# Mike Wolfel

> Mike Wolfel is the CEO and CTO of Savana, a Malvern, Pennsylvania financial-technology company that builds a unified operational layer across banks' core systems, employee tools, and customer channels. An economics graduate who became a software architect and technology executive, Wolfel has spent more than three decades working on process automation, including roles at Novacom, Identitech, GMAC Commercial Mortgage, Epitome Systems, and Savana. His public argument is consistent: banks will not fix a fragmented experience with a prettier front end alone; they must connect the processes and data behind it.

- **Role:** CEO & CTO at Savana
- **Organizations:** Savana, Epitome Systems, GMAC Commercial Mortgage, Wolfel Consulting Group, Identitech, Novacom, Simplified Value-Prep
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Penn State University
- **Known for:** Built a career of more than three decades across software architecture, business process management, workflow, and financial-services technology., Helped lead Savana from a workflow-focused financial software business toward a unified, core-agnostic digital banking platform., Oversaw technology and product strategy as Savana expanded its platform across self-service, branch, call-center, and back-office operations.

## Career timeline

- **1991-1998** — Served as chief technology officer at Novacom.
- **1998-2000** — Worked in business development at Identitech.
- **2000-2003** — Led Wolfel Consulting Group while consulting as a software architect for GMAC Commercial Mortgage.
- **2003-2009** — Served as senior vice president and chief technology officer at Epitome Systems.
- **2009-2019** — Joined Savana as CTO and executive vice president of strategy, helping develop process and workflow systems for financial institutions.
- **2019-2022** — Served as Savana's president and CTO.
- **2022-present** — Became CEO and CTO of Savana, responsible for company leadership and technology strategy.

## Achievements

- Built a career of more than three decades across software architecture, business process management, workflow, and financial-services technology.
- Helped lead Savana from a workflow-focused financial software business toward a unified, core-agnostic digital banking platform.
- Oversaw technology and product strategy as Savana expanded its platform across self-service, branch, call-center, and back-office operations.
- Savana reported launching a Paycheck Protection Program loan-servicing experience in less than five weeks after changing its UX development approach.
- Under Savana's leadership team, the company raised a major 2022 Series A round and expanded work with banks including Woodforest National Bank, Primis Bank, Live Oak Bank, and First Horizon's VirtualBank.
- Earned professional certifications including AWS Solutions Architect Associate, Six Sigma Green Belt, Certified ScrumMaster, Professional Scrum Product Owner I, and OutSystems Associate Web Developer.

## Latest updates

- **2024-03** — Published 'Beyond the Core' in Finextra, arguing that banks should focus on operational orchestration instead of assuming a core replacement will solve fragmented processes.
- **2023-06** — Authored Savana's 'Realizing the Vision of the Modern Banker,' outlining a core-agnostic orchestration layer connecting bank systems and channels.
- **2023-05** — Discussed Savana's work with Woodforest National Bank to connect call-center, back-office, and branch operations during a large core conversion.
- **2023-03** — Spoke with Finovate about active intelligence, customer context, and the operational requirements of bank digital transformation.

## Links

- Website: https://savanainc.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikewolfel
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/savanainc
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/Savana-Inc-132878136725856/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/mike-wolfel
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-28