Dion Rooney
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Business Transformation Executive | Former Fortune 500 CIO | Trusted Advisor to Boards, CEOs, and Private Equity
Technology has never been the objective of Dion Rooney’s career. Better business performance has.
For more than four decades, Dion has helped organizations navigate some of their most consequential business decisions by aligning technology strategy with enterprise objectives, developing high performing leadership teams, and executing large scale transformation initiatives that deliver measurable results.
Throughout his career, Fortune 500 companies, global retailers, manufacturers, and private equity backed organizations have repeatedly entrusted Dion to modernize complex technology environments, improve operational performance, strengthen cybersecurity, accelerate digital growth, and guide organizations through periods of significant change.
His leadership philosophy is grounded in a simple principle:
Technology creates value only when it enables better business outcomes.
Today, as Founding Partner of Lumerai Advisors, Dion provides independent executive guidance to boards, CEOs, CIOs, and executive leadership teams seeking objective advice on technology strategy, enterprise transformation, cloud modernization, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, and operating model design.
At a Glance
More than two decades leading enterprise technology organizations through transformation, growth, and periods of significant change.
40+
Years
$2B
Digital Business Supported
$400M
Annual Tech Budget
$150M
Largest Business Transformation
$100M+
Operational Savings Delivered
Extensive
Board, CEO & Private Equity Advisor
$13B
Global Enterprise Supported
400+
Technology Professionals Led
$50M
EBITDA Improvements
Executive Leadership at Scale
Former Fortune 500 CIO responsible for global technology organizations supporting multibillion dollar enterprises across retail, manufacturing, ecommerce, and consumer products.
Why Organizations Trust Dion Rooney
Organizations repeatedly seek Dion’s leadership when the stakes are high and the decisions matter.
Whether modernizing enterprise technology, responding to a cybersecurity crisis, improving operating performance, or evaluating strategic investments, Dion brings a unique combination of executive judgment, operational discipline, and practical experience gained from leading transformation inside some of the world’s most recognized organizations.
He has built his reputation by helping organizations:
- Align technology strategy with business strategy.
- Build high performing leadership teams and cultures.
- Deliver measurable returns from technology investments.
- Modernize enterprise operating models.
- Improve EBITDA and operational efficiency.
- Navigate mergers, acquisitions, and organizational change.
- Lead confidently through cybersecurity incidents and business disruptions.
- Balance innovation with disciplined execution.
Executive Advisory Expertise
Operator-led experience across the strategic, operational, and technology challenges facing modern enterprises.
Enterprise Technology Strategy
Helping organizations prioritize technology investments that directly support business growth and competitive advantage.
Digital & Business Transformation
Leading large scale transformation initiatives that balance innovation, operational resilience, and measurable business outcomes.
Cloud Modernization
Helping organizations determine the right balance between cloud, private infrastructure, and hybrid operating models based on business objectives rather than industry trends.
Artificial Intelligence
Helping executive teams prepare their organizations for practical AI adoption through governance, workforce readiness, operating model evolution, and business alignment.
Executive Leadership
Building cultures founded on trust, accountability, collaboration, and relentless execution.
Executive Leadership & Board Advisory
Serving as a trusted advisor to boards, CEOs, CIOs, and executive leadership teams navigating complex technology decisions.
Industries Served
Retail • Apparel Retail • Continuous Manufacturing • Discrete Manufacturing • eCommerce • Consumer Products
Selected Career Highlights
A career defined by leading technology through transformation, regulatory change, mergers and acquisitions, and moments when execution mattered most.
LUMERAI ADVISORS
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Dion co-founded Lumerai Advisors to help boards, CEOs, private equity firms, and technology leaders navigate the strategic decisions shaping modern enterprises. Drawing on decades of executive operating experience, he advises organizations on enterprise transformation, AI governance, operating model modernization, cybersecurity resilience, technology due diligence, and executive leadership.
Highlights
- Advises executive teams on complex technology and business transformation initiatives.
- Guides organizations in the responsible adoption and governance of artificial intelligence.
- Provides independent technology due diligence and post-merger advisory services.
- Helps technology leaders strengthen operating models, execution discipline, and long-term enterprise value.
Rimini Street
Global Head of Industry Solutions and Retail
Advised enterprise organization on maximizing technology investments while funding innovation.
GAF
Chief Information Officer
Transformed technology into a strategic business partner while modernizing enterprise platforms, cybersecurity, cloud, and customer engagement.
Hudson's Bay Company
Senior Vice President, Customer Facing Technology
Led a global technology organization supporting a $2 billion digital ecosystem across multiple luxury and retail brands.
Toys "R" Us
Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President
Directed technology strategy across a $13 billion global enterprise while helping establish modern omnichannel retail capabilities.
Leading Through Defining Moments
The most valuable technology leaders are often shaped by the moments that test organizations the most. Throughout his career, Matt has repeatedly been entrusted to lead technology through periods of transformation, uncertainty, and enterprise change.
Leading Through Crisis
Shortly after joining a new organization, Dion inherited a ransomware attack that had encrypted production and recovery environments.
By establishing parallel recovery efforts, maintaining transparent executive communication, and rapidly strengthening security capabilities, the organization restored operations within days without business disruption while implementing a more resilient cloud based recovery strategy.
Transforming Enterprise Operations
Led a $150 million multiyear merchandise transformation initiative that improved inventory turns, reduced markdowns, strengthened forecasting accuracy, and delivered significant business value.
Protecting Capability During Cost Reduction
When directed to reduce technology spending, Dion challenged the assumption that reducing headcount was the only answer.
Instead, he rebalanced internal and external resources, preserving critical institutional knowledge while reducing costs, maintaining service quality, and positioning the organization for future growth.
Leading Through Cybersecurity
Successfully guided executive leadership through a major payment card breach by coordinating legal, communications, technology, and business response teams while minimizing disruption and preserving stakeholder confidence.
These defining moments shaped a leadership philosophy that continues to guide Dion’s work today: technology creates opportunity, but disciplined leadership and sound judgment determine enterprise success.
Dion's Executive Insights
Dion is an active contributor to executive conversations on technology strategy, business transformation, and leadership.
His articles, keynote presentations, podcasts, and executive briefings focus on helping organizations make better technology decisions through practical experience rather than industry hype.
Lumerai Technology Value Realization Series | Part 3
Lumerai Technology Value Realization – Part 2
The Missing Stage in Every Technology Investment
The question isn’t whether your organization will be transformed by AI. That ship has sailed.
"Helping executive teams make better technology decisions through independent advice, enterprise leadership, and more than forty years of experience translating technology investments into measurable business outcomes."
Education
MBA — Seton Hall University
Bachelor of Science — Seton Hall University
Looking for Independent Executive Perspective?
Whether your organization is evaluating a major technology investment, modernizing enterprise systems, preparing for AI adoption, optimizing cloud strategy, or navigating a complex business transformation, independent executive guidance can make the difference between successful execution and costly misalignment.
Connect with Dion Rooney to discuss your organization’s most important technology and business challenges.