Raoul Dobal · Zürich
About me
A seasoned CTO, with a background in media sciences, Japanology and philosophy.
A seasoned CTO
I am Raoul, a seasoned Chief Technology Officer (CTO) based in Switzerland, with deep expertise in financial services and technology leadership. Throughout my career, I have driven significant advancements in technology, improving efficiency and fostering growth. Balancing the needs of the business, the requirements of regulators in our industry and the user is a constant challenge, where structured change management is critical to achieve diverse goals.
My focus is on providing strategic insights and hands-on leadership to help businesses navigate complex technological landscapes, streamline operations, and achieve their goals. With a strong foundation in both technology and business, I also understand the entrepreneurial mindset that often challenges an operational way of thinking.
Background
As a seasoned technology leader and strategist, I regularly share insights on AI, digital transformation, and the latest tech trends through articles on LinkedIn, republished here for a wider audience. With a PhD in media sciences and an academic background in Japanology and philosophy, alongside my entrepreneurial journey starting in digital reputation management, I’ve built my career by blending creativity and technology.
Born in Zürich, my experiences from London to Tokyo have shaped my unique approach to modern operations in the financial industry. Outside of work, I explore creativity through sci-fi model building, cooking and diving.
Published articles
I regularly share my insights and knowledge through articles on LinkedIn. My writings cover a wide range of topics, including the latest trends in technology, advancements in AI, and strategies for digital transformation. These and other articles are republished here to reach a broader audience, tie the often short-form content together and provide resources and trigger ideas for professionals and startups.
A little bit of history
Born and raised in Zürich, Switzerland, most of my schooling was in my neighbourhood, resulting in a PhD in Media Sciences from the University of Zürich. Part of my studies were done at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London and in Tokyo.
Not anchored in the financial sector, I had studied media sciences, Japanology and philosophy and started my first company very early on. We focused on digital reputation management and content creation—in the early stages of the internet at that time. Yes, my first exposure was playing NetHack online at university and Lynx and Mosaic were used daily.
I moved then to creating modern operations, an effective architecture and digital processes for a regulated client in the financial industry, resulting in taking on more and more responsibilities and finally engaging as a senior partner and shareholder.
Personal interests
I value work-life balance, constant personal growth and finding new experiences that expand my reach. I also believe that fun and a balanced approach to “carpe diem” should be a daily driver.
I enjoy deep dives into science fiction. Building and painting models of iconic spaceships is one of my favourite pastimes. It’s an almost meditative process that demands both attention to detail and skills honed over the years. I find that these creative projects balance the intensity of my day-to-day work, offering a different kind of problem-solving.
Whether I’m crafting a miniature replica of a classic starship or exploring new sci-fi narratives, these hobbies fuel my imagination and keep me inspired, both personally and professionally.
Get in touch if you want to know more or exchange ideas.