Practical advisors. Collaborative partners. Trusted leaders.

Before founding Toba Consulting, Behzad served as an Associate Partner in IBM’s Global Business Services utility practice. Previously, he spent 20 years at Portland General Electric, advancing through leadership roles of increasing responsibility and ultimately leading the Office of the Chief Information Officer. In that role, he helped shape PGE’s technology strategy, directed a diverse portfolio of enterprise initiatives, and led teams responsible for portfolio and project management, enterprise architecture, application support, business relationship management, and vendor management.

Among his most significant accomplishments, Behzad designed and led PGE’s 2020 Vision Transformation Program, an eight-year, $450 million modernization roadmap encompassing more than 80 technology, operational, and business process initiatives. The program included the planning and implementation of critical information technology and operational technology platforms, including GIS, OMS, MDMS, CIS, ERP, work and asset management, mobile workforce and scheduling, human resources, budgeting, and supply chain systems. He successfully built support for the transformation among employees, executive leadership, PGE’s Board of Directors, customer and stakeholder groups, and the Oregon Public Utility Commission.

Throughout his career, Behzad has led or supported more than 160 complex programs and projects, guiding initiatives from strategy and business case development through implementation, organizational adoption, and post-go-live stabilization. His broad operating experience enables him to bridge business, technology, people, and governance, bringing together stakeholders with competing priorities and aligning them around a shared path forward.

Since founding Toba Consulting in 2019, Behzad has continued to advise and support utilities on enterprise transformation, program governance, technology modernization, organizational change, and workforce strategy. He is known for stabilizing complex programs, building high-performing teams, strengthening executive and stakeholder alignment, and translating strategy into practical, measurable results.

Behzad holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Finance from Portland State University. He has also served as an adjunct professor and held numerous nonprofit and community leadership positions, including serving as board chair for Junior Achievement, SMART Reading, and the Portland State University Alumni Association.

With more than 20 years of experience spanning operations, customer success, sales, leadership, and organizational strategy, Dawn brings a practical, relationship-centered approach to complex business challenges. She is known for connecting people, priorities, and business objectives, creating alignment across stakeholder groups, and helping teams move from strategy to execution.

At Toba, Dawn works closely with executive sponsors, project leaders, and consultants throughout the life of an engagement. Her responsibilities include client relationship management, operational oversight, consultant performance, workforce planning, process improvement, and continuous communication with client leadership. Her focus is not only on meeting expectations, but on creating an experience that builds trust, strengthens partnerships, and delivers lasting value.

Prior to Toba Consulting, Dawn held leadership roles with Gartner and TEKsystems, where she led global executive engagement programs, developed strategic client relationships, supported business and technology leaders, and built high-performing teams. Her experience also includes organizational change management, leadership development, talent strategy, training, business process improvement, and executive communications.

Known for her integrity, responsiveness, and collaborative leadership style, Dawn believes successful consulting is built on trust, transparency, and follow-through. She is passionate about creating strong client partnerships, fostering accountability, and ensuring both clients and consultants have the support they need to succeed.