Robert headshot, 2024

Board Director & Pension Trustee
Digital Transformation Executive

Former Discover Head of MarTech
Former Amazon Product Manager

Executive Summary

Robert Allen is a product executive, entrepreneur, and independent researcher based in Sebastian, Florida. He retired at 36 and now directs his energy toward building companies, advancing scientific research, and giving back to the institutions that shaped him.

Robert's career spans two decades of high-impact product leadership. As a product executive at Amazon and Discover Financial Services, he delivered results measured in tens of millions of dollars — reducing customer acquisition costs by 42% at Amazon and generating $43M in impact at Discover in under 18 months. He has led international cross-functional teams across 13 countries, built enterprise product organizations from scratch, and managed budgets and stakeholder relationships at the highest levels.

Today, Robert's professional focus spans investment, technology, and science. As founder of ZingLab, an independent research laboratory, he developed an early-onset dementia risk assessment tool in collaboration with researchers at Loughborough University — a simple, accessible digital test now informing new lines of cognitive decline research. ZingLab is currently conducting original experiments in microbiome science, exploring targeted interventions with implications for human health. He also holds a utility patent and is bringing his Nested Hex Adapter device to market through major online retail channels.

A published author of four science fiction novels, Robert brings creative range to everything he does. He has served as a guest speaker in AI debates and is an active voice in the technology community. He currently serves as a Trustee on the Sebastian Police Pension Board and as Marketing Committee Chair for Florida Tech's College of Business — his alma mater, where he earned his B.S. in International Economics. He later completed his MBA in Management Information Systems at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Board Positions

Florida Tech Logo

Committee Chair

Florida Institute of Technology, Bisk College of Business Advisory Board

June 2024 - current

It is an honor to support the Florida Institute of Technology Bisk College of Business
FIT CoB Board

  • Chair of College of Business Marketing Committee.
  • Guide marketing strategy for programs serving 7,000 students.
Sebastian City Logo

Trustee

Member, Board of Trustees

Sebastian City Police Retirement Investment Commission

June 2024 - current

It is my distinct privilege to serve the City of Sebastian by joining the Police Retirement Investment Fund alongside, and to the benefit of, the brave men and women keeping our city safe.

  • Serve as fiduciary trustee for municipal police pension fund.
  • Oversee investment policy and actuarial compliance.
  • Ensure sustainable retirement benefits for city police officers.

Professional Experience

ZingLab Logo

Founder

ZingLab

May 2023 - Current
  • Created an early-detection test for dementia with Loughborough University researchers.
  • Investigating the use of microbiome to improve health and wellness.
  • Develop AI-enabled solutions for businesses.
  • Provide strategic consulting on digital transformation and marketing technology.
Discover Financial Services Logo

Director of Marketing Operations

Acting VP, Head of Marketing Technology

Discover Finanacial Services

March 2022 - May 2023
Situation:
  • Created Enterprise Marketing Technology organization.
  • Saved $33M through software consolidation and vendor renegotiation.
  • Generated $9M incremental revenue across marketing organizations.
  • Managed 15-person team including 4 directors and $15M budget.
  • Connected 18 previously isolated marketing teams through unified tech stack.
  • Worked closely with Chief Product Officer and Chief Marketing Officer.
  • Offboarded during merger with CapitalOne.
Amazon Logo

Senior Manager Marketing Operations

Amazon

August 2020 - February 2022
  • Built ML-powered dynamic ad platform driving 65% of program conversions.
  • Delivered multi-billion dollar S-team initiative across 13 countries in 18 months vs 4-year SLA.
  • Increased stalled program's conversion ceiling by 60% in 90 days: found 33% attribution gap, optimized copy for 15% lift, created new templates for 10% gain.
  • Managed 6 direct reports while maintaining 70% IC contribution.
  • Transitioned to Discover when my child was born.
Splash Marketing Logo

Founder

Splash Marketing

May 2010 - August 2020
  • Agency providing digital marketing, web development, and marketing operations support.
  • Served 30+ clients across diverse industries including healthcare, finance, education, and retail.
  • Client turnover of less than 5% annually.
  • Grew the company from my garage to 6 employees; Sold the business in 2018.
  • Delivered customized solutions including website design, SEO, email marketing, and social media management.

Speaking Engagements

Florida Institute of Technology Logo

"The Effect of Artificial Intelligence on Business and Society"

Florida Institute of Technology

October 2024

Featured panelist for major forum examining AI's impact on business transformation and societal implications. Presented as Managing Partner of AiryChat AI alongside industry leaders and academic experts to audience of business professionals, students, and community leaders.

Panel addressed critical questions around AI adoption, ethical implementation, workforce transformation, and competitive advantage through artificial intelligence integration.

Media Coverage:
TechRise Logo

Fintech Pitch Competition

TechRise by P33

June 2022

Guest Speaker representing Discover Financial for the TechRise June 2022 fintech pitch day.

TechRise by P33 is a multi-stakeholder initiative to support tech founders from Chicago. We work to ensure access to capital, networks, and knowledge for all. website & livestream

Education

Rochester Institute of Technology Logo

Master of Business Administration

Rochester Institute of Technology

May 2016
  • Concentration in Technology Management
  • Placed three times in RIT Business Plan competitions
  • Mentored student entrepreneurs extensively
  • Inducted into RIT Student Startup Accelerator
Florida Institute of Technology Logo

Bachelor of Science in International Business

Florida Institute of Technology

May 2010
  • Vice President, Delta Mu Delta Honor Society, FIT chapter
  • Won awards for academic achievement
  • Won awards for organizing campus events
  • General Manager of FITV, the campus TV station; Managed 35 student volunteers and a budget of $50k
  • Board Member, Student Activities Funding Committee
  • Graduated in three years