Dr Russell Avre

Steering Committee Member

Avre is a distinguished professional with over a decade of experience in executive leadership, program management, business development, and strategic innovation, primarily within the technology and business sectors. His expertise spans fostering strategic partnerships, executing transformative programs, and guiding teams through complex transitions in dynamic environments.

Avre is currently the Executive Director for Business Incubation and Innovation at Markeytivy - a digital marketplace ecosystem and a freelance platform for people of color all over the world. As lead director, responsible for early-stage concept and product and a key part of the innovation process, he is initiating impactful partnerships and research initiatives to foster the business.

Most recently he served as Executive Director for Business Development at Glappy, leading the organization’s business development and partnership in a social impact startup that empowers underrepresented groups to transition into technology through upskilling and technical career guidance. He also managed all aspects of the organization, including developing and implementing innovative marketing strategies, increasing visibility, expanding corporate and community relations, supervision, budget management, and supporting research and the pursuit of grants (not exclusively).

Previously, he was Head of Transition and Program Management of DIRECTV (Infosys), one of the world's leading providers of digital television entertainment services, and the partner of choice for Infosys Limited, a multinational information technology company that provides business consulting, information technology and outsourcing services. A trusted advisor to the leadership team, Avre played a pivotal role in the organization’s Agile transition post-AT&T divestiture.

He was Lead Program Manager at Toyota, (Infosys) in 2022, partnering with ITSMs, Agile coaches, Scrum Masters, and Product Management towards measurable Agile outcomes and in lock steps with the Delivery excellence LOB. He also coached Agile coaches on adopting the lean mindset consistent with the Toyota Way.

Avre served as Program Manager at Truist Bank, (Infosys) in 2021 where he collaborated with team coaches and Agile COE through the SAFe implementation on a high visibility M&A of Suntrust and BB&T bank.

Prior to this, he was Release Train Engineer (RTE) and Agile Portfolio Coach at Blue Cross Blue Shield, New York City, where he was Agile Program Coach, Release Train Engineer (RTE) for a large Agile Release Train (ART) with over 15 Scrum teams implementing a modernization effort using Version one ALM.

In addition, Avre was Vice President for Agile Delivery and Coaching at Problem Space in New York; Project Delivery Manager, Agile Portfolio Coach at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in New York; Agile Coach/Change Management Lead/RTE at the Miami, Florida based Independent Purchasing Cooperative (IPC) - a Subway Franchisee-owned company, responsible for the supply chain processes for the more than 43,000 Subway restaurants globally.

Besides proving himself as a transformative Agile leader, demonstrating an exceptional capacity to adapt and respond to the ever-evolving challenges within the technology and business sectors, Avre is the Founder and CEO of Glappy Foundation, a passionate advocate of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and works tirelessly to raise awareness about the issues that underlie poverty and inequality in Africa.

Through his entrepreneurial endeavors, he has established and supported numerous remarkable initiatives that empower local communities, create economic opportunities, and address effects of colonization and other root causes of poverty.

As a dedicated and visionary social entrepreneur with unique ability to promote collaboration and lead teams effectively, Avre brings to UNCM an extensive background in transformative leadership. His proven track record of driving results and his ability to navigate complex organizational landscapes aligns well with the Steering Committee’s objective to promote effective and impactful governance.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Master of Business Administration and Information Technology, and a PhD in Organizational Leadership from University of Benin, CMJ University and Newburgh College respectively.