Smart Forward
Smart Forward is a research and development organization that seeks to improve eldercare through the use of advanced technology. We are passionate about our mission to deliver the highest quality of care efficiently and cost-effectively to the greatest number of seniors to improve their lives and the lives of their loved ones. In addition to performing research on tech-enabled eldercare in an academic setting, Smart Forward is developing strategies for eldercare technology adoption in individual homes and care facilities, which is a vital step on the journey to delivering on Smart Forward’s mission.
Donna Krogh, CEO
Dr. Donna Krogh, PhD, CCRN, NEA-BC, PHN is CEO of Smart Forward LLC, a research and development company that seeks to improve eldercare through the use of advanced technology. Dr. Krogh has extensive experience as an RN and was inspired to reimagine eldercare after seeing first-hand the unfavorable conditions that many seniors must tolerate in their later years as residents of institutions.
Her passion for seeking better solutions to the eldercare challenge led her to undertake a PhD in Nursing Research at UCLA. While teaching during her doctoral studies, she heard her nursing students relate their negative internship experiences in nursing homes. This, coupled with knowledge of an impending societal crisis of insufficient caregiving resources and escalating costs, served to further her aim find new innovative eldercare solutions. Upon receiving her doctorate, Dr. Krogh leveraged her extensive professional network to found a long-term program to advance tech-enabled eldercare. This effort has resulted in the assemblage of a consortium of renowned academics and practitioners who are passionately pursuing solutions that will provide cost-effective and higher quality care for the aging.
Erik Krogh, CTO
Dr. Erik Krogh is the Chief Technology Officer of Smart Forwards. He has been a full-time faculty member of Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School since 2014 where he is the Program Chair of the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) Program. He holds a PhD in Information Systems from Claremont Graduate University, an MBA from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Management from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School. His research interests include the democratization of data science and the organizational adaptation of emerging technologies. He is currently serving on a Pepperdine University-wide AI task force.
Before entering academia, Dr. Krogh enjoyed a 22-year career as an Information Systems practitioner. He began his career as a data analyst and rose to the rank of Divisional CIO for companies ranging in size from small start-ups to large IT integrators, such as Computer Sciences Corporation and Hewlett-Packard.
He is a member of the Southern California Chapter of the Society for Information Management (SIM), Southern California Chapter of the Chief Data and Analytics Officers Network (CDAO), and the Association for Information Systems (AIS). He was the lead author on a paper that won the 2005 SIM “Best Paper Award” and has been published in MIS Quarterly Executive.
Board Members
Ann Majchrzak, PhD
Dr. Ann Majchrzak is an esteemed scholar and innovator with a distinguished career in digital transformation, collaborative innovation, and information systems. She is a Professor Emeritus of Data Sciences and Operations at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, where she previously held the prestigious USC Associates’ Chair in Business Administration. Her groundbreaking work and dedication have earned her recognition as a Fellow of the Association for Information Systems, reflecting her leadership and contributions to advancing technology’s role in business and society.
With over three decades of academic and practical experience, Dr. Majchrzak has been a transformative force in harnessing the power of digital platforms to solve complex business and societal challenges. She consulted for leading organizations and was a visiting professor at renowned institutions, including Esade Business School in Barcelona and LUISS School of Business and Management in Rome. Her international influence extends to her research, which has been widely published in premier journals and celebrated by industry peers.
Her most recent book, Unleashing the Crowd: Collaborative Solutions for Wicked Business and Societal Problems (2020), captures her pioneering insights into crowdsourcing and the mobilization of digital communities to tackle “wicked” problems—those that are inherently complex, uncertain, and multifaceted. Dr. Majchrzak’s research and writings are recognized for pushing boundaries in understanding how diverse digital solutions can drive meaningful organizational and societal change.
In addition to her contributions to academia and industry, Dr. Majchrzak has held key editorial roles, including serving as a Senior Editor for MIS Quarterly, one of the most respected journals in the field of management information systems. Her numerous accolades reflect a lifetime commitment to leadership, mentorship, and innovation. She has been honored for her impact in fostering forward-thinking approaches that blend technology, collaboration, and business strategy.
Smart Forward is honored to welcome Dr. Ann Majchrzak to its board, where her unparalleled expertise and strategic insights will be invaluable in shaping the organization’s mission to drive digital innovation and sustainable growth.
Omar A. El Sawy, PhD
Dr. Omar A. El Sawy is a globally recognized thought leader in digital business strategy, innovation, and dynamic business environments. He holds the prestigious Kenneth King Stonier Chair in Business Administration and is a Professor of Data Sciences and Operations at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business. With a career spanning over three decades, Dr. El Sawy has profoundly shaped the fields of digital transformation and business model innovation, focusing on how organizations can navigate and thrive in volatile, rapidly evolving markets.
A prolific scholar, Dr. El Sawy earned his Ph.D. from Stanford Business School, an MBA from the American University in Cairo, and a BSEE from Cairo University. He has published extensively in leading journals and is widely respected for his insights into digital platforms, dynamic business models, and strategic adaptation. His research has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Society for Information Management’s Annual Paper Award, which he has won an unprecedented seven times.
From 2001 to 2007, Dr. El Sawy served as the Director of Research at USC Marshall’s Institute for Communications Technology Management, where he led pioneering studies on the role of technology in transforming business practices. In 2008, he was honored as a Fellow of the Association of Information Systems, a testament to his contributions to the field. His expertise extends beyond academia; he has consulted for major corporations and organizations on digital strategy and innovation.
Dr. El Sawy’s commitment to knowledge-sharing and mentorship has also been a cornerstone of his career. He has served as a Senior Editor for MIS Quarterly and was a founding Associate Editor of Information Systems Research, both top-tier journals in management information systems. In 2021, he was awarded the USC Marshall Faculty Mentoring & Leadership Award in recognition of his dedication to guiding the next generation of business leaders and scholars.
Smart Forward is thrilled to welcome Dr. Omar A. El Sawy to its board. His deep expertise, visionary approach to digital strategy, and passion for innovation will be invaluable as we drive forward-looking initiatives and embrace transformative change in the digital era.
