Ray S. MacDonald

Executive Advisor

  • Helping leaders think clearly in an age of AI, cyber risk, and constant change.

    Over the past twenty-five years, I've led and advised technology organizations from Oracle and IBM to TD Bank, Marsh, and Arctic Wolf Networks.

    What distinguishes my perspective is balance: on both sides of the table as a trusted vendor and as the enterprise decision-maker.

    for board or advisory services by Ray S MacDonald visit my firm at www.macdonaldexec.com

  • Expertise

    From global enterprises to tech startups, where I'm most often asked to help...

    Leadership Under Pressure

    navigate ambiguity, change, and accountability while maintaining momentum with trust.

    Enterprise AI in Practice

    Apply AI to create durable advantage shaping the future while empowering the present.

    Modernizing Technology

    Translate complex legacy into coherent, governable modern platforms.

    Cyber Risk and Recovery

    Strengthen resilience to cyber risk through governance, operations, and realistic preparedness.

  • Teaching, and Speaking:

    I teach and design courses for professionals who need to communicate, lead, and decide better in a technology-saturated world.

    From Communications for Customer Service Professionals at Sheridan College to Take the Ride : Learn in Motion, a leadership development programme, my focus is simple, to turn learning into motion - where learning leads to action.

  • Experience Snapshot:

    • Guided and recovered multi-hundred-million-dollar transformation programmes for major financial institutions.
    • Former Vice President, global cybersecurity, at Arctic Wolf Networks.
    • Advisor to investors and technology firms through AlphaSights, GLG, Third Bridge.
    • Board Vice-Chair and advisory council member in seniors' campuses with long-term-care, applying leadership in service of people, governance, and stewardship.

  • Connect with me!

    If you're facing decisions that require clarity, judgement, and steady leadership, I'm happy to connect:

    👉 Ray's Calendar - grab some time! [click here]

    You can also connect via LinkedIn or reach me at...

    MacDonald IT Executive Consulting logo

    Advisory

    Ray MacDonald LinkedIn account

    LinkedIn

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    Email

    @rayoflighttech IG public account

    Instagram

  • Ray of light on technology life

    Reflections on leadership, technology, and decision-making in real life.

    AI Bubble = Not! the Next Equilibrium = Re-valuation
    2025年8月28日 · ai bubble market tech valuations
    AI Bubble = Not! The Next Equilibrium = Re-valuation AI Bubble = Unlikely, yet the Next Equilibrium will True Up Future Valuations after exuberance! I see headlines frustrating to me everywhere asking: “Is AI a bubble?” or even some others stating, “The AI Bubble!” as if it exists to warn...
    Future Workplace:
    2021年5月7日
    The Future Workplace: Identifying a trifecta of vital transformations for the journey. Ray MacDonald -Technology Consultant, May 7, 2021 There are many publications, postings, and consulting firm recommendations about the future of work and how the workplace must at a minimum adopt to it, yet...
    Innovation while under Economic Shutdown
    2020年4月30日 · innovation,fightcovid,innovation canada
    Is the Price worth it? Some people wonder if the sudden shutdown of the economy is worth it to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve seen some celebrity business news folks openly wonder if it was worth the shutdown to “save the older generations”? I have a personal experience: in my family the COVID...

  • Education and development

    My perspective is grounded in both experience and continuous executive development...

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    Master Business Administration

    Executive MBA

    Athabasca University

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    Artificial Intelligence: Business Strategies and Applications

    Executive Development

    UC Berkeley Executive Education

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    Business Marketing

    Diploma

    Sheridan College

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    Leadership

    Executive Development

    Ivey Executive

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    Adult Learner-Focused Teaching

    Faculty Development

    Sheridan College

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    ITIL Certification

    Service Management (ITSM) Certification

    Pink Elephant

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    Managing IT Effectively

    Executive Development

    Ivey Executive (with CIPS)

  • Gallery

    Not highlights, but these are a few moments of formation — where scale, attention, and consequence became clearer.

    Radio City Music Hall, New York City in 2018
    Gartner Group Conference
    Hanz Zimmer at Radio City Music Hall stage 2018
    Toronto, Canada
    St. Ives, Cornwall, UK
    Neuschwanstein Castle Bavaria 1997
    Muskoka Chairs
    fresh snow at Bradley Museum, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
    Malin Bay, Co. Donegal, Ireland

  • "The network is the computer.

    Everything with a digital or electronic heartbeat will be connected to the Internet.”

    Scott mcnealY, former ceo sun microsystems (late 1990’s)

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