Jote Taddese

Jote is an impact and purpose-driven leader who brings over 20-Years of experience as a customer-centric IT executive with proven outcomes of influencing, shaping, and executing enterprise strategies that take data and translate into meaningful digital transformations which enable C-Suite business executives to incorporate new insights into their decision-making processes. He is a proven industry thought leader with many years in senior leadership roles with strategic accountabilities in the areas of Data Monetization, Enterprise Data Architecture, and Digital Transformation capabilities.

In addition to being a C-Suite strategic advisor, a board executive, and a social entrepreneur, Jote is also a connector of individual strengths to make dreams come true by approaching every interaction as an opportunity to inspire others and look for what is possible versus focusing on the problem. He is a Lifetime-Learner, a Coach and a Mentor focused on fostering a culture of curiosity to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and co-creation in order to deliver meaningful business value in global and matrixed organizations.

Experience Summary

• Currently a Vice President of Software Engineering at Optum Technology within UnitedHealth Group, which is a leading consumer-centric digital health company that develops web and mobile experiences that make it easier for consumers to take charge of their health and healthcare needs. Optum’s solutions are currently available to nearly 55 million people through health plans, health care providers, more than 200,000 employers, and payers
• Currently a Co-founder and CIO/COO of DiaspoCare LLC, a social enterprise healthcare start-up whose mission is to bring the capacity to individuals who are away to take care of their loved ones’ needs for medicine and healthcare services from anywhere in the world through technology and advocacy
• Currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of St. Thomas Schools of Engineering and Data Science
• Served as a Senior IT Strategist and Head of Global Practice for Information Architecture within Medtronic Global IT organization and led the Digital Transformation strategy as the company grew from ~$17 Billion to ~$30 Billion
• Served as a Senior Advisor of Information Management Strategy for the office of the CIO at Medtronic
• Served as a senior advisor for Medtronic’s Global Health Innovation Program to develop a Technology-Enabled Hypertension Management Model of Care for Underserved Patients in East and West Africa
• Served as a chairman for the Medtronic Africa Focus Team (MAFT) is appointed to be a trusted resource on African markets for Medtronic in support of our global growth imperatives, by leveraging Medtronic employees as well as external Key Opinion Leaders (KOL) with experience and knowledge of Africa
• Served on the executive leadership team for the Medtronic-sponsored annual Africa Health Innovation Competition (AHIC)
• Past president and current executive board director of Books for Africa, the world’s largest shipper of text and library books reaching all 55 African countries.
• An advocate for literacy with a deep passion for how technology innovations enable access to quality education for students in under-served schools and communities worldwide
• Born and raised in Oromia, Ethiopia, educated in Nairobi, Kenya, and the US

Education

• Master of Science: Software Engineering – May 2001 – University of St. Thomas – St. Paul, MN
• Bachelor of Art: Management Information Systems – June 1998 – Luther College – Decorah, IA

Entrepreneurship

Co-Founder – DiaspoCare, LLC – August 2013. DiaspoCare is a social enterprise healthcare start-up whose mission is to bring the capacity to individuals who are away to take care of their loved ones’ needs for medicine and healthcare services from anywhere in the world through technology and advocacy.

Board Leadership

• Executive Board Director – African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI) – June 2020 – Present
• Executive Board Director – Books For Africa – January 2022 – Present
• Board Advisor – Prosperity Ready – March 2020 – Present
• Board President – Books For Africa – January 2018 – December 2019
• Board Director – Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota – February 2010 – January 2017

Community Awards

• Business of IT Awards by York Solutions – Community Give Back Award – November 2019
• Voices Magazine Awards – Non-Profit Leadership – April 2019