Mahendra Vora
ChairmanAscendum
Mahendra Vora
Mahendra Vora is a veteran entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience leading the growth of large, cutting-edge software initiatives. He has co-founded many hi-tech startups and orchestrated mergers with Fortune 500 IT companies. Some examples include; ICC (sold to Attachmate), Pioneer Systems (acquired by Unisys), SecureIT (sold to VeriSign) and Intelliseek (merged with Nielsen-Buzzmetrics). Vora has held senior executive positions at Fortune 500 IT firms and serves on the Board of Directors of many hi-tech companies. Mr. Vora has extensive experience in working with and developing Information Technology solutions from small start-up to multi-billion dollar organizations across the world. Over the past 2 decades, Mr. Vora has contributed significantly to the computer industry in developing and delivering strategies, architecture, and technologies that helped facilitate the transition to distributed and Internet-based computing.
Mr. Vora was the recipient of the 2000 “Entrepreneur Deal Maker of the Year” award from the Association for Corporate Growth and the finalist for the 2001 and 2002 “Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year” Award. In the past five years, Mr. Vora has appeared twice in the Inc. 500 list of America’s 500 fastest growing companies.
Mahendra holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics and Communications.
Kris Nair
President & Chief Executive OfficerAscendum
Kris Nair
Kris Nair has over two decades of rich experience in various industries and across multiple disciplines. Kris has held leadership roles in many successful Indian and international corporations.
In his career, he has led global business development, mergers and acquisitions, new business/practice initiatives, and corporate strategy. Kris was instrumental in driving the growth of three different IT companies during the last five years. An expert in corporate development, Kris has successfully managed many M&A deals in the software industry in India.
Kris founded a new software firm, Garnet Infosolutions, which is headquartered in Bangalore. Garnet has since merged with Ascendum. Before founding Garnet, Kris led the Indian operations of an IT services firm and served on the board of an Indian BPO company.
Kris is an Electrical Engineer and has completed various programs in Strategic Business Management at ABB Academy, Zurich, INSEAD and IIM, Ahmedabad. CII (Confederation of Indian Industry ) rated Kris among the top 10 young managers for the CII Young Managers Trophy 2000.
Mike Jones
Executive Vice President of FinanceAscendum USA
Mike Jones
Mike Jones is a seasoned financial executive who has led both large and small companies to top-and bottom-line growth. Mike spent over twenty years at Convergys Corporation where he held senior level finance roles for each of Convergys’3 business units as well as serving as Controller/Chief Accounting Office for the parent company. At Convergys Mike also gained extensive M & A experience, serving as an integration lead for two large acquisitions (each $600M+) and playing a lead role in selling Convergys’ billing business.
Mike recently spent 2 years as the CFO at Nationwide Energy Partners in Columbus where he transformed the company culture to significantly improve sales, operating and financial performance, employee satisfaction and the business’s reputation. And the trust and confidence that Mike engendered with NEP’s lender was instrumental to doubling NEP’s existing debt facility.
Mike received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Bowling Green State University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Applied Mathematics from Clemson University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Xavier University.
Mark Olszewski
Executive Vice PresidentGlobal Solutions Delivery
Mark Olszewski
Mark Olszewski is the Global Vice President of Solution Delivery for Ascendum. He has over two decades of experience driving business transformation programs and large scale customer conversion activities. Mark provided leadership as a Senior Manager in Accenture’s High Tech practice and was recognized annually as a “top 10%” contributor. He subsequently was identified in a Strategic Leadership succession program at Convergys and served as VP of Delivery at Convergys and at NetCracker (a subsidiary of NEC). Mark has led organizations ranging from $5M to $100M+. He is known for his commitment to quality, attention to detail, and innovative use of process, information, and technology. He has partnered to achieve success with boutique firms as well as Fortune 500 organizations including AT&T, Duke Energy, and T-Mobile USA. Mark’s global teams have achieved a 100% successful delivery track record through effective teaming and collaboration. His customers have won several industry awards for innovation and delivery excellence. Mark’s bias towards action and focus on delivering positive business cases provides for unique differentiation.
Mark graduated with honors from the University of Michigan with a degree Electrical Engineering.
Uday Kumar
Vice President- SalesAscendum USA
Uday Kumar
Uday Kumar is the Vice President of Sales for Ascendum Solutions. He has over 10 years’ experience in Technology Sales and has worked with leading firms including ABB, MphasiS and Karvy Financial. He has a proven track record in leveraging global sourcing and helping clients set up centers of technology execution. He is a leading voice in Sales 2.0 techniques and regularly participates in panels and conferences.
Uday has a good track record in scaling niche businesses across industry verticals to create significant enterprise value. He has built strategic initiatives with leading Fortune 500 firms. At Ascendum he is leading a team across North America that focuses on building phenomenal client relationships through innovation, excellence and industry leadership.
Uday is an Engineer in Electrical Engineering and winner of several awards in his career including Top Sales Person.