Cory Gundberg

CIO/CTO | COO | Chief Digital & Transformation Officer | Executive Leader in Operations, Technology & Digital Transformation | Scaling Growth Companies | Operational Efficiency | AI & Data-Driven Strategy

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

About

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of leading transformative initiatives across diverse industries, including healthcare, financial services, fintech, and retail. From steering technology-driven growth at Fortune companies to navigating the complexities of high-growth startups, I’ve developed a unique perspective on what it takes to scale organizations and drive meaningful change. I partner with CEOs, boards, and leadership teams to bridge strategy and execution, focusing on the intersection of business operations, technology, and product development. I believe in harnessing the power of digital tools, data, and AI to not only solve complex business challenges but to create differentiated experiences for consumers, clients, and employees alike. Whether it’s modernizing technology platforms, optimizing operational processes, or developing innovative consumer solutions, I’m driven by the goal of delivering sustainable value and competitive advantage. As COO for Optum Financial, I led a $2B organization at the intersection of healthcare and fintech, where we transformed operations and enhanced consumer experiences by integrating digital technologies and advanced analytics. Earlier, as Chief Digital and Transformation Officer for OptumRx, I redefined our digital strategy, enabling a more seamless and engaging experience for millions of customers while significantly improving efficiency and growth. Before joining Optum, I held senior leadership roles at Walmart, where I led the digital transformation of the company’s $20B pharmacy business and played a key role in building and scaling Walmart’s online grocery platform from the ground up. These experiences reinforced the importance of aligning technology with human-centered processes to drive business growth and innovation. My leadership philosophy is rooted in fostering inclusive, purpose-driven cultures where teams are empowered to innovate, take ownership, and collaborate toward shared goals. I’m passionate about creating environments where diverse perspectives are valued and where people feel inspired to do their best work. As I look to the future, I’m excited to continue leveraging my expertise to help organizations scale, transform, and thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape. Whether leading as a COO, CIO, or in a transformative technology role, my focus remains on driving strategic growth, operational excellence, and sustainable impact.

Experience

  • EVP & Chief Technology Officer at SRS Distribution Inc.
    Jan 2025 - Present · 1 yr 6 mos

  • President and Founder at Digitus, LLC
    Sep 2024 - Jan 2025 · 5 mos

    Providing fractional services, consulting, and advising to CEOs, boards, and leadership teams - bridging strategy and execution, focusing on digital transformation, technology, artificial intelligence and operational excellence.

  • Optum (5 yrs 6 mos)
    • Chief Operating Officer, Optum Financial ⇒ FinTech ⇒ Healthcare ⇒ Operations
      Jan 2022 - Sep 2024 · 2 yrs 9 mos

      At Optum Financial, I led a transformative journey as Chief Operating Officer, driving operational excellence and innovation in a complex, high-growth environment. I oversaw operations for the $2B healthcare, financial services, and fintech organization, which sits at the intersection of consumer health and financial well-being. Partnering closely with the CEO and executive team, I guided a diverse team of thousands to deliver exceptional service and value to our clients, consumers, and providers. My focus was on modernizing operations through strategic planning, technology integration, and process optimization. I worked to create a seamless, end-to-end servicing experience by harnessing digital tools and AI, which significantly improved efficiency and consumer satisfaction. As a leader, I was dedicated to empowering my teams, encouraging them to innovate and take ownership, while maintaining a relentless focus on delivering sustainable value to all stakeholders. Throughout my tenure, I fostered a culture of collaboration and inclusivity, driving positive change and alignment across all levels of the organization. This included serving as executive sponsor for DE&I initiatives, focusing on diverse hiring, education, and leadership engagement.

    • Chief Digital & Transformation Officer, OptumRx ⇒ Digital ⇒ eCommerce
      Apr 2019 - Jan 2022 · 2 yrs 10 mos

      Upon recruitment to OptumRx as Chief Digital and Transformation Officer, I had the opportunity to reshape the digital landscape of this $100B organization dedicated to improving the pharmacy benefit management and home delivery experience. My role involved not only leading digital strategy but also redefining how we engaged with consumers and supported our employees. I spearheaded initiatives to enhance our digital capabilities, leveraging data and advanced analytics to streamline operations and transform the way we delivered value. By focusing on user-centric design and automation, I improved both the consumer and employee experience, fostering a more efficient and responsive organization. My approach has always been to bridge technology with human-centered processes, ensuring that the systems we build empower our people and serve our customers better. Moreover, I’m passionate about creating environments where teams can thrive and contribute to meaningful innovations that drive business growth.

  • Walmart (9 yrs 4 mos)
    • Chief Digital Officer, Health & Wellness ⇒ OmniChannel ⇒ Transformation ⇒ Digital
      2018 - Apr 2019 · 1 yr 4 mos

      As Chief Digital Officer of Health & Wellness at Walmart, I was entrusted with transforming Walmart's $20B pharmacy business to better serve millions of customers across the United States. I led a dedicated team focused on integrating technology and operations to deliver a seamless experience across physical and digital channels. My tenure was marked by a strategic overhaul that incorporated advanced analytics and automation, which not only improved operational efficiency but also enhanced customer engagement. By partnering closely with cross-functional teams, we were able to deliver innovative solutions that empowered our employees and provided greater access to healthcare for our customers. This experience underscored my belief in the power of collaboration and inclusive leadership to drive meaningful change in large, complex organizations.

    • SVP, WalmartTech ⇒ Technology Strategy, Delivery & Modernization ⇒ OmniChannel
      2013 - 2018 · 5 yrs

      In Walmart Technology, I was at the forefront of driving digital transformation for the world's largest retailer. My role involved overseeing the strategy, development, and delivery of technology solutions that supported both our physical stores and eCommerce platforms. I worked with a talented global team, building systems that enabled our store associates to perform at their best and provided our customers with convenient, innovative shopping experiences. This period was a defining moment in my career as we built and scaled Walmart’s online grocery business from the ground up, fundamentally changing the way customers interacted with Walmart. I take pride in our achievements in creating integrated solutions that not only drove business growth but also made a positive impact on the lives of our customers and associates. With a leadership philosophy rooted in empowering others, I championed an environment where every team member felt valued and inspired to contribute to our shared goals.

    • VP, Global Business Process ⇒ Workforce Productivity ⇒ Global Delivery
      2010 - 2013 · 3 yrs

      In my role as Vice President of Global Business Processes, I led a team dedicated to optimizing Walmart's operations across multiple countries. My focus was on implementing innovative workforce management solutions and strategic initiatives that improved productivity and drove significant cost savings. Partnering with teams in six countries, I collaborated with regional leaders to adapt our global strategies to local markets, ensuring that our solutions were both effective and culturally relevant. This role deepened my appreciation for the nuances of global leadership and the importance of aligning business processes with organizational values. Working across diverse geographies together with our teams, we successfully streamlined operations and improved support for Walmart's mission to help people save money and live better.

  • Senior Manager, Retail Practice ⇒ Technology & Process Development at Accenture
    1998 - 2010 · 12 yrs

    Through my journey at Accenture, I honed my skills as a leader and strategist, working with some of the world's most renowned retailers, from startups to multibillion-dollar corporations, to implement technology solutions that transformed their businesses. As a Senior Manager in the Retail Practice, I led large-scale technology and business transformation projects that helped clients improve their operations and better serve their customers. This included implementing a major merchandising planning system for Walmart, resulting in improving supply chain efficiency and contributing to a 10% increase in sales, for which I won the Sam Walton Delivery Excellence Award. I was fortunate to collaborate with exceptional teams and clients, driving projects that ranged from optimizing supply chain operations to enhancing in-store technologies. This experience taught me the value of combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of business needs, and it solidified my belief in the power of technology to drive meaningful change. My time at Accenture laid the foundation for my career, equipping me with the skills and perspectives needed to lead complex transformations in dynamic industries.