EMMANUEL TAWANDA ZIKI
Senior Solutions Specialist (Data & AI)
Cape Town,WC
Summary
Transformational Data, AI & Cloud leader with 15 years of experience in cloud modernization, analytics transformation, and AI adoption. Designed and implemented scalable cloud architectures and AI-enabled data platforms while enhancing enterprise governance frameworks. Expertise includes Microsoft Azure, cloud migration, and multi-cloud transformation programs, driving strategic initiatives that align technology with business goals.
Overview
5
5
Certifications
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Independent Data & AI Specialist
Global Answers
10.2025 - Current
- Advanced expertise in cloud data engineering, AI architectures, analytics modernization, and enterprise data platforms to enhance project outcomes.
- Continued hands-on learning and solution development across Azure Data Services, Microsoft Fabric, Databricks, Synapse Analytics, and Azure OpenAI.
- Researched enterprise AI adoption patterns, cloud economics, and scalable data platform architectures to inform strategic initiatives.
- Developed strategic understanding of modern data engineering practices, including lakehouse architectures, data governance, and AI-ready platforms, to drive effective implementations.
Senior Solutions Specialist
Microsoft
07.2022 - 09.2025
- Lead strategic Data & AI engagements for enterprise customers across Azure Cloud solutions and AI modernization programs.
- Drove executive-level conversations to shape cloud transformation, analytics modernization, AI adoption, and governance strategies.
- Influence high-value enterprise cloud opportunities through consultative solution selling and strategic technical leadership.
- Collaborated with Microsoft partners, engineering teams, and customer executives to accelerate cloud adoption and implement AI platforms.
- Influenced enterprise cloud opportunities through consultative solution selling and strategic technical leadership.
- Deliver architecture workshops, demonstrations, and AI solution positioning engagements for enterprise customers.
Senior Cloud Solutions Architect : Data & AI
Microsoft
03.2019 - 06.2022
- Led cloud migration, AI modernization, and analytics transformation initiatives across multiple industries.
- Designed enterprise-scale Azure landing zones and modern cloud architectures for strategic enterprise customers.
- Guided customers through Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF) implementation and cloud operating model design.
- Guided customers in implementing Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF) and designing cloud operating models to facilitate seamless transitions.
- Worked closely with customer executives and delivery teams to align cloud strategy with business transformation objectives.
- Supported proof-of-concept deployments and ensured architecture governance during enterprise modernization engagements to drive successful outcomes.
Cloud Support Engineer – Big Data Architect
Amazon Web Services
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Architected and supported enterprise big data and analytics workloads on AWS cloud platforms.
- Designed scalable analytics solutions using EMR, Spark, Redshift, Kinesis, Lambda, DynamoDB, and Glue.
- Supported enterprise customers in data engineering, cloud migration, and analytics modernization, enhancing their operational capabilities.
- Delivered advanced troubleshooting and architectural guidance for mission-critical cloud workloads, ensuring reliability and performance.
- Collaborated with AWS engineering and product teams to improve Big Data and Analytics services.
- Mentored technical teams and facilitated customer enablement, driving operational excellence and knowledge transfer.
Cloud Support Engineer – EC2 - All Services
Amazon Web Services
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Supported and operated enterprise workloads within AWS cloud environments.
- Guided customers in developing cloud migration strategies and onboarding processes for AWS platforms.
- Performed troubleshooting and incident resolution across AWS infrastructure and services.
- Worked directly with AWS architects and engineering teams to resolve complex customer issues.
- Managed customer communication during critical incidents and operational events.
- Coordinated customer communication during critical incidents and operational events to ensure timely updates and resolutions.
- Served as Subject Matter Expert (SME) across multiple AWS services and support processes.
- Developed technical documentation and contributed to knowledge-sharing initiatives.
- Facilitated automation initiatives that streamlined operational workflows and enhanced troubleshooting processes.
- Mentored junior engineers and assisted with technical training and enablement programs.
IT Support Engineer
Praxis Computing
05.2010 - 12.2013
- Delivered 1st, 2nd, and 3rd line infrastructure and server support across enterprise Windows environments.
- Supported network infrastructure, Citrix, web servers, email systems, and communication platforms.
- Performed advanced hardware, software, and network troubleshooting for enterprise clients.
- Maintained and enhanced client security standards including firewalls, backups, antivirus, and patch management.
- Conducted network infrastructure audits and system performance assessments.
- Assisted clients with technology planning, budgeting, and infrastructure upgrade recommendations.
- Supported business process improvement and information lifecycle management initiatives.
- Developed technical documentation and contributed to operational standards and procedures.
- Delivered technical presentations and customer-facing support engagements.
- Mentored junior support engineers and contributed to team operational delivery.
Support Engineer
Baur Research
05.2010 - 12.2013
- Support Windows based fingerprint and access control systems.
- Collecting and analysing information to diagnose and troubleshoot problems.
- Identifying and escalating potential technical problems to Team Leaders and Systems Engineer.
- Managed software licensing for clients, ensuring compliance and optimal resource allocation.
- Support Windows based finger print and access control systems.
- Collecting and analyzing information to diagnose and troubleshoot problems.
- Build, Install, upgrade, and maintain IT equipment.
- Manage Software Licensing for the Clients.
- Compiled and wrote monthly reports to summarize system performance and support activities.
- Promoted product features to clients.
Education
BCom - IT Management
Mancosa
Diploma - Information Systems & Management
Belgium Campus IT Varsity
Linux Administration - undefined
University of Zimbabwe
Skills
Data & AI Strategy
Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Fabric
Azure OpenAI
Microsoft Purview
Enterprise Architecture
AI Governance
Data Governance
Accomplishments
- Data Strategy ExecutionExecuted strategic Data & AI transformation initiatives that accelerated cloud migration adoption by up to 30% across assigned enterprise accounts during 2023.
- AI Adoption LeadershipLed AI adoption and modernization engagements that contributed to achieving 95% customer satisfaction across enterprise AI transformation programs.
- AI Use Case StrategyFacilitated enterprise AI strategy workshops within the insurance sector, successfully identifying and defining over 20 high-value AI use cases for roadmap development and implementation planning.
- Cloud Usage ExpansionDrove Azure cloud consumption growth by increasing enterprise cloud usage by approximately 40% within a 12-month period through strategic architecture guidance and customer enablement initiatives.
- City Liveability IndexArchitecting and implementation Data Pipelines for Ethekwini Municipality to achieve the single view.
- Single Citizen ViewArchitecting and implementation Data Pipelines Data Pipeline for Western Cape Gov for reporting.
- Sales Report for Major South African RetailerArchitect and solve a reporting bottleneck for a South African Major Retailer using Fabric and Data Source GCP.
- Architect and Implement AI Retail ConciergeLead the implementation of an AI Retail Concierge Solution.AI Roadmap, AI Fin Ops for the solution.
Certification
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
Timeline
Independent Data & AI Specialist
Global Answers
10.2025 - Current
Senior Solutions Specialist
Microsoft
07.2022 - 09.2025
Senior Cloud Solutions Architect : Data & AI
Microsoft
03.2019 - 06.2022
Cloud Support Engineer – Big Data Architect
Amazon Web Services
01.2016 - 01.2019
Cloud Support Engineer – EC2 - All Services
Amazon Web Services
01.2014 - 01.2016
IT Support Engineer
Praxis Computing
05.2010 - 12.2013
Support Engineer
Baur Research
05.2010 - 12.2013
Linux Administration - undefined
University of Zimbabwe
Diploma - Information Systems & Management
Belgium Campus IT Varsity
BCom - IT Management
Mancosa