Authena

In this role, I focus on expanding Authena's business footprint within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, helping brands and logistics providers implement cutting-edge traceability and authentication solutions to protect product integrity, enhance supply chain transparency, and foster consumer trust. Key responsibilities include:

- Developing and executing strategic market expansion initiatives across the GCC region, targeting industries such as Food & Beverage, Pharmaceuticals, Luxury Goods, and Logistics Providers.

- Building long-term relationships with top distributors, producers, and logistics companies, especially in highly verticalized markets, to create more transparent, sustainable, and efficient supply chains.

- Leading high-impact sales outreach, adapting our advanced IoT-enabled traceability solutions to fit the needs of local markets in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other GCC nations.

- Collaborating with logistics providers to equip them with real-time monitoring, geolocation, and ambient condition data, enabling them to reduce blind spots in cross-border distribution channels and maintain superior product quality and visibility.

- Helping logistics companies become more competitive by offering scalable, unit-level traceability solutions that enhance service reliability, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

- Aligning with national goals on food security, regulatory compliance, and sustainability by providing traceability systems that improve supply chain optimization and end-to-end visibility.

- Driving customer success and overseeing the deployment of Authena’s Shield™ and L1VE™ solutions across the GCC’s luxury, FMCG, and logistics markets.

Business Development Lead, GCC Region

At Authena, we envision a future where real-time traceability ensures transparency, sustainability, and operational excellence across global supply chains. We partner with brands to combat counterfeiting, fraud, and inefficiencies, offering IoT-enabled and blockchain-based solutions that secure the supply chain at every stage and significantly reduce food loss due to operational inefficiencies.

I am responsible for expanding Authena’s user and customer base across multiple verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food & Beverages, Luxury Goods, and Fragrances & Cosmetics. In collaboration with the sales and business development teams, I co-lead lead generation, sales enablement, and market expansion efforts with a strong emphasis on:

- Driving the adoption of real-time traceability solutions that address supply chain inefficiencies and reduce food waste.
- Enhancing revenue and profitability by implementing traceability technology that ensures sustainability and improves operational efficiency.
- Leading creative, brand, and communications strategies, positioning Authena as a pioneer in traceability, supply chain sustainability, and food loss prevention.

Chief Marketing Officer

Food & Beverages and Luxury Vertical Leader

Authena (former Acatena AG) is the leading provider of highly innovative IoT & blockchain-based technology solutions for END-TO-END TRACEABILITY, BRAND PROTECTION and USER ENGAGEMENT. We created an end-to-end tracing system allowing brands and enterprises to implement cost-efficient global end-to-end and safe sales solutions. We are the inventors of this innovative smart end-to-end mobile marketing system (European and US Patent Pending) – a technology for the future.
Role highlights: 
Supporting the executive team in shaping the startup growth and scale-up strategy.

Board Member, Advisor

Schindler Group

Schindler was founded in 1874 in Lucerne, Switzerland, and is one of the world’s leading providers of elevators, escalators, and moving walks, as well as maintenance and modernisation services. With over 1 000 branch offices in more than 100 countries, as well as production sites and research and development facilities in the US, Brazil, Europe, China, and India.
Role highlights:
Led initiatives to achieve Schindler's new Reporting vision: a user-friendly, mobile, reporting platform that offers state of the art visualisation and multi-currency functionalities. 
Finalised a harmonised steering concept in close cooperation with the Business and our internal IT services.
Defined and Implemented Managed Self Service approach, Data Strategy and Governance Framework with support of internal and external experts.
Implemented digital reporting functionalities and touchless reporting based on single source of truth 
Defined initial set up for the Center of Excellence for Reporting

Finance Innovation Manager/Reporting workstream leader in the Finance Innovation Lab

•	Shaped the strategic people analytics vision by prioritising for impact/efforts the execution of the multi-year roadmap.
•	Orchestrated the different IT stakeholders in defining the going forward HR analytics technology landscape required to deliver the HR stakeholder’s strategic goals.
•	Led the HR analytics product management team in executing the detailed product/applications vision and overall roadmap across the full lifecycle (from project implementation to maintenance/operations and decommissioning).
•	Developed competencies of the HR IT people analytics staff to ensure that interdisciplinary knowledge of HR processes, analytics and IS/IT was available and leveraged across the Group.
•	Led the agile delivery of the first people analytics dashboard (version 0) for the group within a challenging environment.

Group Vice President, Global Lead for People Analytics in the Business Advanced Analytics CoE

• Led the global team of senior product managers and transitioned from Finance into the IS Business Engagement Organization. 
• Built a common framework at global, regional and country level for managing the product fit and alignment to the evolving finance needs. 
• Leveraged the ABB common product management methods for defining and keeping the product vision updated  and roadmaps in line with the strategic priorities and technologies lifecycles also in the finance area. Aligned stakeholders expectations with authorised resources.
•  Managed product decision making at strategic and operative level within respective decision boards.
•  Overseen IS BUILD and RUN teams to secure the business value was delivered and maintained in the organisation.

Group Vice President, Head of AIM Product Management and IS Business Engagement

• AIM Product Management was the function that actively managed the planning and delivery of key product demands around simplification and automation across the finance product portfolio. 
• The vision was to integrate people, data, processes and business systems and actively manage the planning and delivery of products globally at all stages of the product lifecycle. 
• Transitioned the team from a dispersed project managers to an aligned and centrally managed Product Management resource pool providing combined business processes and IS knowledge.

Group Vice President, Head of ABB Information Management (AIM) Product Management

• Managed the demand, implementation and operations of ABB’s Business Intelligence applications portfolio 
• Ensured accurate and timely availability of management information systems, planning & controlling applications. 
• Provided a business intelligence application architecture supporting data, system integration and standardisation of IS processes with focus on performance, cost efficiency, application availability and security.
• Advised senior executives on strategic systems conversions and integrations in support of business goals and objectives.

Group Vice President, Head of Group BI Applications

• Advised senior management on strategic/important system conversions and integrations in support of business goals and objectives
• Supported Finance functions to process and use financial information in the most efficient manner
• Supported the financial applications in line with business processes and needs, ensured proper designs, development, operations, maintenance and technical user of Group Finance & Controlling (GF-FC), Group Treasury (GF-GT) and Corporate Tax (GF-TA)
• Provided and continuously optimised an integrated and efficient architecture for the Group Finance applications as well as formulate and regularly related Finance Systems strategy 
• Ensured compliance of applicable finance applications in line with corporate and HQ standards
•  Negotiated and concluded contracts and day-to-day issues interpersonal, project and people management skills with hardware and software providers as well as implementation partners, in co-operation with the Legal and Group IS functions.
•  Made available best-in-class collaboration tools and portals to the Finance functions, enabled efficient information sharing and user-friendly handling of the Finance applications
•  Led the Finance Application Cluster Managers as well as guided, developed and motivated the subordinate staff.

Group Vice President, Head Group Finance Systems

- Managed several global finance applications such as CFO Portal, CIMT, Accounting & Reporting Guidelines, new GRCM system (Group Risk and Control Management), SARA (Unified User Access Management for Finance applications), and Quarterly Internal Control Certification(QUICC).

Global Application Cluster Manager for Group Finance Governance & Collaboration Systems

• Developed the HRIS team across the internal eight ABB Regions, while shaping the HRIS
role in ABB
• Defined and executed the 3-years development roadmap for the "HR Group Tools" (group
global SAP Talent Management and Acquisition platform) 12MUSD yearly budget
• Assured a technological adequate and cost-effective information system in use at ABB’s global Human Resources management
• Supported the globalisation of Talent Acquisition while balancing the recruiting needs of the different countries. 
• Enabled the development of a global HR-IS architecture to enable global talent pool and economy of scale.
• Developed the first HRIS strategy ever in ABB and managed its first 3-years execution,
including a practical hybrid approach to cloud solutions to build internal knowledge and
balance the “on premises” investment lifecycle.

Head Group HR-IS manager

Group IFRS ERP Stream lead

Achievements:
•	Group Project quality assurance and country support for IMA; MED and SAM regions
•	Group position paper for Intra-company sales
•	Group requirement and guideline for Credit management country policy
•	Group guideline for production Over/under absorption postings
•	Group guideline for SAP Finance and Controlling set up
•	Driving the optimal implementation of SAP Governance Risk and Compliance for managing real time Segregation of Duties controls and harmonizing the SAP User Access provisioning
•	Supported countries in their SAP consolidation projects, as a group quality assurance assessor and as a rescue project manager for projects in trouble.
Managed Key Group-stakeholders for ERPCC, managed with them a joint agenda of priorities, delivered agreed projects / initiatives in alignment with the ERP CC strategy.

GF-IS/ERP CC OsA Implementation Support Manager

Achievements: 
•	IT Finance/Controlling team leader in the Country SAP implementation in ABB Dubai (04/2005-07/2006)
•	Active role as IT Finance/Controlling team leader in the second part of ABB SACE Sarbanes- Oxley compliance project for IS process (template Q) (03/2005-04/2006)
•	IT Finance/Controlling Team leader in the project for changing in ABB SACE the project evaluation method in SAP from POC to CCM according to ABB A&RG guidelines. (02/2006-10/2006)
•	Actively involved in SAP Best practices application and testing of ABB Business Application Package. (from 09/2005)
•	IT Finance/Controlling Team leader during SACE SAP system consolidation project (09/2004-08/2005)
•	IT Finance/Controlling Team leader in ABB SACE during spin off of Analysis business (11/2004-1/2005)
•	‘As is’ analysis of ABB CNILG in Xinhui District (China) and ‘GAP Analysis’ with SACE SAP Model(04/2004 and 01/2005)
•	IT Controlling Team leader during SAP Upgrade project from 4.6B to 4.7 Enterprise (06/2003-10/2003)

IT Finance/Controlling Team leader

Achievements:
•	ABB SACE co-Implementation manager, Finance/Controlling team leader and CO specialist in the Country SAP implementation in ABB Argentina the South America Region CIO. (02/2005-06/2006)
•	ABB SACE IT Project Manager for Finance and Controlling in the Italian OsA (One Simple ABB) ERP consolidation projects ( PT SAP and BAAN in SACE SAP client) (until 12/2006)
•	IT Project Manager during the initial phase of ABB SACE Sarbanes- Oxley compliance project for the IS process (template Q) (09/2004-02/2005)
•	IT Project Manager in Italy for the ABB IS Margin Transparency system pilot project. (09/2004-12/2004)

IT Finance and Controlling Project Manager

IT Project Manager Finance and Controlling

SAP CO (controlling) Senior Consultant

SAP PP, PS and logistics modules specialist

Trainee

As Chief Marketing Officer & Business Development Lead (GCC) at Authena, I work to integrate advanced technology with sustainability-driven, customer-focused strategies. My role involves expanding Authena’s market presence and offering real-time traceability solutions that enhance transparency, ensure product integrity, and help reduce food waste caused by operational inefficiencies.

At Authena, we support businesses in improving their supply chain operations through the use of IoT, blockchain, and AI technologies. These innovations help ensure product safety, streamline processes, and contribute to sustainability goals. By providing real-time data insights, we enable businesses to create more transparent and efficient supply chains that align with both environmental standards and consumer expectations.

With our IoT-enabled solutions, we help businesses gain better visibility into their supply chains. Blockchain supports data integrity, while AI offers actionable insights that address inefficiencies and improve operational outcomes. These technologies are designed to assist businesses in enhancing product quality, reducing waste, and improving customer satisfaction.

In my role, I collaborate with teams to identify opportunities for optimizing supply chain performance, minimizing food loss, and ensuring sustainable practices are in place. Our scalable traceability solutions allow businesses to meet the growing demand for sustainability, while improving their overall customer experience.

With a Master’s Degree in Engineering and Industrial Management and extensive experience in AI, Blockchain, IoT, and Digital Transformation, I specialize in integrating innovative technologies with strategic marketing. My focus is on utilizing real-time data to enhance traceability, improve efficiency, and foster customer trust. 
With over 20 years of experience in leading Digital Transformation initiatives on local, regional, and global scales, I have helped organizations modernize and optimize their operations across Finance, Human Resources, Marketing and Operations. My expertise includes process optimization, HR analytics, data governance, and ensuring compliance with regulations such as GDPR.

In my current role, I focus on integrating AI, Blockchain, and IoT technologies to support our sustainability-driven and customer-focused strategies. These technologies play a crucial role in enhancing traceability and improving operational efficiency, enabling our clients to meet their sustainability goals while elevating their customer experience.

At DOERS Dubai today — the right place for people who actually build and make things happen.

At Authena, we turn transparency in logistics into real results:
• 80% fewer diverted/stolen goods
• 100× more data insights

Powered by the world’s smallest autonomous IoT.

If you’re here, DM me on LinkedIn and let’s meet in pers

Rossana Ricco-Rodgers

CMO | 26+ Years of Global Execution Power Across Americas, Europe, GCC & Asia | Your Brands Don’t Just Launch — They Seduce, They Lead, and They Sell | Traceability. Trust. Transformation.

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Being in Riyadh this Sunday for #SPECTRUM2025 was a powerful reminder of how fast the Kingdom’s innovation ecosystem is moving.
Honoured that Authena was among the 29 startups selected by KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) to join this year’s gathering — a day shaped by purposeful conversations, focused matchmaking, and a shared commitment to building what comes next.
A sincere thank you to the #KAUSTScaleX team for the warm hospitality and seamless organisation, and to all the speakers and moderators who created such an engaging environment.
Grateful for the opportunity to connect with founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders driving Vision 2030 forward.
Energised by the momentum ahead.
Photo credit: KAUST
#SaudiArabia #KAUSTScaleX #Innovation #Vision2030 #Investment #Riyadh #SwissTech #SmartSupplyChain #Traceability

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