Technology leader with 20+ years of experience driving enterprise software adoption and digital transformation, currently leading high-performing pre-sales engineering teams at GitLab, a major DevSecOps platform.

Proven track record of building diverse technical teams, developing go-to-market strategies, and accelerating revenue growth through consultative sales approaches. Deep expertise in DevOps, Security, and AI combined with broad experience across software development, technical sales, and business technology consulting makes me an effective leader who can bridge business objectives with technical solutions. Strong focus on developing talent, fostering inclusive team environments, and driving operational excellence through data-driven decision making.

Results and clients-oriented, value-driven, self-organized, initiative, enterprising. Possess naturally global mindset confirmed by a number of diverse multicultural and multidisciplinary experiences.

Email Address

GitLab

  • dzalbo

Mobile Number

  • +31 6 58 84 9871
Work Experience

GitLab Inc.

(Senior) Manager, Solutions ArchitectureAPR 2022 - PRESENT

• Leads and develops a team of high performing 10 Solutions Architects supporting ~50 Account Executives across EMEA (predominantly Mid-Market)
• Oversees strategic customer engagements and technical relationship development
• Designs and implement technical evaluation processes and metrics for improved deal qualification.
• Drives technical sales strategy and forecast accuracy through collaboration with Sales Leadership. Developed and scaled several internal processes that improved regional sales forecast accuracy
• Champions cross-functional initiatives to improve operational efficiency and sales effectiveness
• Consistently achieves 100% team adherence to internal ceritication and enablement requirements
• Built and scaled successful Early-in-Career Associate EMEA program developing new generation of pre-sales engineers, and significantly improving diversity metrics (achieving ~60% female representation)
• Consistently maintained high team engagement scores while managing significant organizational changes

(Senior) Solutions Architect (Enterprise) SEP 2019 - APR 2022

• Acted as a trusted advisor to Enterpise organizations on matters of Digital Transformation: improving quality and speed, optimizing efficiencies and minimizing risks of modern software development
• In partnership with the sales team, formulated and executed a sales strategy
• Guided technical evaluations via POC/POV ownership, RFP/audit support and workshop design
• Served as the customer advocate to other GitLab teams including Product Development, Sales and Marketing
• Presents GitLab platform strategy, concepts and roadmap to technical leaders within customer organizations

Smartrac Technology Group

Solutions ArchitectNOV 2018 - AUG 2019

• Supported the company in establishing new RFID Services and Solutions business (EMEA)
• Acted as an internal evangelist for Product Management and Sales teams transitioning into a service organization
• Responsible for the qualification process of customer engagements and delivery of solution blueprints
• Acted as a 'voice of customer' in defining requirements for new standard solutions

Mieloo & AlexanderHoofddorp, Netherlands

Manager Solution DevelopmentJAN 2015 - OCT 2018

(Senior) Technology ConsultantAPR 2008 - DEC 2014

• Managed Solution Development team (10 FTE) daily operations
• Introduced emerging technologies (RFID/NFC, IoT, M2M, Big Data, CEP, Cloud computing) to customers in Automotive, Logistics, Fashion & Retail industries via workshops and consulting assignments
• Acted as solution consultant and lead architect for turn-key projects
• Member of European Commission's "Future Internet Private-Partnership Programme" (FI-PPP), "FiSpace Business Collaboration", "Internet of Food & Farm 2020" projects.
• Managed company's IT offerings portfolio and services catalogue
• Introduced ITIL framework to Company's Technology Department with strong focus on Service Strategy, Design and Transition lifecycle stages.

McKinsey & CompanyPrague, Czech Republic

IT AnalystAUG 2006 - FEB 2007

• On daily basis provided solution consultancy to IT Service requesters (negotiated deadlines and pricing, explained IT options to a non-technical audience and assisted in solutions design)
• Supported internal customers in the delivery of High Visibility Global surveys through proactive advisory on content, layout and semiotics
• Executed projects based on Scrum methodology
• Established SLAs and OLAs with external vendors and outsourcing partners
• Served as Release manager for application development projects (up to 15 Man-days)

TomskSoftTomsk, Russia

Software EngineerNOV 2004 - FEB 2005

• Led development team in implementation and testing of web-interface for Online Video Conferencing service (400 Man-days)
• Assisted Senior Software Architects in preparing system functional design and software requirement specifications
• Optimized SQL database usage for a popular Video Chat Rooms service (with average 150K online users), decreasing required hardware costs by 40%

TomicaTomsk, Russia

Software EngineerFEB 2003 - NOV 2004

• Prepared Company online billing system for National Standards Compliancy Certification
• Proactively supported 200 business clients of Web-hosting and Web-applications development services on daily basis
• Designed and implemented Company Customer Support System, which resulted in 27% decrease of average time for standard Clients operations

Languages
  • English
  • Russian
  • Dutch
  • Italian
Why We Should Work Together

  • I am a strategic leader experienced in scaling pre-sales organizations and driving revenue growth
  • With proven track record building diverse, high-performing technical teams
  • Deep technical expertise in DevSecOps, Cloud, Security, and AI/ML
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills bridging Sales, Product, and Engineering
  • International mindset with experience leading global teams and enterprise customers
  • Track record of successful organizational transformation and change management

Education

Alta Scuola PolitecnicaMilano, Italy

Management of Innovation2005 - 2007

A school for young talents who want to develop their interdisciplinary capabilities for leading and promoting innovation, founded by Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino.
ASP gives to 150 promising students an opportunity to participate in an additional advanced programme, that runs in parallel to the MSc courses. combining in-depth (vertical) disciplinary knowledge with interdisciplinary (horizontal) skills that are needed to work and contribute leadership in a truly multidisciplinary and multicultural environment.

Politecnico di MilanoMilano, Italy

MSc in Information Technology and Communication2005 - 2007

• International Degree with emphasis on computer-mediated communication and semiotics
• Was awarded Alta Scuola Politecnica scholarship (ASP)
• Interned as a CRM Analyst at Oracle Professional Services Group
• Collaborated with the Association of Russian Communities in Italy in identification and designing of new communication channels as a part of thesis dissertation.

Tomsk Polytechnic UniversityTomsk, Russia

MSc in Computer Science2005 - 2007

• Double degree program in partnership with Politecnico di Milano
• Full state scholarship
• Final grade: 5/5

Tomsk Polytechnic UniversityTomsk, Russia

BSc in Computer Science2001 - 2005

• One of the top technical institutions in Russia
• Full state scholarship
• Participated in academic exchange programme with Czech Technical University in Prague (1 semester)
• Thesis: Implementation of Database Cache Management in XML native database systems
• Collaborated with Czech Technical University in Prague in the Development of new Database Cache Management system as a part of thesis dissertation
• Final grade: 5/5