In a world where the rapid pace of technological change often leaves companies scrambling to keep up, there’s a leader who knows that the real key to transformation is understanding the bigger picture. He doesn’t rush straight into tech but instead begins by stepping back, asking the fundamental question—Why? What business problem is being solved? What experience is being created for the customer? And most importantly, how can technology fit into that equation in the most meaningful way?
This approach has shaped the career of Cristian Paun, the Head of Digital, Data and AI at Waystone. Rather than diving headfirst into technology stacks, Cristian believes that it’s the why that truly drives innovation. His philosophy is simple but powerful: technology should never be the starting point; it should be the tool that amplifies what’s already great about business.
At Waystone, Cristian has made continuous learning a cornerstone of the company culture. Every second Friday, employees dedicate half their day to studying the latest in digital technologies. But beyond tech, it’s his focus on curiosity, creativity, and adaptability that sets the tone. Through his weekly “Friday’s Inspirational Thought,” he encourages the team to challenge the status quo, uncover new perspectives, and spark fresh ideas.
Cristian’s leadership isn’t about tech for tech’s sake—it’s about ensuring that every decision, every innovation, and every step forward is driven by a deep understanding of the business needs. It’s this blend of strategic thinking, curiosity, and adaptability that has made him an essential leader in digital transformation at Waystone.
Driving Digital Transformation
Cristian Paun is a dynamic change-maker and innovator with a strong ability to tell compelling stories that inspire a growth mindset. His career has been centered around understanding the powerful connection between technology and successful business outcomes, focusing on driving both top-line growth and cost reduction programs. As a technology thought leader and advisor, Cristian has successfully implemented transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotic process automation (RPA), and the Internet of Things (IoT) to generate significant business value.
As a certified business designer and international keynote speaker, Cristian excels at helping companies transform their business ideas into viable digital business models. His unique approach allows organizations to leverage technology in ways that enhance their competitive edge and streamline operations.
Cristian brings this wealth of experience to his role as Head of Digital, Data and AI at Waystone, a leading global provider of institutional governance, administration, risk and compliance services to the asset management industry.
Partnering with institutional investors, investment funds and asset managers, Waystone builds, supports and protects investment structures and strategies worldwide. With over 20 years of experience and a comprehensive range of specialist services to its name, Waystone provides its clients with the guidance and tools to allow them to focus on managing their investment goals with confidence.
Formed from a merger between DMS, Montlake and MDO, Waystone launched in March 2021 to create a leading, global governance and third-party management company that is unparalleled in terms of portfolio of services and talent.
Waystone’s clients benefit from an expanded suite of services and dedicated and highly qualified employees based in well-established operations in Luxembourg, Ireland, the UK, North America, the Cayman Islands and Asia.
Cristian’s expertise in digital transformation and technology-driven solutions is helping the company maintain its leadership in this competitive and rapidly changing industry.
4 Pillar Approach to Integrating Technology with Business
In his current role, Cristian Paun leads Digital, Data, and AI at Waystone, where he plays a pivotal role in supporting the business on its digital and AI journey. His focus is on driving transformation through four core pillars:
- Align Digital and Business: Cristian ensures that digital and AI strategies are defined in close alignment with the company’s business needs, ensuring a seamless integration of technology and business objectives.
- Optimize the Core: He leads initiatives to automate core processes that have high business and customer impact, improving efficiency and enhancing customer experience.
- Generate Growth: By digitalizing the company’s product offerings, Cristian is instrumental in scaling the business and uncovering future growth opportunities.
- Transform the Business: Cristian helps turn business ideas into valuable propositions that truly matter to customers, driving meaningful innovation.
From his perspective, these four pillars are essential to successfully integrating technology into any organization. His approach emphasizes starting with the business, ensuring that the technologies implemented align with the goals that will have the highest impact for both the customer and the business.
Building a Digital Future
Cristian Paun firmly believes that before diving into technologies, companies need to take a step back and reflect on their WHY. It’s crucial to first understand how a new digital business model will be designed, how a unique and superior customer experience will be created, and only then select the right tech stack—whether it’s AI, RPA, ML, IoT, or others.
Cristian shares several examples of how this approach has translated into real-world success. For instance, implementing an IoT platform powered by AI helped customers significantly reduce operational costs, while the development of a state-of-the-art data platform has the potential to radically transform how data is consumed and shared. Additionally, leveraging AI for marketing material validation is another example of how technology can drive efficiency and support digital transformation.
To foster a culture of continuous learning and growth, Cristian has implemented a policy at Waystone where employees dedicate half of their day to studying digital technologies every second Friday. His philosophy echoes the famous quote: “What if we don’t train our employees and they stay?”—A reminder that upskilling is essential to stay ahead in a constantly evolving digital landscape.
Aligning Data, Governance and Business Needs
Every Friday, Cristian shares a “Friday’s Inspirational Thought” with his team, a thought-provoking message aimed at sparking new ideas and encouraging creative thinking. These insights serve as a reminder that innovation doesn’t just come from the latest technology; it often starts with a shift in perspective.
From his experience, Cristian believes that all elements of a data program must work in harmony. For example, you can’t have data accessibility without proper governance and security. This interconnected approach underpins his belief that designing a comprehensive operating model is crucial for any data program, no matter the industry.
Cristian always circles back to business needs when driving initiatives. By understanding and addressing these needs, he not only secures buy-in from stakeholders but also uncovers similar requirements across various departments. He sees each process as part of a larger ecosystem, where the output of one process can seamlessly become the input for another, ensuring that everyone in the organization benefits from digital transformation.
Focus on Business Value, Momentum and Action
Cristian Paun often surprises people by not placing heavy emphasis on technical skills when it comes to digital transformation. Instead, he believes that qualities like curiosity, challenging the status quo, creativity, and adaptability are far more crucial for anyone aspiring to succeed in these roles. In his view, it’s these attributes that truly drive innovation and enable individuals to navigate the complexities of a digital-first world.
For Cristian, the success of digital transformation is not about the sheer number of initiatives launched but about building momentum and focusing on delivering tangible business value. It’s the consistent and strategic progress that makes a difference, not just the speed of implementation.
He encourages organizations to take action and avoid getting bogged down in endless analysis or proof-of-concept projects. His advice is simple: Just do it. The longer you wait, the more painful and costly the journey will be. Cristian also recommends placing digital bets on a few key areas aligned with his four pillars: automating core processes, generating growth, and transforming the business. By focusing on these areas, organizations can create a clear path to meaningful digital transformation.
