Alex Valcelli
Toronto
Summary
Results-driven leader with a proven track record in strategic management and organizational growth, adept at developing and executing impactful business strategies that optimize processes and enhance team performance. Recognized for adaptability and effective collaboration, consistently delivering measurable outcomes in fast-paced environments while fostering a positive team culture. Experienced in strategic planning and project management, leveraging strong communication and problem-solving skills to drive operational excellence and achieve high-impact results. Dynamic director with comprehensive knowledge of production writing and technical operations, dedicated to transforming underperforming organizations into top revenue producers through innovative solutions and streamlined operations.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of IT & Digital Services
CANES Community Care
10.2024 - Current
- Executed a comprehensive 3-year digital modernization strategy that reduced IT operating costs by 30% through effective cloud transformation and infrastructure optimization.
- Championed the deployment of enterprise cybersecurity platforms (CrowdStrike, Proofpoint, Zscaler, Arctic Wolf) and established governance aligned with ISO 27001 standards.
- Migrated legacy Exchange systems to Microsoft Azure; transitioned financial operations to Business Central; rolled out Microsoft 365 productivity tools across the organization.
- Formulated enterprise data governance policies and KPI dashboards, enhancing visibility into performance metrics and incident response times.
- Served as the executive liaison to the Board on cybersecurity and technology risks, translating complex technical insights into strategic business narratives.
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance community care programs and service delivery.
- Developed and implemented policies to improve operational efficiency across organizational departments.
- Oversaw budget management, ensuring effective utilization of resources in program operations.
- Analyzed program performance metrics to drive data-informed decisions and continuous improvement.
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
Director of Systems & Information Technology
Toronto Port Authority
06.2021 - 12.2024
- Managed IT strategy and operations for a multi-site infrastructure serving over 500 users; supervised an annual OpEx/CAPEX budget exceeding $4.5M.
- Spearheaded transformative digital initiatives, including cloud adoption, cybersecurity modernization, and data center migration to enhance operational efficiency.
- Instituted a new Third-Party Administrator (TPA) network utilizing SD-WAN technology, bolstering performance and security across all remote sites.
- Developed a comprehensive governance framework and a multi-year financial forecast model, enabling proactive IT investment planning and enhancing executive visibility.
- Achieved network uptime of 99.98% while reducing cybersecurity incidents through structured risk management and employee awareness programs.
- Led strategic planning initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.
- Developed and implemented policies ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and best practices.
- Oversaw budget management, optimizing resource allocation for maximum impact on port operations.
- Spearheaded risk assessment strategies identifying potential challenges and mitigating impacts on operations.
- Fostered cross-functional collaboration among stakeholders to align goals and improve project outcomes.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
Manager of IT & Cybersecurity
Elexicon Energy
01.2020 - 12.2021
- Directed a team of nine IT analysts supporting over 1,000 users; oversaw an annual budget of $2.9M.
- Executed a robust cybersecurity roadmap that facilitated remote operations during COVID-19, ensuring compliance with PIPEDA/GDPR regulations.
- Engineered and established enterprise Azure cloud infrastructure along with disaster recovery strategies, ensuring operational continuity throughout disruptions.
- Established SLA-driven service desk metrics that improved response and resolution times by 45%.
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and streamline project workflows.
- Developed and implemented training programs to improve team performance and knowledge retention.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align business objectives with operational strategies.
- Analyzed market trends to inform decision-making and drive organizational growth strategies.
- Oversaw budget management, ensuring alignment with financial goals and resource allocation efficiency.
- Facilitated stakeholder engagement sessions to enhance communication and foster collaboration across departments.
- Evaluated process improvements, resulting in optimized resource utilization and reduced operational costs.
IT Manager
EDI Gateway
10.2018 - 12.2020
- Managed a team of 15 software developers responsible for delivering enterprise web portals utilized by thousands of vendors to ensure compliance with EDI standards.
- Accelerated client onboarding time by 35% through system automation and process redesign initiatives, enhancing overall service delivery.
- Advised executive leadership on IT investment strategies, ensuring alignment with broader business expansion objectives.
- Led IT initiatives to enhance system performance and reliability across organizational platforms.
- Managed cross-functional teams to implement solutions that improved operational efficiency and reduced downtime.
- Directed the implementation of cybersecurity measures, safeguarding sensitive data against potential threats and breaches.
- Oversaw vendor relationships, negotiating contracts for software and hardware procurement to optimize expenditures.
- Developed strategic IT policies aligning technology with business goals, fostering innovation in departmental processes.
- Managed vendor relationships for hardware, software, and services procurement, ensuring quality products at competitive prices.
- Oversaw technology budget planning and allocation to optimize resource utilization while meeting organizational objectives.
- Established a robust IT service management framework based on industry standards such as ITIL, driving quality improvements and operational excellence.
- Led a skilled IT team in providing exceptional technical support, fostering a collaborative environment that promoted professional growth.
- Contributed to the successful completion of numerous high-profile projects by providing expert guidance on technology strategy, infrastructure design, and implementation best practices.
IS/IT Manager – Legal & Regulatory
Bell Canada
01.2001 - 12.2018
- Oversaw technology operations supporting 55,000 users across national divisions, ensuring seamless service delivery and user satisfaction.
- Directed the implementation of secure file transfer protocols and wireless infrastructure specifically for legal and finance units, enhancing data protection.
- Collaborated closely with corporate security teams to strengthen the company's defense posture and improve disaster recovery frameworks.
- Implemented cybersecurity measures, enhancing data protection and compliance standards.
- Streamlined IT processes, improving efficiency and reducing operational costs significantly.
- Analyzed emerging technologies, recommending integrations that drive business growth and innovation.
- Oversaw vendor relationships, negotiating contracts to secure favorable terms and services.
- Developed custom IT solutions to address specific business needs, driving operational improvements and cost savings.
- Spearheaded disaster recovery efforts during critical incidents, restoring systems functionality quickly to minimize downtime and maintain business continuity.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations by implementing comprehensive IT policies and procedures covering data privacy, security, and access controls.
- Oversaw IT department operations and training.
Education
Bachelor's - Computer Science
Concordia
Montreal, Canada05.1998
Skills
- Directed enterprise IT strategy aligned with business objectives and growth initiatives
Partnered with executive leadership and business stakeholders to translate needs into technology solutions
Oversaw IT operations, infrastructure, and service delivery to ensure performance, availability, and scalability
Led cybersecurity governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management programs
Developed and executed business continuity and disaster recovery strategies
Architected and optimized cloud and on-prem infrastructure, including Microsoft Azure environments
Implemented cybersecurity frameworks, incident response processes, and organization-wide awareness training
Managed vendor relationships, contracts, and third-party service performance
Established and monitored KPIs, service desk metrics, and data-driven performance improvements
Championed process optimization, automation, and organizational change initiatives
Led IT project and portfolio management, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery
Directed network architecture, SD-WAN, and enterprise security initiatives
Oversaw ERP implementations and enterprise application integrations
Managed Windows Server, endpoint, and network systems administration teams
Fostered cross-functional collaboration and adoption of collaborative technology platforms
Improved operational efficiency through strategic decision-making and clear executive communication
LANGUAGES
English Fluent
French Fluent
Italian Fluent
Spanish Intermediate
INTERESTS
Cybersecurity, Hiking, Camping, Cooking
Timeline
Director of IT & Digital Services
CANES Community Care
10.2024 - Current
Director of Systems & Information Technology
Toronto Port Authority
06.2021 - 12.2024
Manager of IT & Cybersecurity
Elexicon Energy
01.2020 - 12.2021
IT Manager
EDI Gateway
10.2018 - 12.2020
IS/IT Manager – Legal & Regulatory
Bell Canada
01.2001 - 12.2018
Bachelor's - Computer Science
Concordia