Michelle McKenna

Michelle spent over two decades as a senior leader within Disney, Universal Studios, and the NFL leveraging technology to improve the human experience. Michelle brings her technical expertise and leadership acumen to C-Suite executives as they consider how to tackle their toughest challenges with the team they have, the technology available, and the leadership they possess. Her goal is to empower leaders to achieve the optimal outcome of any endeavor.

When she joined Disney in a strategic planning role, she fell in love with technology, data analytics, and their implications on the guest experience, eventually becoming vice president of information technology. In this role, she led the Destination Disney Project and was part of the launch of Disney Cruise Line, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, and New Hotels and Resorts. She later joined Universal studios as CIO and implemented the technology for Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

In 2012, Michelle joined the NFL as senior vice president and the league’s first CIO.  Over 10 Seasons with the league she led a major digital transformation for the league and brought new technologies for players, coaches, and fans.

Michelle is an experienced Public Board Director, her strong technology, operations, marketing, and financial background make her both a strategic and operationally insightful member of the boards on which she serves. She is also an active investor and advisor to private companies through private equity and venture capital. She has been a guest on CNN, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, Morning Joe, Good Day New York, Cheddar and is a sought-after speaker on topics of technology, operational change, and women in leadership.

In 2022 she founded her latest venture, The Michelle McKenna Collaborative – a platform and firm that encompasses all she brings as an advisor, investor, writer, and speaker. At the intersection of technology, sports, media, entertainment, and inclusivity, Michelle continues to do what she does best-collaborating to win. She is dedicated to advising organizations and executives about how to maximize their people and technology to deliver the best customer experiences and transformational growth.

Michelle has numerous awards and honors including: 2022 CIO Hall of Fame Inductee, 2020 Outlier Awards Honoree, 2019 Most Notable Women in Tech award, and 2014 Sports Business Journal Game-Changer Award.

Michelle lives in New York and Florida.