Jose Ribau

Experience

Jose is a senior executive with depth in data strategy, technology, and marketing that spans numerous sectors including retail, commercial real estate, and financial services. As a founder and sponsor of both startups and technology venture funds, he has leveraged his scientific training and enterprise experience to help companies transition through different stages of growth.

Before starting his own business, Jose served as EVP Digital & Innovation at Cadillac Fairview building the innovation practice and launching digital product development. In this role, he also led Technology, Marketing, Brand, and Communications for this $30 billion commercial real estate company. Leveraging his experience in financial services, Jose led the creation of award-winning experiences by modernizing marketing technology and introducing customer journeys.

Prior to Cadillac Fairview, Jose spent 18 years at CIBC where he launched Canada's first Visa debit product, managed deposits and payments, and pioneered the use of segmentation analytics in driving sales and marketing campaigns. As CIBC's Chief Data Officer he was responsible for retail customer information and analytics, and led the development of the bank's first enterprise data and AI program.

Leadership and ventures

As a business-focused transformation leader, Jose has been a change agent across a number of industries, helping organizations identify new opportunities to innovate through disruption. He has led Technology, Marketing, Digital Transformation, Brand, and Corporate Communications, which allows him to collaborate effectively with Operations and Finance to deliver shared priorities.

While leading Digital and Innovation at Cadillac Fairview, Jose was the founding LP for two technology venture capital funds in partnership with Framework Venture Partners ($300M+ USD AUM), helping establish a foothold in North America for AI-based businesses with high growth potential. Seeing the potential for real-time payments in the U.S., he launched kwidflow AI, a fintech that accelerates payments for business clients, an underserved part of the banking industry.

Technology and AI advisory and consulting

In 2022, Jose established R5 Innovations, a consulting firm that helps companies develop and implement digital and AI capabilities. In addition, he has provided global fintechs with M&A advisory support with an emphasis on technology and AI value creation, and helped tech companies through fundraising stages or exits in both the U.S. and Canada.

Working with Deloitte Private Equity, Jose helps clients pursue opportunities that leverage data, technology, and AI to accelerate business outcomes. He leads client engagements that expand the use of data and AI in optimizing margin, reducing cost, and driving business transformation.

Thought leadership & education

As one of North America's early data leaders, Jose was recognized for thought leadership in establishing a governance approach to data analytics that combined strong governance with growth innovation. His contributions to the industry were documented in a Harvard Business Review publication summarizing best practices in Data Strategy (2017).

His transformational leadership has also been recognized by independent publications and podcasts, including the Shopper Innovation Award by Strategy Magazine for an AI-enabled shopping experience, RBC Disruptors and StoryTellers podcasts, Retail Insider features on retail experience and mobile payments, and BrainStation coverage of digital transformation in retail.

He earned his MBA in Science & Technology from Queen's University, an M.Sc. from McMaster University, and a B.Sc. from Wilfrid Laurier University. His scientific training combined with business education and operating experience provides a strong basis for results-focused advisory work. He spends time in Canada, the U.S., and Europe pursuing two passions: helping clients succeed and traveling with his family on epic outdoor adventures.