About
Ryan Smedstad
A decade-plus across Fortune 500s, agencies, and startups, with 10+ years building and leading teams. Now focused on AI strategy, solution design, and workflow transformation across marketing and communications.
I'm drawn to understanding how things function and where they're heading. My ability to identify issues, understand situations, and solve problems has made me effective throughout my career, from agency leadership to Fortune 500 transformation, entrepreneurship, and now AI strategy and solution design.
Today I focus on turning insight into action: building solutions, building and leading teams, and shaping strategies that move organizations forward. I'm motivated by designing technology that truly serves people, solving problems that matter, and sharing what I learn along the way.
Current Focus
At GE HealthCare's Marketing & Communications organization, leading AI strategy and solution development. Beyond strategy, I manage and develop a direct team while supporting 100+ marketing and communications professionals through consultation, advisory, and applied AI.
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Strategy & Solutioning
Shaping AI strategy and solution direction across marketing and communications. Designing custom AI tools and workflows. Advising leadership on where AI creates business impact.
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Transformation & Advisory
Advising GE HealthCare's AI steering committee on adoption and tooling decisions. Leading the Marketing & Communications Community of Practice within the company-wide Big Rock Gen AI initiative. Guiding teams through workflow transformation and responsible AI use.
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Independent Development
Building and refining AI-driven applications for content, UX, and discoverability. Experimenting with RAG and intelligent automation. Applying findings from hands-on projects to improve marketing and data workflows.
Journey
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2015–2021
Agency Leadership
Led SEO teams at iProspect serving Fortune 500 clients across finance, travel, technology, and retail. Partnered with Paid Search, Content, and Analytics teams. Discovered universal patterns in digital discovery while recognizing industry nuances. Selected for Route 500, Dentsu Aegis Network's exclusive leadership development program.
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2017–2024
Entrepreneurship
Co-founded Searics, a Chicago-based digital marketing company for small and medium-sized businesses. Balancing agency work and entrepreneurship taught me to build from scratch, manage operations, and make practical decisions that drive results. Sharpened my ability to see challenges from a business owner's perspective.
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2021–Present
Enterprise Transformation
At GE HealthCare, I've applied everything learned earlier at scale. Beyond the technical work as primary advisor on visibility and solution design, I manage and develop direct reports, step in as interim director when needed, and have mentored team members into promotions across Marketing, Product, and IT. Work has evolved from broad multi-domain coverage toward deeper solutions that improve internal operations and external performance.
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2023–Present
AI Innovation
Focused on AI transformation and solution design within global organizations. Rethinking workflows with AI, building tools that demonstrate what's possible, and advising on how AI reshapes digital discovery, user behavior, and operations. Recently selected by our CMO and Head of Brand and Digital Marketing to lead the redesign of the New Product Introductions workflow through applied AI. Pairs strategic direction with hands-on execution.
Experience & Industries
Roles
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GE HealthCare
2021 – Present
AI Solutions & Web Experience Lead
- Manage 2 direct reports; served as interim director during multiple parental leaves; mentored team members into promotions across Marketing, Product, and IT
- Selected by CMO and Head of Brand and Digital Marketing to lead redesign of the New Product Introductions workflow with direct report, transforming a core marketing process through applied AI
- Co-lead 15-person AI Marketing Incubator (cross-functional with IT and regional marketing); lead Marketing & Communications Community of Practice within company-wide Big Rock Gen AI initiative spanning 15 CoPs and 450+ employees
- Drive AI strategy and solution development across the Marketing & Communications organization, partnering with 100+ professionals on AI adoption through consultation, advisory, and pilot programs
- Partner on global enterprise web platform migration (AEM) aligning 50+ internal stakeholders with Conductor and Adobe technology partners (UK and Germany sites went live in March 2026)
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iProspect (Dentsu Aegis Network)
2015 – 2021
Associate Director, SEO (Lead → Manager → Associate Director)
- As Associate Director, built and led the Chicago SEO practice for Fortune 500 clients across finance, travel, technology, hospitality, and healthcare; managed 4 direct reports including 2 SEO Managers with their own teams (8-person practice within ~20-person regional org); selected for Route 500, Dentsu's leadership accelerator
- Promoted from SEO Lead to SEO Manager (3 direct reports) to Associate Director; advocated for and secured promotion of one direct report alongside my own; managed full performance lifecycle including hiring, development, and performance counseling
- Hired for own and sister teams as a trusted interview reviewer; partnered cross-channel with Paid Search, Content, and Analytics teams on integrated client work spanning Amazon, YouTube, and App Store
- Drove new business through tailored pitch strategies (3 client onboardings); delivered enterprise SEO programs spanning mobile optimization, structured data, and app store optimization
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Searics
2017 – 2024
Co-founder
- Chicago-based digital marketing consultancy, run concurrently with agency and enterprise roles
- Client work spanned B2B and B2C: SEO consulting, YouTube and video optimization, local awareness and lead generation, and B2B strategy
Industries
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Ecommerce
Agency work with Fortune 500 retailers and GE HealthCare's digital selling initiatives. Deep understanding of product discovery, conversion optimization, and marketplace strategies.
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Finance & Insurance
Developed digital strategies for Bank of America and leading insurance clients. Skilled in trust-building content, regulated environments, and balancing compliance with visibility.
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Travel & Hospitality
Led SEO for Holland America Cruises, achieving top search visibility for "Alaska cruise." Experienced in seasonal demand, experience-driven decision-making, and competitive travel markets.
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Technology
Guided Samsung and Sony on international web architecture and localization strategies. Strong understanding of global targeting, technical SEO, and user experience design.
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Healthcare Manufacturing
Supporting GE HealthCare's global digital initiatives across brand, product, and program teams. Experienced in complex B2B sales cycles, accessibility, and regulatory requirements.
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The Pattern
Across industries, success depends on balancing business goals with user needs, understanding both technical infrastructure and human behavior, and adapting as technology evolves.
Capabilities & Impact
Capabilities
- Team Leadership & Manager Development
- Talent Development & Hiring
- Executive Communication & Stakeholder Management
- AI Strategy & Solution Design
- AI Transformation & Workflow Design
- Technical SEO & Global Targeting
- Content Intelligence
- Performance, Accessibility & Analytics
- Automation & QA
Impact
- Multiple GE HealthCare Impact Awards for AI delivery and cross-functional leadership: 2026 AI Champion recognition, AEM Migration UK & Germany Go-Live, and the QA Automation Tool that improved testing and publishing efficiency across global web platforms.
- Mentored team members into promotions across Marketing, Product, and IT during current GE HealthCare role; step in as interim director when needed.
- 35%+ year-over-year growth in GE HealthCare's global web performance, driven through discoverability and conversion optimization.
- Built and led an 8-person SEO practice (with two SEO Managers leading their own teams) within a ~20-person regional org as Associate Director at iProspect; selected for Route 500, Dentsu's global leadership accelerator.
Education
- Valparaiso University B.S., Business Administration, Marketing
- Northwestern University, School of Professional Studies Graduate Certificate, Digital Marketing
- Section School Product Strategy, Generative AI Strategy certifications
Connect
Interested in discussing AI transformation, digital strategy, or potential collaborations? I'm always open to connecting with fellow innovators and organizations ready to drive meaningful change.