Lori Schafer serves as CEO of Digital Wave Technology, a software solutions company that transforms retail, healthcare and consumer goods business processes through AI, workflow and automation. Schafer is a senior software executive and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in analytics (Predictive, AI, Generative AI), ecommerce, consumer products branding and retail merchandising and marketing.
Schafer writes about and consults with brands and retailers on digital transformation strategies that fit today’s world of omnichannel customer engagement. She has served on the board of directors of various public and private retailers, consumer goods companies, technology companies and trade associations, including the National Retail Federation. In 2010, she co-authored a business book bestseller, "Branded!: How Retailers Engage Consumers with Social Media and Mobility." The book accurately predicted how mobile, analytics and social media would change the face of retail in just a few short years.
Schafer is a Forbes Technology contributor and has been recognized twice by RETHINK Retail as a Top Retail Expert and Top AI Expert. She also was named a 2024 Top Women of Excellence by the Path to Purchase Institute, and a Most Influential Women by Mass Market Retailers.
Prior to Digital Wave, she spent 17 years serving as SVP, SAS Institute, leading the Global Retail/Consumer Brands Business Division. Earlier in her career, Schafer served as Chair/CEO of Marketmax, a merchandise and supply chain analytics software company. She also spent the early part of her career at Procter & Gamble in both IT and brand management. She graduated Summa Cum Laude, first in the School of Applied Science (Mathematics and Operations Research) from Miami University.
