Evolve Leadership

Meet the people behind Evolve

Chris TollefsonCEO

Over his 25 year career, Chris has led strategic technology programs for clients around the world. He founded Evolve because he believes that business today is on the cusp of radical change and his team is uniquely qualified to help clients make the most of it.

Before Evolve, Chris was Global Vice President of Business Development and Marketing at Logic Information Systems where he led significant year over year growth under his leadership. Chris brings a deep commitment to client success to every challenge.

Chris holds a BS from St. Cloud State University and lives in Eagan where he enjoys coaching his two high school sons in baseball and hockey.

Jenell ScottCOO

As COO, Jenell is responsible for processes, systems, and functions to manage Evolve’s business and to drive overall profitability. Jenell is excited to build a business around cutting edge technology and create a culture that inspires great results at Evolve.

Prior to joining the founding team at Evolve, Jenell was the Director of Operations for Logic Information Systems from 2008 until 2015. While at Logic, she managed global operations during significant year-over-year growth, including large technology programs, business process, financial reporting and analysis, HR, IT, global expansion, and acquisitions. Before Logic, Jenell was a relationship manager with Chrysler Financial where she gained experience in finance, consultative sales, and business process optimization.

Jenell holds a BA from Hamline University and completed the High Potentials Leadership Program at Harvard Business School. When she’s not at work, Jenell enjoys golf, water skiing and spending time with her family and friends.

Paul McFarrenRetail Strategy Advisor

Paul McFarren has an extensive background in executive leadership, business development, information technology, distribution and all aspects of retail-related operations. A businessman first, his entrepreneurial nature has enabled him to apply this background in the context of executive management positions in everything from a start-up to very large, global retail organizations.

Paul has broad operational experience in managing company performance, including development and deployment of key operating metrics throughout a typical retail operation. Paul has participated on both sides of the mergers and acquisitions table; effectively managing the strategic planning, transition and consolidation of business operations.

Paul graduated from Cornell University in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering.

Jerome OttenwaelterEngagement Director

As an Engagement Director at Evolve, Jérôme drives customer satisfaction for customers from sales to delivery. He is passionate about leading mixed teams to move forward to a common objective, making sure the client’s teams and needs are fully understood and accounted for by his technical and functional teams while thinking way ahead for what could go wrong… And mitigate it.

Jérôme has led large and complex transformation programs in North America, Europe, and Asia. He has over 20 years of consulting experience implementing and integrating systems, 17 of which in retail (merchandising, planning and optimization, point-of-service, business intelligence, and workforce management), and the rest in Finance and Healthcare. His experience includes work at Accenture, Oracle Retail, JDA, and Infor.

Born in Paris, France, Jérôme has now lived in Los Angeles, California for over 15 years, where you will find him wine-tasting, listening to operas, building Lego sets, or hiking… usually not at the same time!

Zack NeesSenior Consultant

Zack is a results-oriented Project Manager and Business Consultant with more than 15 years of Retail Planning experience. Zack is skilled in merchandise financial planning, item & assortment planning, open-to-buy management, data modeling, and data analytics disciplines. He is passionate about helping customers solve today’s complex retail planning problems.

Zack has held several Planning leadership roles, where he has led large teams in complex organizations with over a billion dollars in annual revenue. He has led transformational change through software solutions at some of the world’s largest multi-channel retailers.

Zack is a Pacific Northwest native who loves the outdoors. When he’s not working with customers, you can find Zack on the ski slopes, fly fishing a river, or living the “#VanLife” with his wife Kate and their chocolate lab, Duder.