Frank Gundlich

Executive Leader in Data & AI

When you meet me in person, you’ll probably notice that I talk a lot about data with the excitement of a storyteller, AI with the curiosity of an engineer, and transformation with the optimism of a coach.

Because after all my years in this field — across Germany, the U.S., Asia, and beyond — I’ve learned that the real magic isn’t in systems or strategies.

It’s in people.

It’s in the shared moment when a team sees a complex problem clearly for the first time — and realizes: we can solve this together.

A Bit About Me

If I had to describe what drives me, I’d say it’s this: I love turning complexity into clarity — and potential into performance.
I’ve spent more than two decades leading teams, shaping strategy, and helping global companies find truth, direction, and opportunity in their data.

Today, I serve as Global Head of SAP Data & AI at Capgemini, leading a team of more than 3,000 colleagues worldwide. Together, we deliver transformation programs that don’t just modernize IT — they change how businesses think and operate.

Our work touches hundreds of global enterprises across retail, consumer products, and manufacturing. We help CFOs, CMOs, and COOs use data to drive better decisions, improve cashflow, and build intelligent, connected enterprises.
The impact? In some cases, millions saved through smarter forecasting, double-digit growth from customer personalization, and a culture shift toward data-driven decision making across entire organizations.

I Believe In

At my core, I believe that data without purpose is noise, and technology without people is empty, AI without the us humans in the loop is dangerous.I see my role as helping leaders turn data into confidence — not just dashboards and KPIs, but foresight and trust.

Every transformation, whether in a global enterprise or a small startup, begins with a story — a reason why people should believe in something new.

That’s what I do best: I help organizations find that story, tell it through data, and live it through action.

Community Is Where Real Impact Happens

Beyond my executive role, I’ve always believed leadership means sharing knowledge.
I’m an active mentor at GDEXA, helping young professionals develop their skills in AI, analytics, and digital transformation. I also regularly host webinars, panels, and keynotes, where I discuss data strategy, ethical AI, and leadership in the age of automation.
I’ve written for publications like E3 Magazine, ComputerBild, SAPexpress, and others — often bringing a touch of humor to otherwise dry topics like cloud architecture or governance frameworks.

Storytelling, for me, is the bridge between insight and action. That’s why I also write creatively — including my business novel, “The Cashflow Deadline”, which turns a CFO’s liquidity crisis into a thrilling story about courage, clarity, and data. The book’s characters — Klara Vogel, Martin the architect, and Sophie the analyst — mirror the real dynamics I’ve seen in boardrooms: tension, teamwork, and transformation.

My Journey Wasn’t a Straight Line — It Was a Climb

I started my career not in consulting, but in the hands-on trenches of technology. I’m a trained technical assistant in automation and application development specialist — a trade-school graduate who learned to write code, fix servers, and build systems from scratch.
That foundation taught me something invaluable: transformation only works when you truly understand how things run under the hood.

My career took me from SOKA-BAU to Bongrain and BASF, where I ended up as enterprise architecture for information, data, and analytics, co-defining their first global data strategy and enabling the company’s earliest big data use cases and platform.

At Datavard, I took on the challenge of scaling innovation in products internationally — helping open new offices in the USA and Singapore. I was the first person on the ground in these new markets, guiding the local teams on product portfolio, go-to-market, customer engagement, and sales excellence. That period shaped my leadership philosophy: success is built on trust, clarity, and shared ambition.

At SAP, I joined the Center of Excellence for EMEA South, advising regional leaders on data strategy and analytics transformation. I had the privilege of collaborating with the biggest brands, helping them rethink how data could fuel operational efficiency and customer engagement.

I learned that data is not just numbers — it’s behavior, culture, and intent. And when harnessed correctly, it can turn even the most traditional business into a living, learning organism.

Work Experience

Global Head of SAP Data & AI - Capgemini
Nov 2021 - Present

Industry & Customer Advisor - CoE EMEA South - SAP
Sep 2018 - Nov 2021

Strategic Business Development Manager - Datavard (now SNP)
Sep 2015 - Aug 2018

Business Growth: Drove double-digit global revenue growth, expanding practice contribution to Capgemini’s overall SAP business.
Client Success: Delivered AI-enabled business transformations for major retail and consumer brands, resulting in ~15–20% operational efficiency gains and up to 25% faster decision-making cycles.
Strategic Partnerships: Reinforced alliances with SAP, Databricks, Collibra, Syniti, and SeaPark Consultancy, driving a 40% increase in partner-led joint pursuits.
Transformation Framework: Designed and launched the CFO Value Fabric, linking data initiatives to P&L impact.
Culture & Community: Built a global leadership circle of Data & AI experts to mentor emerging leaders — cultivating a culture of transparency, inclusion, and innovation.
Thought Leadership: Speaker at Databricks Summit, SAP Sapphire, several Webinars and Hack2Build Hackathon Winner for AI-based predictive insights use case.

“I focus on helping companies turn their data into foresight — and foresight into financial outcomes.”

Strategic Advisor: For major global and regional brands through enterprise data transformations that enhanced e.q. customer engagement and profitability.
Innovation Enablement: Introduced hybrid data architectures combining SAP HANA, Data Lakes, and AI automation, reducing data latency by 60%.
Thought Leadership: Recognized with SAP Catalyst Award for excellence in cross-region enablement

“At SAP, I learned that true innovation happens where business ambition meets technical courage.”

Market Expansion: Supported the company’s growth into the USA and Singapore, acting as the first on-the-ground leader in both markets.
Sales & Enablement: Enabled local sales teams through product portfolio training, go-to-market strategy, and customer presentation coaching, contributing to a double digit YoY increase in regional revenue.
Product Evolution: Co-developed the Datavard Data Management Suite, integrating governance, performance monitoring, and automation capabilities later adopted by SAP.
Brand Thought Leadership: Represented Datavard at global events, elevating visibility through keynotes and publications.