Bala Guntipalli ♦ MBA

Bala Guntipalli has a diverse work experience spanning over 20 years. Bala began their career as a Senior IT Consultant, working for clients such as CUNA Mutual Group and Accenture. During this time, they developed API programs to extract and integrate data from various communication and collaboration applications into ERP HR applications. Bala also played a role in designing, building, and administering AIX servers.

After this, Bala joined IBM as an Enterprise Workflow Applications Architect. In this role, they led strategic development sessions with IBM Sales and Marketing executives and developed implementation processes to update and manage data from legacy systems. Bala also collaborated with a select group of veteran IBM engineers to bridge the gap between millennial engineers and legacy systems, using tools such as Notes/Domino, Java, and Siebel CRM.

Bala then ventured into entrepreneurship, founding BalVision Antiques and BalVision Direct Imports LTD. As the Founder and Director, they scouted, purchased, marketed, and sold antiques, furniture, and artifacts.

Bala later joined Cox Enterprises as an Enterprise QA Lead, where they developed quality assurance strategies and led teams in testing and maintaining quality across a range of products. These products were accessed by auto dealers across the USA and a public-facing site, AutoTrader.com.

Bala also held various roles at Singular Technology Group LLC. As a Senior Director, they served as a client partner and provided technical and business advisory services for clients such as Cox Media Group and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Bala also developed strategic partnerships and successfully saved costs for healthcare clients.

At Cox Media Group, Bala led high-powered teams and integrated services using automation and performance tools, technologies, and APIs. Bala played a significant role in delivering news and advertising to over 52 million Americans weekly.

Prior to their current position as a Nonprofit Servant-Leader, President, and Chief Customer Success Officer at Affnetz.com, Bala worked at TechVelocityPartners.com. Here, they held the roles of Senior Vice President for Product and Operations, and Vice President for Delivery and Operations. Bala worked closely with clients in the Education and Healthcare industries, developing self-managing teams and creating new revenue-generating channels. Bala also managed agile product engineering, strategy, and cybersecurity programs.

Throughout their career, Bala has showcased their expertise in strategy, operations, management consulting, customer success, and leadership, making significant contributions to the organizations they have worked for.

Bala Guntipalli has a diverse educational background with a focus on business administration and information technology. In 1990, Bala received a D-Pharm degree from Government Junior College. In 1993, Bala obtained a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Nizam College in Hyderabad. Bala went on to complete a year-long intense course in Information Technology at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in 1996.

In 2002, Bala enrolled at the University of Phoenix and earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a specialization in Business Administration and General Management. Bala continued studying at the University of Phoenix and obtained a second MBA degree with a specialization in Information Technology and Human Resources Management, which was completed from 2011 to 2013.

In 2012, Bala attended the University of St. Thomas and earned a Mini MBA degree with a focus on Healthcare IT Administration. Bala then furthered their education at Harvard University from 2017 to 2018, where they completed coursework in Cybersecurity, specifically on managing risk in the information age. The coursework at Harvard focused on identifying and protecting an organization's critical business systems, networks, and data.

In addition to their formal education, Bala has obtained several certifications in the field of cybersecurity and IT management. In 1998, they became a Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) through Microsoft Corporation. In 2000, Bala obtained the IBM Certified System Administrator - Lotus Notes and Domino certification from IBM Corporation. Additionally, Bala has certifications in Cybersecurity (IT Governance and Management) from Cybrary, obtained in August 2017, and in Security Assessment & Testing, also obtained from Cybrary in July 2017. Bala is also a Certified ScrumMaster® through the Scrum Alliance, with certification obtained in January 2016.