Ronia Kruse

President & CEO
OpTech

Ronia Kruse is a dynamic executive who leverages her background as a successful entrepreneur in talent management and workforce solutions; as a Certified Public Accountant and financial expert with a big 4 professional service firm; and as a strategic change agent and human capital disrupter to help board of directors and companies achieve maximum financial results. Kruse is the founder and CEO of OpTech, LLC and OpTech Solutions, a talent development and solutions firm providing services to Fortune 1000 and government clients. She invests in emerging firms and is involved with due diligence for emerging businesses/technologies.

Kruse has served on several board of directors throughout her career. In these positions, she is frequently called upon to address talent shortages, diversity and inclusion, and provide due diligence to tech start-ups. Some of the many boards she currently sits on include: Detroit Economic Club, Detroit Regional Chamber Executive Board; Independent Bank Board of Directors and Audit Committee and ESG task force; Founder and Board Member of Digital Lakes; Inforum Board of Directors and Leadership Committee; Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business – Board of Visitors and BELLE Advisory Board and We Build Character.

In 2023, Kruse completed the Quantum Shift program at the University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business University of Michigan.

Kruse launched OpTech in 1999, just before a sharp economic downturn, arguably the worst time to start a company, but her business acumen paid off. Kruse brings the unique ability to develop talent and leverage technology, particularly in the realm of crisis management. Kruse’s unwavering commitment to OpTech’s success and growth has motivated her to make several aggressive decisions including launching OpTech’s solutions practice and developing innovative solutions for clients in the areas of analytics, cyber security and application development.

Kruse is dedicated to diversity and inclusion and the pursuit of connecting people of all backgrounds. Frequently a mentor to young female professionals and minority talent, Kruse strives to help employees find purpose and empowerment through meaningful work using her transformative strategic initiatives.

Before venturing out on her own, Kruse was a senior tax consultant for a big 4 CPA firm, where she specialized in international tax planning strategies for clients, harnessed business process improvement/efficiencies, and developed financial applications for leading industries. In addition, she served as an adjunct professor in the Master of Science Taxation program at Wayne State University.

Under her dynamic leadership, OpTech has earned numerous awards for its exceptional service, growth, and diversity including being recognized with Clearly Rated’s 2024 Best of Staffing Award for both Talent and Client satisfaction, being named one of the 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies Worldwide by the Women’s President Organization for three years; Inc. 5000’s - List of Fastest Growing Private Companies (nine years) as well as Forbes Best Professional Recruiting Firms –ranking 56 out of 250 nationwide. Kruse is frequently invited to speak in front of a variety of audiences. Some of these include but are not limited to the Detroit Economic Club, University of Michigan College of Engineering, WSU Ilitch School of Business, Automotive News, MichAuto, Inforum, and at the Mackinaw Policy Conference.

In 2025, Kruse was inducted into the Mike Ilitch School of Business Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hall of Fame at Wayne State University. She was also awarded the Women for Achievement and Courage by Michigan Women Forward (MWF).

Additionally, she has received personal awards for her leadership in business, community involvement and public policy initiatives, including EY Entrepreneur of the Year; WJR’s Women Who Lead; Crain’s Detroit Business - 40 Under 40; Mike Ilitch School of Business Alumni of the Year; Distinguished Citizen Award presented by the Great Lakes Division, Boy Scouts of America; and Rhonda Walker Foundation - Powerful Women of Purpose in the Technology Industry.