At Portfolio BI, strong leadership and innovation drive our success, and Ewelina Obrzut is at the forefront of this vision. As Managing Director and Global Head of MSP, Ewelina plays a pivotal role in leading our professional services. With a career spanning over two decades in digital transformation and enterprise consulting, she brings a wealth of expertise in navigating complex business landscapes while fostering agility and innovation.
In this spotlight, we delve into Ewelina’s journey, leadership philosophy and the exciting developments she and her team are driving at PBI.
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Q&A with Ewelina Obrzut
Q: Please introduce yourself and tell us what your position is at PBI. What does your role entail on a daily basis?
A: I’m Ewelina Obrzut, Managing Director and Global Head of MSP at Portfolio BI. My role involves leading the professional services function, including technical presales, project delivery, operational escalations, and all client engagements. Day-to-day, I focus on ensuring our teams operate at peak performance while driving innovation and client satisfaction across our global footprint.
Q: What has your professional journey been like, and how has it led you to PBI?
A: My journey spans over two decades across global enterprises and consultancy firms, where I developed expertise in leading large-scale digital transformations. While working in larger organisations, I learned the intricacies of navigating complex systems but often felt innovation was hindered by bureaucracy. At PBI, I’m able to leverage my experience to foster agility, make impactful decisions quickly and deliver meaningful results to both the organisation and our clients.
Q: What appealed to you about joining PBI?
A: I was drawn to PBI for its prestigious client base, its clear and ambitious vision, and the opportunity to immerse myself in a dynamic industry. I also recognised the potential for personal and professional growth, as PBI’s collaborative and innovative culture fosters creativity and continuous improvement.
Q: What are the biggest challenges you face in your role? How do you overcome them?
A: The biggest challenges often lie in balancing the dynamic needs of our clients with the operational demands of a global MSP organisation. To overcome this, I focus on fostering clear communication, leveraging diverse team expertise and maintaining a client-centric mindset. I also ensure that we embrace agile methodologies, allowing us to adapt swiftly and efficiently to evolving demands.
Q: What drives your passion and commitment to your role? What motivates you on a daily basis?
A: I’m motivated by working with a phenomenal team that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and shared success. PBI’s culture of transparency, mutual respect and open communication inspires me to continually push boundaries. Additionally, the privilege of working with visionary clients and seeing our solutions create measurable impact keeps me energised and passionate.
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Leading a global MSP at PBI
Q: What do you find most fulfilling about leading global MSP operations? How do you ensure your leadership resonates across diverse teams and regions?
A: The most fulfilling aspect of my role is seeing our teams and clients succeed. Leadership, for me, is about trust and inspiration. I’ve embraced principles from the book Trust and Inspire by Stephen R Covey, recommended by our CEO, which align with my leadership philosophy. By respecting cultural differences, recognising individual strengths, and challenging my team when needed, I ensure alignment across regions while empowering individuals to grow.
Q: What do you think sets successful MSP leaders apart in managing both operational complexity and client relationships?
A: Successful MSP leaders strike a balance between operational excellence and client focus. They excel at building resilient teams, understanding the unique needs of clients and maintaining a forward-thinking approach to technology and service delivery. The ability to manage complexity while fostering genuine client relationships is what truly differentiates leaders in this space.
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Looking ahead: PBI’s innovations for 2025
Q: What is the most exciting new project or offering that your team is working on for 2025?
A: Our team is thrilled about two groundbreaking initiatives for 2025:
● PBI Insights – Leveraging cutting-edge machine learning and large language models, this solution empowers clients with instant answers, analytics and trend visualisations, revolutionising how they interact with data.
● Security SME Offering – This includes advisory services, AI-powered penetration testing and enhanced Sentinel capabilities, positioning us as leaders in proactive security solutions.
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Final thoughts
Ewelina Obrzut’s leadership and vision are shaping the future of PBI’s MSP division, ensuring that both clients and internal teams continue to thrive in an ever-evolving industry. Her commitment to innovation, operational excellence and client-centricity makes her a key driver of PBI’s success.
With major initiatives on the horizon, including PBI Insights and Security SME Offering, the future looks incredibly promising for the professional services team under Ewelina’s leadership.
Stay tuned for more updates on how PBI is driving transformation in 2025 and beyond, with further spotlights pieces on other members of the PBI leadership team.
