Kamales Lardi

Lardi & Partner Consulting

Lardi & Partner Consulting GmbH is an experienced partner in digital business transformation. We enable organizations to transform traditional customer experiences, business models and, processes and operations to meet the needs of the digital economy. Based on practical experience, we help companies drive digital transformation initiatives, from strategy to execution. We also develop robust business use cases, proof of concepts and integration plan for technology application - blockchain, artificial intelligence, AR/VR, internet of things, 3D printing, robotics, sensor / wearables, social media among others.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Kamales is a dynamic and seasoned digital strategist with over 24 years of specialized expertise in strategy development, business optimization, and technology implementation. As a sought-after speaker, she captivates audiences by translating her extensive advisory experience into actionable insights and compelling narratives that resonate with professionals across industries. Her engaging delivery and profound understanding of digital transformation equip organizations to navigate complex challenges and drive substantial growth. With Kamales on the stage, attendees are not only inspired but equipped with practical tools and strategies to excel in an ever-evolving business landscape. Invite Kamales to speak and experience firsthand how her visionary perspectives can invigorate your event and empower your audience.

Core speaking topics:
• The End of Business As Usual: Navigating Disruption In Business
• Digital Transformation, From Strategy To Execution
• The Psychology of Digital Transformation – successfully managing the human side technology implementation
• Visionary Customer Journey
• Weapons of Mass Disruption: The Impact of Emerging technologies 
• Transformation Leader – Traits of Future Organizational Leadership
• Diversity of Thought In Technology 

Bookings possible directly or through:
https://kamaleslardi.com/

Keynote speaker

Forbes Business Council

Forbes Councils is an invitation-only organization where top executives and entrepreneurs.

Thought leader on Forbes Business Council

Forbes Business Council is an invitation-only community for business leaders. Members are respected leaders and executives who are selected for the council based on the depth and diversity of experience in leadership, management, customer engagement, technology & growth. Kamales Lardi has been appointed as the first-ever Forbes Business Council Women Executives Chair.

Chair, Forbes Business Council Women Executives

World Innovation and Change Management Institute

Board Member of the Technology and Data Committee of the World Innovation and Change Management Institute (WICMI), Geneva. The institute aims to be a catalyst for change by providing a global forum accessible by organisations and individuals managing sustainable and responsible change.

Board Member

World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF)

The World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF), an affiliated partner of the G20 Global
Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), an international organisation aiming to ease access to finance for businesses from start up to scale up, with the ultimate goal of generating more jobs and more social justice worldwide. It is committed to collaborating globally to empower world economic development by creating innovative financial instruments for innovators, startups, and SMEs.

The Forum interacts with leaders in all areas of society, first and foremost in business and political spheres, to help assess needs and establish goals, bearing in mind that the public interest is of paramount importance. We engage a wide range of institutions, both public and private, local and international, commercial and academic to help shape the global agenda.

We hold that, with the participation of individuals and institutions from multiple sectors and from all parts of society, real progress can be achieved.

Senator of the G20 - World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF), representing Switzerland

G100: Mission Million

G100 is an empowered group of 100 women leaders from across the world, in 100 wings
and sectors, supported by G100 eminent He for She champions, and 100 country clubs
in each wing for powerful advocacy, awareness & impact across governments and global
organisations for a gender equal future.
100 Women. 100 Men. 100 Wings. 100 Country Clubs. Impacting Millions.

Switzerland Country Chair G100 Manufacturing Multinational & Supply Chain

auticon Switzerland

Auticon Switzerland works with companies that want to create a neurodiverse work environment by offering integration and technology solutions that benefit from their autistic experience.

Advisory Board Member

EquityPitcher Ventures

EquityPitcher is an early-growth venture capital firm that supports promising startups from the DACH region. Through close cooperation with renowned industry experts, investors and exit partners, we pave the way for entrepreneurs to achieve the three decisive success factors: capital, know-how and network.

Advisor

Valtech

Valtech is a global technology agency with a +5000 employees in 19 countries. In Switzerland, Valtech is a CHF53M revenue business with over 130 employees in three local offices - Baden, Bern and Geneva.

Impact Achieved:
- Pioneered a new business strategy generating direct revenue and established a robust pipeline for accelerated growth in 2023
- Reduced operating costs by CHF0.8M 
- Strengthened key client relationships and strategic account planning for a 10-30% growth 
- Enhanced Valtech Switzerland’s market presence, increasing total engagement by 7.13% each time personal branding was utilized.
- Led the implementation of a new agile organizational structure and governance processes, fostering better alignment and efficiency across teams.

Managing Director Switzerland and President of the Board of Directors

Kubeg AG

KUBEG AG is an expert in the fields of control technology, electronics, mechanics, pneumatics, and hydraulics.

Member Board Of Directors

Durham University

Durham University title in acknowledgement of the contributions made in area of expertise and recognition of contributions made towards its work by colleagues from different sectors.

Visiting Fellow

Kamales is a bold and strategic thinker in digital and business transformation. She combines over 24 years of deep cross-industry experience with the latest digital and technology solutions. Kamales is listed in the “Top 10 Global Influencers & Thought Leaders in Digital Transformation” (Thinkers360) and Top 50 Women in Tech Influencers 2021 (The Awards Magazine). In August 2024, she was named as one of the ‘Voices of a New Era of Leaders’ as part of the Female Factor Leadership:Redefined global movement. Kamales often says, 'technology is not a silver bullet solution, a clear value proposition should drive any transformation effort'. This approach resonates well with many business leaders and has helped her stand out in the digital space. Since establishing Lardi & Partner Consulting GmbH in 2012, Kamales has advised many multinational companies across various industries in Europe, Asia, and Africa. 

Kamales believes in the transformative impact of emerging technologies. She has developed a deep knowledge and practical experience in a range of emerging technology solutions, such as blockchain, AI, virtual and augmented reality, 3D-printing, IoT and sensor technologies, and robotics process automation, among others. Kamales is a Teaching Fellow at Durham University Business School and is the Chair of the FORBES Business Council Women Executives. She is a dynamic and influential speaker and presents regularly at corporate and industry conferences. In 2022, Kamales was recognized in International 40 Over 40 - The World's Most Inspiring Women by CapGemini Invent and Female One Zero.

Two weeks ago, I ran a simple test: I switched my LinkedIn gender from 'female' to 'male'. The impact was immediate and data impossible to ignore.
-> Visibility increased sharply, engagement rose and distribution expanded.  

One variable changed, the outcome shifted dramatically. 
I am not claiming to know why this happens, the system is opaque and underlying triggers remain unclear, but one this is certain:
Switching genders DOES impact visibility, data does not lie.

Today, I will switch my gender back to 'female'. But before that, here is what I have observed and learnt from this two week experiment:
1️⃣The reaction was massive and global
Dozens of women repeated the experienment independently, across regions, sectors and seniorities, with similar outcomes and visibility jump. 
2️⃣LinkedIn's response? minimal at best.
 Despite the repeated data, posts, conversations and concerns, there has been little transparent, authentic action from the platform. And no commitment to understand what is driving this outcome.
3️⃣Voices of women of color were largely erased. 
As a women of color, I saw first-hand how quickly we were overshadowed. Media coverage focused mostly on white women's experiences, despite the fact that many women of color shared similar outcomes from the experiment. This is not new, even though we face double bias penalties on the platform.
4️⃣''LinkedIn experts'' had little useful insights.
Instead of helping to decode the phenomenon, a number of self-appointed experts dismissed the issue, blamed women for not using LinkedIn correctly or defended the platform with untested assumptions. 

⏭️Let's be clear: transparency and accountability is not optional. 
Every major tech platform claims commitment to fairness and ethics. But commitments without data, accountability or corrective action are meaningless. And here is the hard truth:
platforms change when their bottom lines are affected. This experiment did not impact bottom lines, so the incentives to act remains low. 

🎯So here's what happens next, for me:
- I am switching my gender back to 'female'.
- I will shift my focus away from platform-dependent interactions.
- I will prioritize in-person or virtual conversations, deeper business engagement, and direct business relationships, where algorithms don't control my visibility.

For those who don’t know my work:
I am Kamales Lardi, global advisor in AI, emerging technologies, and enterprise digital transformation, with over 25 years of experience guiding executives, governments, and Fortune 500 organizations.
Through Lardi & Partner Consulting, my team and I help leaders:
- Build responsible, future-ready business and AI strategies
- Navigate and execute complex digital transformation initiatives 
- Align technology, culture, and leadership for measurable business outcomes
Strengthen organizational resilience and competitive advantage

If you want to discuss sustainable business and AI transformation, let's talk.

Driving Global Digital Transformation & Human-Centric AI | 25+ Years Delivering Business Growth via Neuroscience | Published Author & TEDx Speaker

Are tech leaders responsible for the outcomes of the technologies they create?

Over the past 10 days, there has been a lot of discussion on this platform about the potential of algorithmic bias on LinkedIn. What we are not hearing enough about is LinkedIn's approach to address this, whether true or not, intentional or not. 

How much should tech companies, and their leadership teams, be held responsible for the tech they create? In my view, fully responsible, as I explain in my TEDx Talk. 

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments

Listen to my full TEDx Talk, link in comment

#bias #digitaltransformation #AI #leadership

When you reward AI models for success, it becomes a sociopath

This is called Moloch's Bargain for AI - competitive success is achieved at the cost of alignment. A new study from Stanford University found that AI models in different environments increasingly engaged in unethical behaviour to boost outcomes, when it was rewarded for success.

The study included three digital online environments with simulated audiences - online election drives directed at voters, sales pitches for products directed at users, and social media posts to increase engagement. The results found: 
➡️ in elections, a 4.9% gain in vote share coincides with 22.3% more disinformation and 12.5% more populist rhetoric;
➡️ 6.3% increase in sales is accompanied by a 14.0% rise in deceptive marketing; 
➡️  on social media, a 7.5% engagement boost comes with 188.6% more disinformation and a 16.3% increase in promotion of harmful behaviors.

This competitive-induced misaligned behaviour is present even when the model is explicitly instructed to remain truthful and grounded. The study highlights how market-driven optimization pressures can systematically erode alignment, and solidifies the need for stronger governance to ensure safe deployment of AI systems. 

🔗Full study link in comments. 

#ai #bias #artificialintelligence #digitaltransformation

Most companies fixate on the tangible side of AI - data, models, infrastructure, tools 

Important, yes. But the real driver of AI success is the human element. Technology accelerates performance, but PEOPLE determine the direction and enable sustainable success. 

In my article, I describe five practical best practices to help you manage your workforce, foster collaboration between humans and machines, and build sustainable success as you augment human capabilities with AI.

🔗 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/en8VcnEV

Raiffeisen Switzerland

Leading a team of 80 FTE in the areas of E-Banking, Web, Customer Experience, Digital Sales, Customer Success, and Operations.
Developing the new Customer Experience Platform capabilities, content automation, and personalization.
Building an agile, diverse, and performance-driven Digital Organization.

Director Digital Business

Swiss Banking - Schweizerische Bankiervereinigung

Member of the Swiss Bankers Association within the Digitalization Expert Committee. 
Through its Expert Committee, the Swiss Bankers Association actively contributes to shaping the future of the Swiss banking sector.

Member Digitalization Expert Committee

Jelmoli

Advising Jelmoli on its e-Commerce and Digital Transformation strategy. Jelmoli is the biggest Omnichannel premium department store in Switzerland.

Board Advisor

BOARDMINDS

As a cross-industry, digital network of experts, we support board members with relevant know-how in the digital transformation field.

Wandr

Advising Wandr on their Go to Market and Data Analytics strategies. Wandr is a social platform where travelers can explore user-generated videos from around the world to plan their next trip.

GLG is the leading platform serving thousands of the world’s best businesses in every sector. Connecting these companies to the largest and most varied first-hand experts worldwide makes GLG at the forefront of providing industry insights to every great professional decision.

Digital, Omnichannel & Marketplace Strategy Advisor

Manor AG

•	Member of Senior Leadership Board (extended Executive Committee)
•	Leading a team of 65 FTE in the areas of Online Category Management, Online Marketing, Omnichannel, Marketplace, Customer Experience, Customer Care, eLogistics and Platform IT 
•	Responsible for the overall Digital and Omnichannel Strategy of the company 
•	In charge of the P&L management for the achievement of defined performance goals

Director Digital & Omnichannel

•	Leading a team of 40 FTE in the areas of Online Category Management, Content Production, Customer Care, eLogistics
•	Responsible for the commercial strategy, planning and budgeting

Director eCommerce Operations

•	Development of all categories to achieve the target turnover for the next years
•	Building and leading a matrix-team composed of 6 online sales managers, and 1 category development manager in direct report as well as 5 online merchandising managers in dotted reporting line.
•	Leading the sales team through a major platform release and site redesign
•	In charge of launching Multimedia, Travel, Jewellery and Home & Living for manor.ch
•	Directly involved in the definition of the new eCommerce strategy for the company

Vice Director eCommerce

•	Development of all categories to achieve the business plan turnover for the next years
•	Leading a team of 4 e-category managers and 5 back office specialists
•	In charge of launching new categories on manor.ch

Head of Category Management e-Commerce

•	In charge of launching the new fashion online shop of the company
•	Leading a multidisciplinary project team
•	Definition of the shop assortment, logistics strategy, process design, IT-specifications to improve the ERP data quality, specifications for shop design and functionalities, communication campaign for launch, new call center services, photo shooting strategy, newsletter activities, business plan

e-Commerce Project Manager

@home

Sabbatical

Manor

•	Leading a team of 4 communication specialists
•	In charge of planning and executing all communication activities for the perfumeries, jewellery, toys, stationery, home and household areas
•	Responsible for the monthly customer magazine „Manor Magazin“
•	Responsible for planning and implementation of special projects, sales promotions and global promotions

Team leader Communication

•	In charge of strategic projects and subprojects 
•	Responsible for the implementation check of strategic decisions
•	Interface function between the CEO’s office and the commercial divisions
•	Responsible for the organisation and structuring of strategic committees and events (in-house and external)
•	Realization of market analyses and competitors monitoring
•	Preparation of presentations for the CEO

Executive Assistant to the CEO

Robert Bosch

•	Leading a team of 5 Marketing specialists 
•	Responsible for the planning and execution of all marketing activities with an annual budget of       5 mill. €
•	Definition of the marketing plan, realization of market studies, Customer Satisfaction Index, SWOT-analysis, competitors monitoring and price comparison 
•	Planning and coordination of TV and radio advertising campaigns, print advertising campaigns (media plan), online campaigns, press releases, etc.
•	Conception and planning of the quarterly publication of the customer magazine
•	Conception, planning and realisation of sales promotions, product presentations, international trade fairs, incentive trips for key accounts
•	Development and maintenance of the internet site and online product configurator

Marketing Manager

•	Definition of the marketing activities and budgets with key accounts
•	Development of sales promotions, TV and press campaigns, product presentations, etc.
•	Responsible for: Internet, Intranet, e-commerce, product configurator, picture database, booklets

Marketing Assistant

Launch e-Commerce B2B
•	Definition of the future distribution strategy for the Spanish market based on the launch of a new distribution channel via e-Commerce
•	Elaboration of the specifications for the design and development of the IT program, creating new databases and interfaces to the existing systems

Trainee Program (Germany)

•	Event planning and organisation: international trade fairs and product presentations
•	Responsible for the design and realisation of sales promotions and advertising campaigns in close cooperation to the advertising agency

Trainee Program

I am a strategic leader in Digital Transformation developing high-performing teams with an extensive international track record in top management positions in the industry, retail and banking businesses. As an innovator and communicative leader, I believe that agile business transformation is more than ever before the key to enabling companies to develop new competencies and value propositions to ensure sustainable growth in the long term.
My strong competencies in this area have been recognized in 2020 by BILANZ awarding me as Top 100 Digital Shapers of Switzerland in the Transformers category.

MY CURRENT ROLE
I joined Raiffeisen Switzerland in January 2021 as Director Digital Business. In this role, I am leading the strategic and operational development of digital activities for the group. 

MY BACKGROUND
With over 20 years of international experience as a cross-industries Digital leader, I have always been passionate about stimulating innovation and change. From the very beginnings of my career as a Marketing Manager at Bosch in Spain and Germany, moving to Switzerland in the Digital transformation area for Retail and Banking industries, my curiosity and thirst for transforming businesses are what drives me.

I have a BSc in International Business Management and an Executive MBA degree from IMD. 

My work languages are German, English, French, and Spanish.

MY KEY COMPETENCIES 
Digital Transformation
Strategy
Operations
Innovation
Agile working methodologies
Senior Leadership Board and Advisory Board experiences

MOST PROUD OF
I was able to successfully build and grow the online business for a fashion and lifestyle department store with the implementation of new Omnichannel services.

PERSONAL NOTE
I have an open-minded, curious, dynamic, and proactive personality. I am passionate about developing high-performing teams and transforming companies.

In my free time, I love discovering new countries and cultures with my family and trying a new sport activity every year. I love surfing, skiing and spending holiday time with my friends.

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The Battle

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Laure Frank ✔️ EMBA IMD

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Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Kamales Lardi's LinkedIn Performance

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