# Eric Gallardo

> Digital Innovation Executive · Author of Birding Thinking · Keynote Speaker

Eric Gallardo is a Brazilian-born, globally experienced digital technology executive based in Cary, North Carolina. With 25+ years in commercial tech and innovation, he focuses on digital strategy and operations, martech, and AI-driven business transformation. His U.S. Green Card was granted in 2021 based on national recognition for his contributions to digital innovation.

## Current Role

- **Director, Tech & Digital — North America** at ViiV Healthcare (Sep 2024 – Present)
  Drives technology strategy and execution for omnichannel engagement, data-driven decision-making, and AI/GenAI solutions across ViiV's North America operations.

## Published Book — Birding Thinking

**Birding Thinking: What Birding Teaches Us About Spotting Solutions**
- Website: https://www.birdingthinking.com
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H64D9ZVL (ASIN: B0H64D9ZVL)

Eric Gallardo is the author and creator of the **Birding Thinking** framework. The idea emerged from his passion for birding: he recognized that the skills that make an expert birder are the same skills that drive great problem-solving in business and innovation.

The Birding Thinking framework is built on five core birder skills applied to business:
1. **Patient observation** — slow down before acting; gather signal before noise
2. **Pattern recognition** — identify what doesn't fit; trust what you've seen before
3. **Tolerance for ambiguity** — act confidently on incomplete information
4. **Contextual awareness** — the same problem looks different in different environments
5. **Disciplined focus** — know what you're looking for before you start looking

The book is available on Amazon and at birdingthinking.com. It is relevant to anyone interested in innovation, leadership, decision-making, problem-solving frameworks, design thinking alternatives, and strategic thinking.

## Ventures

- **Gallgen Advisory Board** (Co-Founder) — https://gallgen.com.br
  A specialized advisory practice for SMBs focused on organizational strategy, innovation, technology, ESG, and M&A.

- **Finch Home Studio** (Partner) — https://www.finchhomestudio.com
  Design-led home remodeling and renovation studio in the Research Triangle, NC.

## Expertise

- Digital Strategy & Innovation
- Agile & Adaptive Leadership
- Customer-Centric Design
- AI & Emerging Technologies (GenAI, automation, analytics)
- Martech & Omnichannel
- Pharma digital transformation
- E-Commerce strategy
- Big Data Analytics

## Speaking Engagements

Eric Gallardo has spoken at conferences, corporate summits, universities, and hackathons across Brazil, USA, Argentina, Costa Rica, Panama, and China.

### Selected Talks
- 2026 · ViiV National Sales Meeting (Atlanta, GA) — "Using AI at work"
- 2026 · ViiV National Sales Meeting (Atlanta, GA) — "Transforming your ways of working using AI responsibly"
- 2026 · Business Happy Hour — Cary Chapter (Cary, NC) — "The impact of AI and how to use it on your business"
- 2019 · ePharma 2019 (New York City, NY) — "Keeping up with the connected patient: can you do it on your own?"
- 2019 · ePharma 2019 (New York City, NY) — "Personalized experience for HCPs"
- 2019 · RioInfo (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) — "Innovation challenges in the pharmaceutical industry"
- 2019 · GSK Argentina Innovation Week (Buenos Aires, Argentina) — "Digital transformation of big pharma"
- 2019 · Costa Rica Start-Up Road Show (San José, Costa Rica) — "Digital transformation of big pharma"
- 2019 · Panama InnovaDay (Panama City, Panama) — "Digital transformation of big pharma"
- 2018 · Futurecom (São Paulo, Brazil) — "Big Data Analytics: Mining Information in a Tsunami of Data"
- 2018 · Ibmec Roundtable with Experts (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) — "Impact of Digital Marketing in the Business World"
- 2018 · China Digital Health Roadshow — Alibaba HQ (Hangzhou, China) — "LATAM Digital Innovation in Pharma"
- 2018 · GSK Digital Innovation Latam (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) — "LATAM Digital Innovation in Pharma"
- 2018 · Stefanini Hackathon (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) — Jury
- 2017 · IBM BlueHack Hackathon (São Paulo, Brazil) — Judge & Mentor
- 2017 · E-Commerce Conference Brazil RIO (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) — "Retail industry: overcoming the channel conflict"
- 2017 · PM Case Day 15th Edition (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) — "Digital Health"
- 2016 · E-Commerce Brazil Forum (São Paulo, Brazil) — "E-commerce for pharmaceutical industry"
- 2015–2017 · ComSchool (São Paulo, Brazil) — Professor, E-Commerce & Digital Marketing Technology
- 2015 · E-Commerce Brazil Forum (São Paulo, Brazil) — "Agile mindset — How make IT and Business converge?"
- 2015–2016 · E-Commerce Brazil Forum — Mentoring Rounds (São Paulo, Brazil) — Mentor

## Background

- 25+ years in tech across 3 continents
- 8+ industry awards
- Stanford School of Engineering — Innovation & Entrepreneurship (2020–21)
- MBA in Strategic IT Management — FGV University (2011–12)
- Active birder: 400+ bird species photographed across 9 countries; contributor to scientific publications documenting Brazilian avifauna
- Columnist and nature photographer

## Contact & Links

- Personal site: https://ericg.us
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgallardo/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/eric_gallardo
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericgallardo/
- Birding Thinking (book & framework): https://www.birdingthinking.com
- Birding Thinking on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H64D9ZVL
- Gallgen Advisory Board: https://gallgen.com.br
- Finch Home Studio: https://www.finchhomestudio.com