Global venture capital and growth equity firm Norwest has expanded its senior operating bench with the addition of two high-profile executives.
The firm announced that Ken Yagen will join as Product, AI & Technology Operating Executive and Principal, while Bryan Wise has been appointed Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Principal.
The move is aimed at reinforcing Norwest’s growing focus on artificial intelligence, product innovation, and technology-driven portfolio support across its global investment ecosystem.
Deepening Portfolio Support Through Technical Expertise
Both appointments are expected to bolster the firm’s Portfolio Success team, which works closely with Norwest-backed companies to improve performance, scale operations, and accelerate innovation.
Yagen and Wise will join an established network of operating executives, AI senior advisors, and the data and engineering group.
Their combined experience is expected to enhance Norwest’s ability to provide hands-on technical guidance, particularly in AI adoption, product strategy, and enterprise technology transformation.
Ken Yagen to Drive Product and AI Strategy Across Portfolio Companies
In his new role, Ken Yagen will collaborate directly with Norwest’s investment teams to advise portfolio companies on product development, artificial intelligence integration, technology assessments, and organizational design.
He will also play a key role in strengthening Norwest’s broader operator ecosystem, including initiatives such as the Norwest Operator Collective and its Senior Advisor Network.
These platforms are designed to connect founders with experienced operators and industry experts.
Yagen joins Norwest following his position as Chief Product Officer at CData, where he focused on embedding AI into product development to enhance customer value and improve operational efficiency.
His earlier experience includes senior leadership roles at Warburg Pincus, MuleSoft, Box, and Symphony, where he helped scale enterprise platforms and build product teams across fast-growing environments.
Bryan Wise Takes Charge of Norwest’s Global Technology Infrastructure
Bryan Wise steps into the CIO and Principal role with responsibility for overseeing Norwest’s global technology infrastructure and internal systems strategy.
His mandate includes aligning technology, business operations, and organizational execution while advancing AI capabilities across the firm.
Working closely with Amanda Widjaja, Vice President and Head of Data, Wise will also collaborate with Norwest’s data and engineering teams to accelerate internal AI adoption and improve operational efficiency.
A key part of his role will involve translating internal innovations into best practices that can be shared with portfolio companies.
A Track Record Built Across Major Tech Companies
Before joining Norwest, Wise served as CIO at 6sense, where he led business technology, security, and operations during a period of AI-driven transformation.
His leadership focused on improving enterprise security and aligning technology systems with revenue growth objectives.
Over his 30-year career, he has held senior roles at several major technology firms.
At GitLab, he contributed to the systems and processes supporting the company’s IPO.
At Snowflake, he served as the first VP of IT, scaling global infrastructure during rapid expansion from 400 to 2,000 employees.
He also led IT operations at DocuSign, managing large-scale infrastructure, DevOps systems, and service delivery platforms.
Norwest’s Expanding Global Investment and Advisory Ecosystem
Since 2013, Norwest has developed a structured portfolio support model designed to provide founders with strategic advisory services, operational expertise, and access to a broad professional network.
This approach spans areas such as talent development, corporate strategy, product innovation, go-to-market execution, and M&A support.
The firm currently manages more than $15.5 billion in capital and has invested in over 700 companies, partnering with more than 250 active portfolio businesses across venture and growth stages.
Its investment focus spans enterprise software, healthcare, and consumer sectors, supported by offices in the United States, India, and Israel.
