with Division I Athletic Departments, funding sports programs through alumni/booster long-distance services.
- Scaled the company from 3 to 30 employees; launched business and residential product offerings.
Vice President, Business Partner Channel Programs · Qwest Communications, Inc.
2001 – 2002
- Consolidated fragmented partner, alliance, and SI channel programs into a unified integrated channel ecosystem (Agents, Resellers, Integrators, Distributors, Alliance Partners).
- Delivered 200% aggregate growth while reducing headcount by 40%; negotiated an outsourced sales/support/retention solution.
- Expanded remit to Operator Services, Public Access, and National DSL BUs — $750M annual revenue, $120M operating budget.
- Led analysis and disposition of retired BUs: Operator Services, Pay Phone, and Inmate Phone.
President & CEO · IPaxess, Inc. (formerly Data Race)
1999 – 2001
- Restructured and rebranded the public company, shifting R&D from hardware to IP remote access / VoIP software solutions.
- Was granted a U.S. patent for VoIP voice-latency management, subsequently acquired by Texas Instruments and integrated into Cisco IP-phone chipsets.
- Reduced monthly cash burn 40% through restructuring; managed public-market quarterly calls and multiple capital raises.
- Negotiated strategic testing agreements with Time Warner, Motorola, the U.S. Treasury, Bell Canada, and MCI.
Vice President & General Manager · GTE Communications, Inc. (GTECC)
1996 – 1999
- One of five executives who developed the strategic plan and launched GTECC, GTE’s billion-dollar CLEC business.
- Built a comprehensive indirect channel organization: VARs, outsourced shared-support agents, retail, and affinity markets — $100M initial revenue responsibility.
- Deployed the industry’s first outsourced sales support center to launch DSL and ISP businesses.
- Developed and implemented the first comprehensive data/voice converged VAR certification training program.
North American Director, Channel Sales & Marketing · NEC America
Prior – 1996
- Executed the first nationwide compute distribution agreement with Ingram Micro for key telephone systems and small PBXs.
- Closed the first-ever video distance-learning deployment with the State of Montana; delivered a statewide edge router solution for the Texas Health & Human Services Commission.
- Led NEC’s BSS converged data/voice distribution channel; pioneered the first converged VAR/Interconnect certification program.
Education
- Wharton School of Business
- Executive Program, Finance & Marketing · 1998
- San Diego State University
- B.A., Accounting & Political Science; Minor in Economics · 1978
Technology Expertise & Certifications
- Certifications
- GDPR Certified Assessment & Data Protection Officer (DPO) Training
- Technology Domains
- Blockchain / Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) · Ethereum Protocol · AI / Machine Learning · Cloud (ITO/BPS/BPO) · VoIP / IP Networking · Cybersecurity · Data Privacy
- Industry Expertise
- Insurance / Financial Services · Telecommunications · Technology Services · Professional Services · Healthcare (Benefits) · Retail / E-Commerce · Channel Sales & Marketing Development and Management
Board & Advisory Value Proposition
- Commercial risk governance — identifies and remediates structural contract vulnerabilities before they become enterprise liabilities.
- Startup-to-scale experience — across capital formation, go-to-market strategy, and channel ecosystem development.
- Proven P&L operator — global P&Ls from $100M to $6B+; fluent in finance, operations, and shareholder value creation.
- Emerging-technology acumen — Blockchain/DLT and AI expertise to advise boards on digital transformation strategy and governance.
- Monetization discipline — converts innovation, experience, and emerging technology into measurable revenue, intellectual property, and enterprise value.
- Consensus at the highest levels — builds alignment across senior stakeholders, investors, and alliance partners in the most complex negotiations.