On Monday the 26th of September, NewEdj LLC launched their official release as banking and technology consultants. Their difference, the two founders are proudly out as LGBTIQ+ in industry sectors not known for being open-minded. Rachael Evans MA, FCMI, a former international investment banker and research academic based in the United Kingdom and Krysten Bacan, a 25+ year veteran of the technology MSP business in the United States. Rachael supports her work with her Ted Talks and conference talks on intersex rights whilst Krysten speaks on Transgender issues.
Both financial services and technology are seen as a closed shop to females, more so with those that are also gender variant and this move is seen to be the first entirely LGBTIQ+ owned specialist that covers both sectors.
Nowadays customers understand what they want, they're more technically 'savvy' now than ever. They know what they want, and they often know what it looks like. They have a strong product focus. The challenge is that most don't understand how to deliver it. They understand they need to build it, often with what components and tools but the execution is where they lack experience. Rachael and Krysten aim to bring their experience in delivery and optimisation to the table and help their partners to deliver their products in a more predictable, reliable, and consistent manner. Using structured methods, and assessment models such as CMMI and CoBit, a roadmap is provided to show the partners and, if required, help them to deliver their products.
Rachael is a Business Strategy & Management Specialist whose career to date has included time with Microsoft, Vodafone, Credit Suisse, UBS, and Bank of America amongst other household names. Rachael’s career initially commencing in the Royal Navy moved into technology before becoming a Currency Trader. She later returned to technology as a Senior Manager at Microsoft working on the first Xbox where she won multiple awards. Rachael then resumed as an investment banker where she worked in the US, Ireland, and Switzerland as an advisor on banking transformation and strategy. Rachael is currently the CEO/ President of a US-based management consulting organisation. Away from her day job, Rachael is a leadership mentor to the CEO of Finite Reflection Games in the US and a member of the Management team at a Formula One racing team. Finally, Rachael holds a Research Masters, is a published business author, a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.
Over nearly 3 decades Krysten has worn a lot of hats, including Chief Technology Officer, IT Director, Security Specialist, Network Architect, and trusted Advisor to both large and small businesses. She built a reputation as a premier IT Problem Solver on a national and international scale -- from legal and accounting firms to municipalities, manufacturing, not-for-profit and lifestyle businesses.