Shawn Brinkley

Founder

Independent technical consulting practice focused on AI strategy, data architecture, and enterprise delivery in regulated industries.

• Lead data and application integration audits for clients, interviewing application teams across enterprise platforms, mapping data flows, identifying architectural patterns, and producing current-state assessments with future-state recommendations.
• Strategic planning for Fortune 500 CTO delivering Organizational Op Model and multi-year Tech Strategy, including AI enablement and advancement. Partnered with Tech PMO to establish metrics-driven tracking and visibility across the portfolio.
• Built and published five production-patterned AI systems covering RAG with multi-agent orchestration, document intelligence, agentic workflow automation, MCP-based tool interoperability, and provider-agnostic model abstraction. All systems built with evaluation from Day 1, AI governance as architecture, and no framework dependency.

Head of Engineering

• As part of the SLT, led the engineering practice for a technology consulting firm, responsible for 25–30 ML/AI, data, and software engineers across client delivery engagements. Defined the new talent bar for the AI-driven market and recruited to match.
• Oversaw engineering quality, staffing, delivery, and architectural direction across multiple concurrent client engagements in regulated industries. Partnered with sales and client stakeholders to scope and staff technical engagements.
• Direct client work including ML models, operating models, data audits, and tech strategies, plus most Principal-level C-Suite consulting for tech-forward engagements.
• Partnered with the Head of AI to train engineers and non-technical staff on leveraging AI in client and day-to-day work. Created an AI Studio sandbox for PoC and IP development.
• Coordinated multiple AI dev hackathons including Hack for RVA, winning the Thriving Neighborhoods pillar for SIMBY, an AI and community-driven engagement app built on real city development data.

Technical Program Manager (Consultant)

Contracted to support a VP-led initiative modernizing enterprise infrastructure, network, and digital traffic flow in preparation for AI/ML product development.

• Advised VP and C-Suite on targeted infrastructure improvements delivering the greatest operational and financial lift.
• Coordinated across enterprise architecture, network, and all digital customer-facing applications to improve efficiency, reduce outages, and strengthen stability.
• Identified enhancements — global routing, edge caching, additional production locations, service mesh — estimated at $500M to $1B in annualized savings.

Director of Innovation and Applied ML

Recruited to expand in-house AI/ML consulting and lead the Center for Machine Learning in transitioning ideas from proof-of-concept to enterprise-wide solutions. Built and led a nationally distributed, cross-functional team implementing AI/ML across Anti-Money Laundering, Fraud Detection, Corporate Strategy, Card, and Credit Risk Assessment.

• Built the ML Engineering organization from 6 to 30+ engineers, fostering a culture that achieved zero attrition for 3 years, a 100% leadership approval rating, and 88% staff engagement.
• Managed 4 Senior Managers as direct reports, running 4–6 ML programs simultaneously with a mandate to enable machine learning across nearly every department in the enterprise.
• Held dotted-line responsibility for data scientists, project, program, and product managers across delivery and research. Total organizational sphere of 35–40+ people.

• Spearheaded development of 15+ MVP solutions in FinTech and ML, focused on reusability and responsible technology for lines of business and VP-level stakeholders.
• Drove the organizational shift from bespoke solution design to an enterprise-wide model that streamlined project transitions and change management.
• Partnered with platform teams to onboard ML services to enterprise readiness, bridging proof-of-concept to production deployment.
• Served as SME for compliance with global, federal, state, and internal regulations relating to FinTech, ML, and responsible use of data. Built deliverables that survived Model Risk Governance review.

Information Technology Manager

Promoted to oversee IT operations, ensuring compliance with federally mandated technical regulations. Led cross-functional IT support teams including 8 direct reports and 20 project team members across multiple locations while owning a $20 million portfolio.

• Led the Cash Policy team for the largest software development program in the Federal Reserve's history, directing a global Agile development team facilitating more than $2 trillion in safe, secure transactions as part of the CASH application.
• Deployed a concierge support model and in-house DevOps solution, generating a new business line across multiple districts and establishing nationwide development practices.
• Administered independent project budgets between $2M and $5M, including rolling out the organization's largest software suite as a member of the project leadership team.
• Coordinated end-to-end server migration resulting in over $250,000 in annual cost savings.
• Executed initiatives in secure coding, test automation, and threat management, ensuring compliance with system standards.

Tech Lead, IT and Application Development

Navigated early adoption of critical systems, mobile technologies, and remote work infrastructure before transitioning to national-scale software development, leading testing, development, and orchestration of engineering teams.