Rafail Portnoy Biography

Rafail Portnoy is a CIO at the Levin Institute, a newly formed elite graduate school and think tank under State University of New York. The school is focused on globalization, international affairs, and specialized worldwide research. As CIO Portnoy is responsible for daily operations and strategic worldwide technology development and adoption for this unique international business and commerce institute. He has extensive experience in disaster recovery planning, IT portfolio planning, systems security, implementation methodologies, and outsourcing. Prior to becoming a CIO at Levin, Portnoy was a principal with IT Consulting and Services practice at IBM Global Services, where he provided IT leadership, strategic direction, and visionary guidance to key IBM and industry executives in establishing long-term IT policies, processes, and implementation guidelines in support of strategic organization's business objectives. Portnoy also served as an engagement manager and systems manager at IBM's Internet division. His role varied from technical architect to project/engagement manager, where he managed budget, resources and multiple technical initiatives. Former positions include serving as system analyst at Kraft Foods. He is an active member of the Society of Information Management and sits on the technology advisory council of the Billion Minds Foundation, an international non-for-profit organization focused on advancing human talent in the global economy. Portnoy has an M.S. from Polytechnic University and holds a bachelor of business administration degree from Pace University.