Akshay Sapra | Technology, Data & AI Executive

About

Built for production AI,
not just slides.

I'm a technology and AI executive based in Sydney, currently leading technology and data at Love to Dream, a global consumer brand operating across 8 markets at $100M+ in annual D2C revenue.

Over the last four years I built the function end to end: a 22-source enterprise data platform, NetSuite ERP across 8 subsidiaries, and a production agentic operating model with shipped MCP server infrastructure and Claude skills in active organisational use. The function lifted team output three-fold while underwriting 95% YoY US growth and record sales months.

I'm one of a small group of executives in ANZ shipping production AI rather than presenting slide decks about it. Anthropic Partner Network member. Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD).

Before Love to Dream I worked at Coles ($40B+ revenue), Monash University, and Amdocs across 5 countries. Master of Data Science from Monash. Bachelor of Engineering, Computer Science, from RGPV. I believe the best technology leaders present an investment case to the board as fluently as they architect a data pipeline.

Impact

Numbers that matter.

Key outcomes from building and scaling global technology operations.

📊 $100M+

Annual Revenue Platform

Architected the enterprise technology stack underpinning $100M+ in annual global D2C revenue, enabling record $11.1M months and $3.2M BFCM invoicing weeks.

🤝 Anthropic

Partner Network Member

One of a small number of AI executives in ANZ with production deployments shipped. Built MCP server infrastructure, Claude skills, and an AI governance framework in active organisational use.

🤖 3×

AI-Driven Output Velocity

Deployed AI agents across development, ERP customisation, data pipelines, and financial analysis, achieving 3x output velocity with a lean team of 5.

🌏 8 in 4

Markets Launched in 4 Months

Led the technology delivery for launching 8 international D2C storefronts plus a B2B site in 4 months, achieving 4.8% conversion, 4.7 CSAT, 73 NPS from day one. Directly contributed to 95% YoY US sales growth.

📈 100%

BI Adoption

Built the entire data platform from scratch. 22 sources, 135+ reports, Power BI Champions program achieving universal adoption across all business functions.

🔒 Zero

Security Incidents

Established PCI-DSS, GDPR compliance, and enterprise data governance with zero security incidents over 4 years of global operations.

Case Studies

How I create value.

Selected projects demonstrating the intersection of technology investment and commercial outcomes.

Data Platform

Enterprise Data Platform: Zero to Scale

Inherited a company with no data infrastructure, no reporting, and all decisions made on gut feel. Designed and built the entire data platform from scratch, integrating 22 disparate sources (NetSuite, Shopify, logistics, marketing) into a unified Databricks lakehouse. Delivered 135+ automated reports and launched a Power BI Champions program that achieved 100% BI adoption across all business functions, from the CEO to warehouse managers. Delivered a 7-million-row analytical dataset directly supporting investor due diligence and the company sale process.

22 sources integrated 135+ reports 100% BI adoption 7M-row M&A dataset

AI Engineering

Production AI: MCP, Skills, Governance

Built custom MCP server infrastructure connecting Shopify, NetSuite, Salsify, Databricks, and Amazon SP-API into agentic workflows in production. Authored Claude skills for executive sales reporting, NetSuite query validation, retail calendar resolution, and brand-aware content generation, all in active organisational use. Established the company's AI governance framework covering acceptable use, data sovereignty across 8 markets, MCP write-access risk acceptance, and model risk. Anthropic Partner Network member.

MCP infrastructure Claude skills shipped Anthropic Partner Network AI governance framework

AI & Automation

AI Agentic Workforce: 3x Output Velocity

Identified that the majority of the team's effort was being spent on repetitive tasks across ERP customisation, data pipeline maintenance, financial reporting, and routine development. Designed and deployed production AI agents using Claude to automate these workflows. Achieved three-fold output velocity with a senior team of 5, eliminating contractor dependency. Shipped production GenAI features including product-fit Q&A and natural language analytics via Databricks MCP, with CEO-endorsed rollout to the wider organisation.

3x output velocity Senior team of 5 Production GenAI shipped CEO-endorsed rollout

Global Expansion

8 Markets in 4 Months: 95% US Sales Growth

Led the technology delivery for launching 8 international D2C storefronts and 1 B2B site in just 4 months, achieving 4.8% conversion rate, 4.7 CSAT, and 73 NPS from day one. Implemented NetSuite ERP across 8 global subsidiaries, unifying finance, supply chain, and operations with real-time executive dashboards. The platform directly contributed to 95% YoY US sales growth and record $11.1M revenue months.

8 storefronts in 4 months 95% YoY US growth $11.1M record month 4.8% conversion

MDM & Governance

Enterprise Governance, MDM and Compliance

With 8 international subsidiaries, 22 data sources, and no unified data model, the business had no single source of truth. Architected the enterprise MDM strategy that standardised product, customer, and financial data across all systems. Established firm-wide data governance, PCI-DSS compliance for global payments, GDPR controls for EU markets, and AI use policies covering data sovereignty and model risk. Standing presenter to executive leadership on cyber posture and AI governance.

8 subsidiaries unified PCI-DSS, GDPR AI governance framework Zero incidents (4 years)

Experience

Career timeline.

A decade of building, scaling, and transforming technology organisations.

Aug 2021 to Present

Head of Technology & Data

Love to Dream, Sydney, Australia (Global)

Member of the senior leadership team. Built the technology and data function end to end for this global consumer brand operating across 8 markets. Architected the data platform, ERP systems, e-commerce infrastructure, and production AI capabilities underpinning $100M+ in annual D2C revenue. Standing presenter to executive leadership on technology strategy, AI governance, and cyber posture.

Oct 2020 to Aug 2021

Senior Data Consultant

Coles, Melbourne, Australia

Led data strategy and cloud migration for Australia's second-largest supermarket chain ($40B+ revenue). Enhanced predictive analytics for inventory management and led enterprise data migration to Azure, delivering 40% operational efficiency improvement.

Jun 2018 to Oct 2020

Lead Software Engineer

Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

Led software engineering for the Faculty of IT. Designed enterprise systems serving 1,000+ academic staff. Published peer-reviewed research in Human-Computer Interaction.

Jun 2014 to Jun 2018

Lead Software Developer

Amdocs, USA, LATAM, India

Managed 30+ engineers across 5 countries delivering solutions for Telefónica and América Móvil (100M+ subscribers). Primary technical liaison across 3 time zones and 4 languages.

Built the $100M global D2C platform at Love to Dream with an AI-first operating model.

Built for production AI,
not just slides.

Numbers that matter.