I am Besim Ismaili, a passionate and experienced technology leader focusing on driving organizational growth and innovation through advanced data solutions. With nearly two decades of expertise in Solution Architecture, Business Intelligence, Data Engineering, and Data Science, I specialize in creating scalable, business-aligned data platforms and analytics driven by Microsoft technologies and cutting-edge AI/ML techniques. As a board-certified CTO and author, I have built and scaled SaaS products, advised diverse companies, and led cross-functional teams across Europe and Asia. I thrive on enabling businesses to leverage data for better decision-making and competitive advantage, especially with a strong focus on applications in cloud platforms like Azure, and fostering sustainable digital transformation.…

Besim Ismaili

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I am Besim Ismaili, a passionate and experienced technology leader focusing on driving organizational growth and innovation through advanced data solutions. With nearly two decades of expertise in Solution Architecture, Business Intelligence, Data Engineering, and Data Science, I specialize in creating scalable, business-aligned data platforms and analytics driven by Microsoft technologies and cutting-edge AI/ML techniques. As a board-certified CTO and author, I have built and scaled SaaS products, advised diverse companies, and led cross-functional teams across Europe and Asia. I thrive on enabling businesses to leverage data for better decision-making and competitive advantage, especially with a strong focus on applications in cloud platforms like Azure, and fostering sustainable digital transformation.…

Available to hire

I am Besim Ismaili, a passionate and experienced technology leader focusing on driving organizational growth and innovation through advanced data solutions. With nearly two decades of expertise in Solution Architecture, Business Intelligence, Data Engineering, and Data Science, I specialize in creating scalable, business-aligned data platforms and analytics driven by Microsoft technologies and cutting-edge AI/ML techniques.

As a board-certified CTO and author, I have built and scaled SaaS products, advised diverse companies, and led cross-functional teams across Europe and Asia. I thrive on enabling businesses to leverage data for better decision-making and competitive advantage, especially with a strong focus on applications in cloud platforms like Azure, and fostering sustainable digital transformation.

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Language

Norwegian
Fluent
English
Fluent
Albanian
Fluent
Macedonian
Advanced
Croatian
Intermediate

Work Experience

Co-founder and CTO/Data Scientist at ELA AS / ELA Analytics AS
October 1, 2016 - Present
Leading innovative data solutions for ELA AS and its spin-off ELA Analytics AS, focusing on data products from global and open data sources to serve specific business needs. Responsible for building the internal project Numus, a personal finance and wealth management platform recognized with innovation awards and operating on a tech stack of React, Python, MySQL, Azure ML, Microsoft Fabric, and Power BI. Also leading EcoSphere, a sustainability decision-making tool funded by the Research Council of Norway. Delivered multiple scaled client engagements involving architecture, data modelling, ETL, and BI solutions across sectors including transportation, healthcare, public health, retail, and finance using technologies like Snowflake, SAP BODS, Azure Data Factory, Power Platform, and SQL Server with CI/CD pipelines.
Senior Business Intelligence Consultant/Data Scientist – MS BI / Azure ML at GroupM AS
October 31, 2016 - August 22, 2025
Architected and built the Nordic Enterprise Datawarehouse for cross-media data integration incorporating third-party sources. Developed solutions using Microsoft BI stack including SSIS, SSAS, MDM, Tableau, Qlik, and Power BI. Supported the expansion of the solution to the Netherlands, implemented CI/CD processes, and rebuilt SSAS models from Multidimensional to Tabular on Azure cloud.
Senior Business Intelligence (MS BI) Consultant/Data Scientist at Steria AS
May 31, 2015 - August 22, 2025
Developed enterprise-wide BI solutions with Microsoft BI tools including SSIS, SSAS, SSRS, and T-SQL. Migrated ETL processes from Informatica to SSIS to reduce licensing costs. Engaged in data mining and predictive analytics projects using R and Python. Collaborated closely with business units to translate requirements into dimensional data models, OLAP cubes, and reports.
Senior MS BI Developer/Data Analyst at Nordic Choice Hotels ASA
April 30, 2014 - August 22, 2025
Designed and implemented BI architecture and MDM strategies to support hospitality KPIs. Developed scalable OLAP cubes handling fact tables with hundreds of millions of rows. Used SSIS, T-SQL, Excel, Alteryx, and SAS for data aggregation, reporting, and visualization with Power BI and Tableau. Responsible for deployment, debugging, security configuration, and maintaining OLAP database servers.
Consultant Internship in ECM/MSBI at Capgemini Norway AS
August 31, 2009 - August 22, 2025
Implemented Microsoft BI solutions as the company specialist in SSAS data modeling and MDX queries. Developed ETL processes, reports, and OLAP cubes with SSIS, DMX, and SSRS for various client projects, including compliance and data analysis initiatives.
Co-founder and CTO/Data Scientist at ELA AS/ELA Analytics AS
October 1, 2016 - Present
Co-founded a company that creates data products from global and open data sources to help businesses with external market data. Leading consulting services, platform development, and product innovation including projects like Numus (personal finance and wealth management platform) and EcoSphere (ESG decision support tool). Delivered data platform projects involving Azure technologies, Power BI, SQL, Python, and cloud-based CI/CD pipelines for clients including Ruter, Baneservice, NRVA, GK, and others.
Senior Business Intelligence Consultant/Data Scientist – MS BI /Azure ML at GroupM AS
October 1, 2016 - August 22, 2025
Led the build of an Enterprise Data Warehouse for Nordic media agencies, integrating Marathon data and other third-party data sources. Developed and transitioned BI solutions to Azure cloud, re-building SSAS cubes and automating CI/CD pipelines. Built Power BI and Tableau reports, supporting media benchmarking and business analytics.
Senior Business Intelligence Consultant/Data Scientist at Steria AS
May 1, 2015 - August 22, 2025
Implemented and managed business intelligence solutions using Microsoft BI tools including SSIS, SSAS, and SSRS. Designed ETL and reporting processes, developed OLAP cubes, and assisted in migration from Informatica to SSIS to reduce costs. Applied data mining and machine learning techniques with tools such as R and Python to predict business outcomes.
Senior MS BI Developer/Data Analyst at Nordic Choice AS
April 1, 2014 - August 22, 2025
Responsible for the design and development of BI data warehouse solutions, supporting decision making with KPIs for hospitality business. Developed OLAP cubes, reports, and dashboards on large multidimensional datasets. Managed data integration and quality for a variety of enterprise systems using the MS BI suite.
Consultant Internship in ECM/MSBI at Capgemini Norway AS
August 1, 2009 - August 22, 2025
Specialized in Microsoft Business Intelligence implementations focusing on SSAS data modeling and MDX query development. Participated in compliance projects and BI applications involving OLAP technology, ETL pipelines and reporting.

Education

Bachelor Degree in Computer Science at University of Pristina
January 1, 2000 - January 1, 2005
Professional Education in Big Data and Data Science (Industrial Degree) at MIT
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
5-year degree program, Department of Computer Science at University of Pristina
January 1, 2000 - January 1, 2005
Professional Education program in Big Data and Data Science (Industrial Degree) at MIT (USA)
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014

Qualifications

Board Certificate from Board Company
January 11, 2030 - August 22, 2025
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) SQL 2008 Business Intelligence
January 11, 2030 - August 22, 2025
Microsoft Certified Professional
January 11, 2030 - August 22, 2025
Certified in Advanced Google Analytics
January 11, 2030 - August 22, 2025
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) SQL 2008 Business Intelligence
January 11, 2030 - August 22, 2025
Microsoft Certified Professional
January 11, 2030 - August 22, 2025
Microsoft .Net Framework Foundation course
January 11, 2030 - August 22, 2025
Certified in Advanced Google Analytics
January 11, 2030 - August 22, 2025
Board Certificate from Board Company
January 11, 2030 - August 22, 2025

Industry Experience

Financial Services, Healthcare, Transportation & Logistics, Retail, Professional Services, Government, Software & Internet, Energy & Utilities
    paper Agela - www.agela.ai

    Agela is an AI-driven platform and project focused on building autonomous, agentic artificial intelligence solutions that can take on real work on behalf of users and organisations. It deploys agentic AI systems — intelligent software entities that don’t just respond to queries but can autonomously execute multi-step workflows, make decisions, and adapt in real time to changing conditions and goals.

    In practice, Agela’s technology aims to act as a next-generation digital workforce: instead of static tools or simple assistants, its AI agents operate with goal-oriented autonomy, handling complex sequences of tasks across systems, reducing manual effort and enabling organisations to streamline processes and scale operations with less human oversight.

    More about Agela, visit: https://www.twine.net/signin

    This means Agela isn’t just about generating outputs on request — it’s about intelligent automation and autonomous action, moving beyond classic AI assistants toward systems that can perceive, plan, act, and adapt to deliver real outcomes.

    paper Numus
    Numus is an AI-driven personal finance and wealth platform that unifies budgeting, spending insights, investment tracking, and financial health benchmarking. The system automatically categorizes transactions, visualizes long-term trends, compares users to similar financial personas, and provides tailored recommendations to improve savings, reduce costs, and grow wealth. Built for individuals seeking full control of their money with intelligent, data-driven guidance.…
    uniE608 Ecosphere Data platform
    Ecosphere is building an AI-powered ESG reporting platform to simplify compliance with global standards (CSRD, GRI, TCFD, SASB, CDP). We have support from the Research Council of Norway (SkatteFUNN) and are in dialogue for an Innovation Contract with Innovation Norway. Backed by private investors, we hold multiple Letters of Intent from key industry players. Our solution offers automated data integration, benchmarking, and multi-standard reporting through a unified ESG data model and reporting engine. Prototype is ready: https://www.twine.net/signin Team includes experts in AI, data science, and sustainability. video explainervideo…