Chris Holman welcomes Ronia Kruse, President / CEO OpTech Solutions, Troy, MI - Talent & DEI Thought Leader | Entrepreneur | Philanthropist

Watch Ronia and Chris discuss her company, and its connection to MICHauto, and what she took away from their recent summit in Detroit,... all in the YouTube video shared below:

In their conversation Chris looked to find out several things from Ronia:

Welcome Ronia, could you share your career trajectory up to now?

Tell us about OpTech Solutions?

We've met up with you the last two years at the MICHauto Summit, what is your connection with MICHauto?

What topics caught your attention at this year's summit and do you have any takeaways from the day?

What highlight from 2023 or expectation for 2024 would you care to share with the statewide business audience at this time?

More about Ronia:

Ronia Kruse is the founder and CEO of OpTech, LLC and OpTech Solutions, a talent development and solutions firm providing services to Fortune 1000 and government clients. She is a dynamic executive who leverages her background as a successful entrepreneur in talent management and workforce solutions; as a Certified Public Accountant and financial expert with a big 4 professional service firm; and as a strategic change agent and human capital disrupter to help board of directors and companies achieve maximum financial results. Kruse invests in emerging firms and is involved with due diligence for emerging businesses/technologies.

Kruse launched OpTech during the sharp economic downturn of 2001, arguably the worst time to start a company, but her business acumen paid off. With her contagious enthusiasm and passion for inspiring others, Kruse brings the unique ability to develop talent and leverage technology, particularly in the realm of crisis management. Kruse’s unwavering commitment to OpTech’s success and growth has motivated her to make several aggressive decisions including launching OpTech’s solutions practice and developing innovative solutions for clients in the areas of analytics, cyber security, application development and connected vehicles.

Kruse is dedicated to diversity and inclusion and the pursuit of connecting people of all backgrounds with work that enriches their lives. Frequently a mentor to young female professionals and minority talent, Kruse strives to help employees find purpose and empowerment through meaningful work using her transformative strategic initiatives.

Kruse has served on several board of directors throughout her career. In these positions, she is frequently called upon to address talent shortages, diversity and inclusion, and provide due diligence to tech start-ups. Some of the many boards she currently sits on include: Detroit Regional Chamber Executive Board; Independent Bank Board of Directors and Audit Committee and ESG task force; Founder and Board Member of Digital Lakes; Inforum Board of Directors and Leadership Committee; Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business – Board of Visitors and BELLE Advisory Board and We Build Character. In addition, Kruse is a co-founder of Digital Lakes, a grassroots organiziation with a shared vision to establish Metro Detroit as the leading digital hub in the Great Lakes region.

Before venturing out on her own, Kruse was a senior tax consultant for a big 4 CPA firm, where she specialized in international tax planning strategies for clients, harnessed business process improvement/efficiencies, and developed financial applications for leading industries. In addition, she served as an adjunct professor in the Master of Science Taxation program at Wayne State University.

Under her dynamic leadership, OpTech has earned numerous awards for its exceptional service, growth, and diversity including being recognized with Clearly Rated’s 2021 Best of Staffing Award for both Talent and Client satisfaction, being named one of the 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies Worldwide by the Women’s President Organization for three years; Inc. 5000’s - List of Fastest Growing Private Companies (nine years) as well as Forbes Best Professional Recruiting Firms – ranking 56 out of 250 nationwide. Kruse is frequently invited to speak in front of a variety of audiences. Some of these include but are not limited to the University of Michigan College of Engineering, WSU Ilitch School of Business, Automotive News, MichAuto, Inforum, and at the Mackinaw Policy Conference.

Kruse has also received several personal awards for her leadership in business, community involvement and public policy initiatives, including Mike Ilitch School of Business Alumni of the Year; Distinguished Citizen Award presented by the Great Lakes Division, Boy Scouts of America; EY Entrepreneur of the Year – Finalist 2016 and 2018; WJR’s Women Who Lead; Crain’s Detroit Business - 40 Under 40; and Rhonda Walker Foundation - Powerful Women of Purpose in the Technology Industry.

Kruse, a Certified Public Accountant, holds both a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Science in Taxation from Wayne State University in Detroit.

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