Executive profile
Founder, Astai Tech & Consulting
Global Technology Executive | AI Strategy & Governance | Digital Transformation
Andrés Abad Rodríguez is a technology executive with more than 25 years of experience in technology, helping organizations navigate complex decisions and change. His career spans CERN, the World Health Organization, Gavi and Wella, combining executive leadership with a strong technical foundation. He founded to bring that experience closer to organizations that need clear advice, practical execution and the confidence to build their own capabilities.
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
Led Technology Delivery and Operations across Digital Product Evolution, Operations, User Support, Infrastructure, Change Management and PMO, with a global delivery organization of 185 people. Key outcomes included a 35% reduction in the Microsoft contract with no user impact, approximately US$0.7 million in annual licence savings, and the Gavi–UNICEF SAP integration, eliminating 2,000+ hours of manual administrative work annually.
Wella Company
Built and led Wella's global Digital PMO from July 2022 to October 2023, establishing its operating model, governance and executive decision-making frameworks supporting multi-year planning and coordination of a multimillion-dollar digital investment portfolio across more than 100 countries.
World Health Organization
Helped conceptualize and establish the WHO Innovation Hub, working closely with senior WHO leadership to define its scope, while leading major digital initiatives across WHO’s global web ecosystem.
CERN
Progressed from Software Engineer and Release Manager to Service Operations Manager, leading software lifecycle and continuous-integration services used by CERN and 28 institutions. Redesigned the service architecture using cloud resources, reducing required resources by approximately 75%.
Andrés leads by creating the conditions in which people can make sound decisions and own the result.
He makes the objective, constraints and decision rights explicit so teams know what they own and why it matters.
He gives capable people room to act, stays available when judgement is needed and keeps accountability tied to outcomes.
He uses questions, context and direct feedback to develop judgement rather than making every decision for the team.
He listens for what people are being asked to give up, learn or risk, then addresses those realities without lowering the bar.
He treats stronger leaders, more autonomous teams and transferable practices as an integral part of delivery.
Selected roles and contributions at the intersection of technology, governance and international cooperation.
Executive contribution
Contributed to the definition and development of Gavi’s organizational approach to artificial-intelligence policy.
Member / Individual Contributor · 2018–2021
Participated in the European Commission’s multi-stakeholder ecosystem for discussion and consultation around responsible artificial intelligence.
Member / Contributor · July 2018–March 2019
Contributed during his WHO tenure to international cooperation around the evaluation and responsible adoption of AI for health.
Research Group Member · January–April 2026
Participated in AI policy research and analysis through the CAIDP AI Policy Clinic, with work prepared for the AI & Democratic Values Index 2027.
Executive-in-Residence Fellow · March–June 2026
Completed a fellowship connecting executive technology practice with international-security and policy perspectives.
Advisory Board · since November 2024
Advisory contribution on artificial intelligence and quantum technology.
View the Foundation’s Advisory BoardSelected teaching and pro bono contributions alongside executive technology practice.
MBA / EMBA teaching · 2023–2025
Contributed to MBA and Executive MBA learning in Geneva, bringing practical technology and transformation experience into executive education.
Founder and Chairperson · April 2024–December 2025
Founded and chaired a multidisciplinary, pro bono initiative focused on AI for Government and Social Good, coordinating a network of more than 20 professionals across technology, data, public policy, education and ethics.
A concise selection, distinguishing academic degrees from executive education.
Academic degree
IE Business School · 2018
Academic degrees
University of Oviedo · 2003 / 2008
Academic degree
Universitat Oberta de Catalunya · 2007
Professional certificate
Stanford University · 2019
Executive education
MIT · 2020
Executive education
The Wharton School · 2024
Executive education
Saïd Business School, University of Oxford · 2026
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