The MKE Tech Hub Coalition is guided by member organizations that help prioritize and shape our work. Collectively, member engagement extends our impact. It’s our pleasure to welcome two new board members, Ahmed Azam – Vice President, Infrastructure & Cloud Services at Northwestern Mutual and Bradley Crotty – Interim President & Chief Digital Officer Inception Health & Froedtert Health. 

As new board members and innovators shaping the future of tech in the region, we bring you this Q&A from Ahmed, whose responses are in blue and Bradley, whose responses are in yellow. 

1.  As a new board member, what unique perspective do you hope to bring based on your background and experience?

Ahmed: As a new board member, I bring over 20 years of leadership experience from a Fortune 100 company, where I have led large-scale IT and digital transformation initiatives. I have a track record of driving innovation through product management and DevOps practices, and I have led global teams to achieve significant business outcomes. This diverse experience equips me with a unique perspective on how technology can be leveraged to achieve strategic objectives and drive organizational success. 

Bradley: I am passionate about using technology to help our communities heal, learn, work, and live — while ensuring we do not lose our humanity in the process. My background in healthcare keeps me grounded in mission-driven work. As technology increasingly shapes our lives, I bring a perspective that balances innovation with human-centered values. I aim to help guide its development in ways that enhance wellbeing and align with our region’s strengths.

 

2. Can you share an experience from your career that shaped your leadership philosophy? How do you plan to apply these lessons in your board role?

Ahmed: One pivotal experience that shaped my leadership philosophy has been leading the digital transformation and cloud adoption at Northwestern Mutual. This experience taught me the importance of fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. In my board role, I plan to apply these lessons by advocating for a results-oriented approach, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and encouraging a culture of continuous learning and adaptability. 

Bradley: Early in my career, I had the privilege of having an office next to Dr. Warner Slack, a pioneer in using computers in medicine as early as the 1960s. He gave a sense of perspective and good life lessons every day. He taught me that computing should be both useful and intuitive, and that the quality of a system is often inversely related to the length of its instruction manual or required training. He was really focused on the people and their experience. It has shaped my focus on fostering an ecosystem that supports people at the center, ensuring innovation serves a meaningful purpose.

 

3. How do you see the role of ecosystem building in driving sustainable growth? What strategies would you recommend for strengthening partnerships within our region?

Ahmed: Ecosystem building is crucial for driving sustainable growth, as it involves creating a network of interconnected stakeholders who can support and amplify each other’s efforts. My role as a board member will involve facilitating connections between industry partners, community organizations, and other relevant entities. To strengthen partnerships within our region, I recommend: 

• • Developing joint initiatives that address common challenges and leverage shared resources
  • Establishing clear communication channels to ensure all partners are aligned and informed about ongoing projects and opportunities

Bradley: A thriving technology ecosystem depends on deep collaboration across the private sector, universities, foundations, and government. Universities are key engines of discovery, while businesses provide pathways for translating ideas into practical impact. We need to strengthen partnerships that help innovations move more seamlessly from research into commercialization, supporting early-stage companies through funding, mentorship, and shared resources. By fostering these connections, we can accelerate growth and position our region as a leader in technology-driven economic development. 
 

4. Looking ahead 3-5 years, what key challenges or opportunities do you see for the organization? How do you envision contributing to addressing them? 

Ahmed: Every great organization wants to make an impact in their communities at the same time there is real market and business pressures that we all acknowledge. I believe we need to leverage organizations such as the MKE Tech Hub Coalition to provide clear appreciable value to our beloved community and solve challenges for our business in a clear and crisp way. 

Bradley: We have a critical window to establish ourselves as a leading technology hub, leveraging our strengths in healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, and higher education, among others. As these industries become increasingly tech-enabled, we must develop talent pipelines and make Milwaukee a destination for top professionals and startups. Strengthening partnerships, investing in workforce development, and fostering a culture of collaboration will be essential. 

 

“We are excited to have Ahmed and Bradley join the MKE Tech Hub Coalition’s board,” said Molly Mulroy, Board Chair of the MKE Tech Hub Coalition. “We’ve already seen the value of their diverse perspectives, and we look to build on the momentum outlined in our 2024 Impact Report!”

If you’re interested in deepening your engagement with the MKE Tech Hub Coalition, please email Joe Poeschl, Director of Engagement.