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Ariana Smetana

Fractional Chief AI & Innovation Officer

Ariana is a visionary entrepreneur at the helm of a global technology advisory firm, blending traditional business acumen with a deep understanding of emerging digital solutions and trends. 

 

Her expertise in innovation management, design thinking and strategic leadership positions her as a key player in transforming how businesses approach operational efficiency with emerging technology, and its adaptation. 

 

With a robust background in digital transformation, business innovation, and AI /machine learning solutions, Ariana leads her team in bridging the technological divide, ensuring corporations are not merely digital participants, but industry pioneers.

Ariana Smetana

Ariana Smetana

 “Ignite innovative ideas and human-centric solutions - follow the Deming 85% Rule;

“The role of management is to change the process rather than badgering individuals to do better.”

Education

1992

UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB, CROATIA, FACULTY OF BUSINESS

B.S. Economics

2008

HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Interior Design

KELLOGG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

Northwestern University

Digital Transformation Certification

Experience

Since 2022

Accel IQ Digital

CEO & Founder

2018-2023

artVIA

CEO, Founder & Design Principal

1997-2007

Shell Chemicals, Shell USA

Manager, Credit & Control.

Desktop Planner,
Financial Representative,

Skills

Thinking Differently 

Innovation Development & Management

Leveraging Strategic Partnerships

STRATEGIZING FOR THE FUTURE

Ariana Smetana stands out as a conceptual creative thinker with a global perspective, consistently offering innovative plans for solving organizational problems.  Her deep understanding of the intricate connections within organizations enables her to be action-oriented and strategically ahead of the curve. 

With a keen strategic purview, Ariana excels in thinking ahead, anticipating potential challenges, and devising broad, effective strategies. She skillfully marshals both human and technological resources, aligning them purposefully to achieve organizational goals. 

 

This unique blend of foresight, creative problem-solving, and holistic solutions thinking underscores her exceptional ability to drive transformative change across various industries.

2021

Core Competency

Visionary

Ariana has excellent ability to foresee trends, anticipates challenges, and see opportunities to devise strategic solutions.

She possess a natural inclination to explore and be curious, actively seeking information in areas of specialization that lead to innovation.

Sagatious

Ariana is a consummate learner aiming to ensure that her thinking is sharp and effective in embarking on big projects.  She invests time in considering all aspects in projects, allowing for intelligent and efficient progression without backtracking.

Resourceful

Ariana's ability as an analytical and creative thinker, positions her to be adept at enabling sound solutions to complex organizational challenges. She aptly builds and leverages resources of a global network of advisors, technologists, and innovators

THE
NUMBERS

FINANCIAL IMPACT

$9M

Led growth programs impacting significant investments of over $9 million into market expansion initiatives.

COST REDUCTION

50%

Achieved a 20-50% reduction in space costs for clients through innovative design strategies and efficient space utilization.

CONTINENTS OUTREACH

4

Built a network of advisor partners and technologists across multiple continents, including the USA, Europe, Brazil, and Asia.

EXPERIENCE

25

Over the past 25 years, her experiences were forged working in corporate roles within Global Fortune 500 companies, and being an innovative leader and entrepreneur with expertise in digital transformation and design.  She created impactful results in various sectors in Energy, Transportation, Construction and Architecture & Design industries.

Testimonials

Happy Customers

What they're saying

We have worked together on development of an AI strategy roadmap for a commercial real estate developer and construction/engineering company. In this project we have evaluated the organizational processes, volume and complexity of the data, and assessed the systemic inefficiencies. We proposed the roadmap for digital transformation and organizational improvements of a stair-stepper path to ultimately using advanced technologies such as ML/AI to create operational efficiencies and increase productivity. We continue working with them on new process integrations and technology implementations.

Guilherme Rocha

Business Innovation

Beyond her deep vision on the impact of artificial intelligence in many businesses and the new business models that result from it, it is the leadership that Ariana showed that blew my mind. In the context of the pandemic, nothing went as planned, and Ariana proved to be an incredible partner to the entire Kellogg academic team and our international group, managing despite the distance to unite the group, and generate momentum to develop business projects. I truly believe that Ariana is an incredible asset to any organization!

Mélanie Hacquin-Borio

Transformation Director EMEA 

AYoshii management was exceptionally satisfied with the guidance and advisory provided in aligning stakeholders, resources, and the organization towards the next stages of business growth through innovation. We have learned where the most promising opportunities lie in evolving the organization, positioning employees for more critical thinking and strategic work with improved operational efficiencies, intelligent data analytics, and AI.

Leo Yoshii

CEO & President

Frameworks

Hire Your Fractional Executive

Thought Leadership

Innovation

Open Innovation Readiness Checklist.

Use this checklist to evaluate your organization readiness for Open Innovation.

Product Launch

 Discover How AI Revolutionizes Compliance

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Screenshot 2024-12-07 at 11.47.48 AM.png

Harnessing AI Automation for Corporate Resilience

Given today’s exponential speed and growth of AI solutions, it is critical for leaders to evaluate where their organization stands and where they need to be to stay resilient into the fast-approaching future.

Ariana Smetana

Welcome to a leaders series "A day in the life of a fractional executive". Our days are dynamic, filled with challenges, but ultimately rewarding when we see our strategies come to life and drive success for our clients.

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