Robert Wolfe, Ph.D.
Mentor Capitalist
Consulting/Advisory Career – Viscount Innovations 1984-present
Recent Board of Directors Positions
- Kaypok – A startup in social media analytics, joined BOD at the request of the funding group, MaRS Innovations. Helped guide the company through first steps of technology commercialization, pricing, licensing.
- CIPS Ontario – The Canadian Information Processing Society, a group that represents IT professionals and certifies them under an Act in the Ontario Legislature.
Strategy – Advise large and smaller companies on strategic paths to growth. Have written strategy plans for public company Boards of Directors, as well as provided strategic direction to smaller firms.
Business Creation – Worked with various teams to create new business in a combination of m&a, restructuring and management advice. Most recently have been working in the media space, including film, print media and music. All projects typically have a technology aspect.
Operations/Turnarounds – Provided wide-ranging advice to multiple clients, from start-ups to public companies in a range of areas to aid in efficiency, intelligent solutions to difficult problems, turnaround procedures and general operational advice. Worked with partners who provided advice – such as experienced CFO’s, sales and marketing experts and experts in various legal issues.
Mergers/Acquisitions – Advised clients on both buy and sell sides, often related to strategic advice. Involvement in seeking buyers/sellers, negotiation, pricing, valuation, and subsequent integration.
Corporate Career – IBM 1991-2001
Spent approximately 10 years in the IBM Software Group (SWG) in various upper management positions, mostly in roles that were viewed as problematic or difficult. Last 3-4 years were spent with responsibility for the annual strategy cycle in IBM’s $13B SWG and the creation of new businesses within SWG. Held responsibility for the process, writing the overall SWG strategy, as well as coordinating the strategies of each business unit. This was followed by writing the financial business plan for the SWG each year. Other responsibilities included product portfolio management, involvement in many mergers/acquisitions, and special projects including a) initial development of IBM’s partner programs, b) writing and early management of IBM’s eBusiness Framework (open standards and altered partnering and new product designs), and aid in the creation of IBM’s Pervasive Systems Unit (software for small devices). Provided executive contact with large customers and the sales closing process. Routinely visited lab sites and customers around the globe.
Academic Career – University of Toronto 1981-1991, 2004
2004 Adjunct Professor, Rotman School of Business, University of Toronto
1981-1991 Assistant Professor, Departments of Commerce and Economics, University of Toronto
1989-1990 Adjunct Professor, Schulich Business School, York University
1989 Adjunct Professor, University of Waterloo
Education
1981 Ph.D. Civil Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1978 MSc.Pl. University of Toronto
1976 B.A. (Hons) McGill University
1997 Certificate Strategic Leadership, Harvard University, Graduate School of Business
1995 Certificate Management of Technology, MIT, Sloan School of Business
