Mark McDonald, Ph.D., is Chief of Research, Distinguished Vice President, and Fellow at Gartner, where he leads research on enterprise transformation and the strategic application of advanced technologies. With over three decades of experience, he helps general managers and technology leaders navigate the intersection of emerging tech and business strategy—distinguishing sustainable transformation from short-term innovation hype.

His research focuses on the evolution of tech-driven business models and the impact of AI, autonomous systems, and digital platforms on organizational competitiveness. Prior to joining Gartner, McDonald was a partner at Accenture, where he launched the firm’s digital strategy practice, advising high-tech companies and global enterprises on growth and transformation.

McDonald is the lead author of The Digital Edge (2012), a foundational book on digital strategy, and co-author of The Social Organization (2011, with Anthony Bradley) and The eProcess Edge (2000, with Peter Keen). His work has been featured in leading publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, CIO Magazine, Computerworld, and at events like South by Southwest.

He holds a Ph.D. in Technology Policy Management from TU Delft in the Netherlands, as well as degrees from Colgate University and Trinity College. Recognized as one of the foremost voices on technology-driven business evolution, McDonald continues to shape how organizations think about strategy, scale, and value in what he defines as the Intelligence Supercycle—a major platform shift reshaping global enterprise over the next two decades.

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