Søren Kamaric Riis is a senior director of technology development at Oticon Medical with over 15 years of experience in engineering R&D and technology management. He is responsible for managing Oticon Medical's portfolio of research and technology development projects done in collaboration with universities worldwide. Riis has extensive leadership experience in building and managing large R&D teams, and has successfully attracted over 5 million Euros in research funding. He has a technical background in areas such as signal processing, digital ASIC development, and implantable hearing devices.

1. Søren Kamaric Riis
Jægerstræde 52  2750 Ballerup  Denmark
Date of Birth: 26th July 1969
Mobile: +45 51176671
Email: sriis@msn.com
PROFILE
I am a senior manager with more than 15 years of experience in Engineering R&D and Technology
management in the Medical device and telecommunications industry. My focus has been on management
and leadership especially in the areas of embedded system development, Digital ASIC development,
audiology and signal processing and more recently (since 2013) on research, technology development and
clinical studies in the area of implantable hearing devices.
In my current position as Senior Director, Technology Development at Oticon Medical, I am responsible for
technology development and for managing our portfolio of research and technology development done in
collaboration with universities and hearing clinics worldwide.
From my recent position as Senior Director, Embedded Systems at Oticon, I have gained experience in
heading large teams of 60+ R&D engineers contributing to all phases of hearing instrument product
development - from advanced algorithm development to final system integration, test and release for
production and sales.
I have extensive experience in management of highly skilled research engineers and multinational research
collaborations between industry and universities. Over the past 4 years, I have successfully attracted more
than 5 mill. Euro funding for research and clinical studies from private foundations, national and EU level
funding schemes. I have been a central player in knowledge networking and research initiatives and have
recently been the initiator and driver in setting up the first International Music and CI symposium at the
Oticon Eriksholm research center – a symposium with 90 international key researchers in the field of music
for CI.
On the leadership dimension, I have firsthand experience with organizational development and change
management. I embrace diversity in development teams – both cultural and professional, and have solid
insight into cultural aspects of management and in successfully integrating R&D teams across companies of
different nationality and culture. From my current role, I have furthermore gained a good understanding of
what it takes to successfully implement platform-based development in a multi-brand and multi-site setup
as well as in transferring platforms, requirements and technologies between WDH group companies.
My management style is transparent and supportive and I am a strong motivator. I have experience in
building teams with a spirit to innovate and successfully implement strategic goals and meet agreed
deliveries. As a leader I take a holistic view and strive to find solutions that push all involved teams across
the organization to “play the game together” to meet common business goals. I’m a strong believer in lean
and agile approaches, with continuous improvement and learning as cornerstones.
Specific skills
• Research & Technology portfolio strategic development and management
• Technology assessment, scouting, outlook & roadmapping
• Management of KOL partnerships worldwide in the implantable hearing device area
• Definition of research and clinical study projects and protocols
• Execution of clinical studies involving implantable hearing devices
• Scientific event organization and chairing
• Fundraising for research, technology and clinical studies
• Multi-site and -partner research project and network facilitation

2. • Dissemination of research and technology results at international events
• Strategy development and implementation
• Communication across organizational layers and functions
• Sales and Product marketing support through research and Technology opportunities
• Organizational development & change management process, cultural and people aspects
• R&D management of complex multi-site organizations
• Medical device development and regulatory compliance
• Management of highly skilled professionals (R&D and researchers)
• Scenario planning, contingency planning and risk management
• Lean / Agile development models
• Systems Engineering management
I’m married to medical doctor Lene Riis and together we have 3 children, Ida (2002), Thomas (2002) and
Nadja (1996). As a family, we enjoy traveling to meet other cultures and being with friends. I enjoy DIY
work, especially working on my Land Rover Defender from 1984. To keep fit I enjoy running and mountain
bike rides.
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENTS
2013 – date Oticon Medical
2002 – 2013 Oticon
1998 – 2002 Nokia Denmark
1994 – 1998 Technical University of Denmark
EDUCATION (Selected)
2015 Leading for Results (internal WDH training)
2011 Managing Product Development, Chalmers Professional Education
2010 - 2011 Internal leadership training, Oticon, Sr. Managers (by Maul A/S)
2003 - 2007 Internal Management training, Oticon, Several (Mannaz A/S, Lederskaberne)
1998 PhD, Signal Processing, Technical University of Denmark
1994 M.Sc.EE., Technical University of Denmark
WORK EXPERIENCE
05/2013 to date Oticon Medical Sr. Director, Technology Development
Reporting to VP R&D.
Responsible for research & technology development, incl. academic and clinical research collaborations
within implantable hearing solutions. Focus on securing that platforms and technologies developed by
Oticon and other WDH companies meet Oticon Medical requirements and are applied in Oticon Medical
product portfolio. Responsibilities include portfolio management of technology development and research
projects and of collaboration project with external university and clinical partners. To guide Oticon Medical
product development, I have a key responsibility in delivering technology assessments, technology
roadmaps and corresponding strategic competence development plans for R&D.
Main Achievements
 Technology & Research activity overview across business areas
 Technology assessment framework to guide management decisions
 Transfer of Oticon technology platforms to Neurelec Cochlear Implant business, acquired by Oticon
Medical April-13
 Oticon Medical representative on the WDH Hearing Instrument portfolio management board –
reviewing product and platform development and providing requirements to these for supporting
Oticon Medical product roadmap
 Initiation of and fundraising for research projects – more than 5 mill. Euro in 4 years raised
 Established portfolio management of Oticon Medical technology and research collaborations with
regular reporting, follow up and alignment to business needs

3.  Implementation of “pipeline” process and governance model for transferring basic research &
scouting results to technology transfer projects and finally to medical device product development.
 Guiding change of strategic focus on technology choices in connection with acquisition of Neurelec
by Oticon Medical
 Assisting sales on access to several new partner clinics in Europe through research partnerships
 Active contributor to WDH group-level strategy for eHealth/tele-health
 Member of the Oticon Medical product roadmapping mgmt. group
 Elected member of the Oticon Eriksholm Research Center management board and scientific
advisory board
 Initiator and main driver of Oticon Medical and Eriksholm First international symposium of music
and CI, a “neutral” research seminar attracting 90 researchers from across the world.
 Management of the systems engineering discipline at Oticon Medical
 Filing of several patents in the area of implantable hearing solutions
04/2010 to 04/2013 Oticon A/S Sr. Director, Embedded Systems
Reporting to VP R&D.
Responsible for embedded system platform development in William Demant Holding (Oticon, Bernafon,
Sonic). The delivered solutions aim at both hearing instruments and wireless accessories. The delivered
solutions are ultra low power and comprise the latest audiological innovations implemented on in-house
developed ASICs. The wireless solutions include proprietary technology, FM and Bluetooth based solutions.
Responsibilities include delivery planning, strategy development and budgeting for Embedded Systems to
meet product needs in our multi-brand roadmap.
Main Achievements
 Building team (team established April 2010)
 Delivery of embedded systems for hearing instrument, FM product and Bluetooth product launches
 Merging multi-tier development of embedded systems into platform based deliveries
 Optimization of production transfer of embedded system data
 Introduction of agile (Scrum) based development in own team
 Gave birth to systems engineering discipline and systematic approach to requirements
management and architecture design
06/2007 – 04/2010 Oticon A/S Competence Director
Reporting to VP R&D.
Responsible for strategic competence development and planning within signal processing and embedded
SW. Make/buy and technology partner scenario planning and decisions.
Main Achievements
 Organizational & process changes accommodate a multi-brand platform based R&D
 Introduced focus on knowledge management systems in Oticon
 Conducted several co-funded research projects with partners at Technical University of Denmark,
Delft University, Ohio State University and University of Columbia.
 Established Audio signal Processing network in Denmark with co-funding from the Danish hearing
instrument industry (Widex, GN resound and Oticon)
 Member of Eriksholm Rearsearch Board, Oticon Research Center
 Conducted numerous knowledge networking events between industry and academia
 Co-supervision of several PhD and master projects.
01/2003 – 06/2007 Oticon A/S Competence Manager
Reporting to VP HR
Responsible for profession and people management within Signal processing, Digital IC design and
embedded SW.

4. Main Achievements
 Personnel management of 40+ people
 Hired 50+ DSP, ASIC and embedded SW designers
 Built DSP, eSW and ASIC competence in Oticon from 20 to 100+ people
 Established incubator department (Greenhouse) – a cross professional concept group focusing on
frontloading R&D development within the area of audiology and signal processing.
 Conducted several knowledge improvement initiatives and innovation projects
 Facilitated numerous training workshops and courses within DSP and digital ASIC design
 License and consultancy negations with external vendors
 Established embedded SW development as a new area in Oticon
 Established wireless Bluetooth SW competence in Oticon
03/2002 – 12/2002 Oticon A/S DSP developer
Development of audio signal processing algorithms for hearing instruments
01/1999 – 02/2002 Nokia Mobile Phones DSP Specialist
Development of speech recognition systems for Mobile phones. Development of Layer 1 algorithms for 3G
mobile phones. Close collaboration with Nokia Research Center in Tampera.
05/1998 – 12/1998 Nokia Networks SW Developer
Development of intelligent network solutions.
11/1994 – 04/1998 Technical University of Denmark PhD student
PhD study on low complexity automatic speech recognition systems
ADVISORY BOARD & RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP EXPERIENCE (Selected)
Advisory Board &
Committee work
2016 – date Appointed member of the Oticon Research Center
(“Eriksholm”) management board
2014 – date Member of Akademiet for de Tekniske Videnskaber (Academy
of Technical Sciences). An independent organization spanning
academia and industry in DK, giving advice to policy makers for
promoting growth through technology
2014 – date Member of Scientific Advisory Board for Oticon Research Center
(“Eriksholm”)
2013 – date Oticon Medical representative in “Innovationsnetværket Dansk
Lyd” (Innovation Network Danish Sound)
2011 – 2012 WDH Representative at European Hearing Instrument
Manufacturers Association (EHIMA).
2006 – 2010 Initiator of, and member of steering group for, “Audio Signal
Processing Network in Denmark” (ASIP-net.dk)
2005 – 2007 Member of the industrial advisory board for “Naturvidenskablig
og sundhedsvidenskablig innovation” at University of
Copenhagen
2005 – 2008 Member of the Advisory board of STVF funded research project
“Intelligent Sound” (http://intelligentsound.org)
2004 – 2010 Member of the “Eriksholm Research Board” coordinating

5. research activities at Oticon’s research facility Eriksholm
2000 – 2004 Member of Industrial Liaison Board at Department of Computer
Science at University of Sheffield, UK
1994 – 1996 Member of the Electrical Engineering Ph.D. Program
Committee, Technical University of Denmark
Research projects &
Studies
1998 – date Supervision of several master, PhD and PostDoc projects and
clinical studies in signal processing and hearing technology,
neuroscience and cognition of hearing related topics.
Oticon Medical research representative in multiple multi-
partner international research projects
Guest lecturer at Graduate and PhD courses at the technical
University of Denmark, Aarhus University, Aalborg University,
University of Southern Denmark and Blekinge Technical
University
International
research visits
1997 Visiting researcher at Speech And Hearing Group (SPANDH),
Department of Computer Science, University of Sheffield, UK
Team of external
examiners
2001 – date Member of the team of external censors for examination in
electrical engineering at Danish universities.
Member of PhD evaluation committee for PhD projects at
Blekinge Technical University and Technical University of
Denmark

6. SELECTED PUBLICATIONS (Recent)
Journal papers
C. Grenness, E. Ingo, S. Riis and A. Laplante-Lévesque, eHealth applications with cochlear
implants: A systematic review, 2016, in preparation
E. Ingo, C. Grenness, S. Riis and A. Laplante-Lévesque, Clinician perspective on the use of
eHealth within cochlear implant care – an interview study, 2016, in preparation
A. Laplante-Lévesque, H. Abrams, M. Bülow, T. Lunner, J. Nelson, S. Riis and F. Vanpoucke,
Hearing Device Manufacturers Call for Interoperability and Standardization of Internet and
Audiology, American Journal of Audiology, 2016, 25, pp. 260-263
S. Doclo, S. Holdt Jensen, P. Pango, S. Riis and J. Wouters, DSP in Hearing aids and Cochlear
Implants, Journal on Advances in Signal Processing, Nov. 2005, Special Issue
A. Krogh and S. Riis, Hidden Neural Networks, 1997, Journal of Neural Computation
S. Riis and A. Krogh, Improving Secondary Structure Prediction Using Structured Neural Networks
and Multiple Sequence Alignments, 1996, Journal of Computational Biology, Vol. 3, pp. 163-183
Conference papers/posters
A. Fráter, P. Maas, J. A. Undurraga, and S.Riis , Electro-Acoustic Cochlear Implant Simulation
Model, ARO Midwinter meeting, 2015
J. Ballestero, K. Smith, D. Jagger, J. Laudanski, S. Riis, D. McAlpine, Response Properties of Spiral
Ganglion Neurons to Shaped Pulses in Electrical Stimulation, ARO Midwinter meeting, 2015
P. Maretic, A. Frater, S. Riis, A. Widell and M.Segovia-Martinez, Optimizing Compression
Stimulation Strategies in Cochlear Implants for Music Perception, Conference on Implantable
Auditory Prostheses, CIAP 2015.
A. Fráter, T. Marquardt and S. Riis, Modeling the mechanical effect of cochlear implant insertion on
the travelling wave, CI 2016 – 14th international conference on cochlear implants, Toronto, 2016
J. E. Kamber, S. Riis, J. Larsen and J. Skovgaard, Optimizing Cochlear Implant Modeling Methods, 1st
International symposium on music and ci, Eriksholm Research Center, Elsinore, 2016
K. Jensen, S. Riis and M. Pedersen, Multilingual Text-To-Phoneme Mapping for Speaker
Independent Name Dialling in Mobile Terminals, In Proceedings Workshop on Multilingual Speech
and Language Processing, 2001, Aalborg, Denmark
S. Riis, M. Pedersen and K. Jensen, Multilingual Text-To-Phoneme Mapping, In Proceedings of ISCA
EuroSpeech, 2001, Aalborg, Denmark
K. Koumpis and S. Riis, Adaptive Transition Bias for Robust Low Complexity Speech Recognition, In
Proceedings of International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing, 2001, Salt
Lake City, US