Babak Abbaschian

Babak Abbaschian has a diverse work experience spanning over several companies and roles. Babak currently serves as the Senior Director of Data Strategy and Analytics at Churchill Downs Incorporated, where they have implemented digital transformation initiatives and introduced AI/ML-based and data-driven practices. Babak has also formed and led the Data Strategy Organization, overseeing software development, data engineering, and data science and analytics.

Prior to this, Babak worked as the Chief Technology Officer at MyDailyPanel LLC, where they co-architected user-facing machine learning-based products and directed the product development lifecycle. Babak also built a competent technical team focused on growth and transparency. Before that, they held the position of Faculty Lecturer at Sullivan University from 2015 to 2018.

During their tenure as the Chief Technology Officer at RM Innovation, Babak was recognized with the Gift for Life Honor of Excellence at the 2015 ICON honors. Babak successfully delivered backlogged goals by introducing SMART concepts and KPIs and implemented a balanced reward and responsibility-based leadership approach. Babak also redefined the engineering strategy, introduced agile development, and focused on human capital and team values.

Babak's earlier work experience includes serving as an Instructor at the University of Louisville and holding the dual roles of Chief Technology Officer and Human Resources Consultant at Metra Institute. In these positions, they demonstrated their expertise in managing engineering and IT departments, implementing agile paradigms, improving workforce stability, and overseeing staffing and HR processes.

Babak began their career as a Project Manager and System Designer at Mahbang Tehran Inc., where they successfully finished stalled projects and redesigned project milestones and schedules. Babak also worked as a System Design Engineer, collaborating with operational colleagues to implement multiple systems.

Overall, Babak Abbaschian's work experience reflects their strong leadership skills, technical expertise, and ability to drive innovative and transformative initiatives.

Babak Abbaschian holds a Strategic Leadership degree from Gies College of Business - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with a focus on Business Administration and Management. Babak also has a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Computer Engineering from the University of Louisville. Additionally, they obtained a Master of Science (MS) in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering from Science and Research University in 2011, and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in the same field from the University of Tabriz in 2008. Prior to their higher education, they obtained a High School Diploma in Mathematics and Physics from the National Organization for Development of Exceptional Talents (Sampad). Abbaschian has further certifications, including one in Strategic Leadership from Gies College of Business - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2022, one in LaunchIt, Entrepreneur, Lean Startup, and Leadership from the University of Louisville in 2017, one in PIC Microcontrollers from the University of Tabriz in 2008, one in Internal Combustion Engines and ECU Basics from saipa in 2004, and one in the 8051 Microcontroller family from the University of Tabriz in 2003.