IT Leaders

In this thought-provoking episode, Mike Gill, founder of Five Rivers Automation and former CIO of an international manufacturing company, shares his journey of navigating career crossroads and redefining his professional identity. After 13 years as a CIO, Mike faced a pivotal decision: Was the CIO path still right for him? He reflects on the evolution of his career, the shifts in leadership demand...

In this episode, Rachel Clark, CIO of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), shares her remarkable journey of transforming a system plagued by outages into a streamlined and stable operation. With candid reflections, Rachel discusses the challenges of inheriting a 20-year-old ERP system, navigating state leadership transitions, and managing a critical IT budget larger than any revenue she had encount...

In his talk, “Is Your Technology Destroying Your Team's Productivity?” Glenn Keller, Director of Information Technology at CountryMark, explores the unintended consequences of technology on workplace efficiency. He opens with a critique of modern work culture, noting that, despite technological advancements, productivity gains have stalled, leaving workers with long hours rather than the reduced w...

In her presentation, "Minimizing Barriers to Effective Communication," Sue Freas, Director of DevSecOps Engineering at Humana, dives into the intricacies of communication as a critical leadership skill. Freas argues that effective communication goes beyond simply conveying information; it requires mindfulness about clarity, trust-building, and engagement strategies. She opens with a humorous story...

In this episode of IT Leaders , Brady Howe dives into the core of leadership and human potential, sharing insights from his journey in professional sports to becoming one of the youngest Vice Presidents in NBA history. With over 15 years in the NBA, working with teams like the Phoenix Suns, Howe reflects on the challenges of transitioning from an athletic trainer and strength coach to a leadership...

In this engaging episode, Full Court Leadership: The Power Behind the Strategy , Steve Reese, CIO of the Phoenix Suns, shares his unique leadership philosophy shaped by decades of experience in IT, professional sports, and personal adversity. With a career that spans roles with the Houston Oilers, Tennessee Titans, Houston Astros, and San Diego Padres, Reese offers a wealth of insights on how to l...

In this episode, "Governance Around AI-Enabled Cybersecurity" , Anushree Bag , an expert in cybersecurity and AI governance, offers valuable insights into the importance of governance in the rapidly evolving field of AI-driven cybersecurity. She opens with the critical role that governance plays, using real-world examples like the introduction of cane toads in Australia and the 2008 housing collap...

In this episode titled "Empathy-Driven Success: Bridging the Human and Technological Divide" , leadership coach Loren Sanders delves into the crucial intersection of empathy and technology in the workplace. Drawing from her extensive experience in leadership development, Loren addresses the common disconnect between IT professionals and non-technical staff, emphasizing the need for empathy in brid...

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Seidt, the Executive Director and CIO for the City of Louisville, who has been with the city government for over 22 years. Chris shares his remarkable journey from a police dispatcher to leading the city's IT department, highlighting the importance of leadership that’s rooted in experience, community impact, and adaptability. Chris delves into the complexiti...

In this engaging episode, we explore the art of effective communication with Alex Perry, a seasoned communication expert and solopreneur. Alex brings her passion for communication to the forefront, offering listeners practical strategies to enhance their interactions with leadership teams. She emphasizes the importance of understanding both professional priorities and personal motivators, ensuring...

In this episode of IT Leaders , Dr. Mark Pierce, a seasoned physician and IT executive, explores the intricate relationship between clinical practice and corporate leadership. With over 25 years at Parkview, Dr. Pierce shares his unique journey from practicing medicine to becoming a key leader in healthcare IT. He discusses how his medical background shaped his approach to leadership, emphasizing...

In this episode of IT Leaders , Ron Double, a seasoned IT professional with extensive experience in healthcare technology, shares his journey from an individual contributor to a leadership role. Ron opens up about his background, growing up in a small town and working his way through various educational institutions while developing a strong foundation in IT. He discusses the significant shift he...

In this episode, Chris Bittinger, an expert in leadership and executive coaching, opens up about his personal journey with burnout and shares valuable strategies for managing stress in the workplace. Chris's candid story of reaching a breaking point while juggling a demanding job, doctoral studies, and personal challenges serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of mental health. Chris intr...

In this episode, Chris Mertens, CIO of Hamilton County, Indiana, shares his remarkable journey from rural Missouri to a leadership role in government IT. Growing up in the tiny town of Bonnets Mill, Chris's early fascination with technology set the stage for his future career. Chris recounts his transition from a small, tight-knit community to Lincoln University, where he embraced diversity and br...

In this episode, Doug Theis, Director of National Strategy at Expedient, shares his insights on effective leadership. Drawing from his 41 years in IT, Doug explores the critical question: "How do I lead?" He discusses his journey through various roles, emphasizing that leadership is not confined to those with direct reports; influence without authority is equally impactful. Doug highlights the imp...

In this episode, Angela Ciliberti-Riedling, VP of Product Strategy at QSR Automations, joins us for a deep dive into the critical role of feedback in leadership and professional growth. Angela shares her unique journey from Brown-Forman to QSR Automations, highlighting her passion for technology and product development. She introduces us to QSR Automations, a company specializing in kitchen automa...

In this episode of IT Leaders, Adam Prior discusses transforming team culture at Subaru of Indiana. With over 20 years in IT, Adam shares key moments in his career, such as managing a ransomware crisis and deploying a VDI environment during COVID-19. Adam emphasizes the importance of communication and collaboration, detailing how he implemented regular team meetings, daily stand-ups, and a structu...

In this episode of IT Leaders, Kevin Kujawa, a seasoned IT executive, shares his insights on evaluating IT leadership performance, especially within private equity contexts. Kevin discusses his background at Allied Benefits, where he scaled the IT team from zero to 47 full-time employees and led significant technological transformations. Kevin highlights the evolving role of IT as a core driver of...

In this episode of the IT Leaders podcast, we delve into the art of team optimization with our guest experts Craig and Terry, seasoned leaders with a rich history in IT and organizational development. They share their journey from being competitors to collaborators, co-founding and leading innovative companies, and their passion for building well-rounded, high-performing teams. Craig, who co-found...

In this compelling episode of the IT Leaders podcast titled "How Authentic Are You," Shane Rodabaugh, an experienced leader at Baptist Health, unpacks the critical importance of authenticity in leadership. With over three decades of experience across major organizations like GE, Yum Brands, and UPS, Shane brings a treasure trove of insights and stories that illuminate his journey and the lessons l...

In this episode of the IT Leaders podcast, "How to Build Rapport," Laura Mattingly, a seasoned IT leader with a rich background in development and database design, explores the nuanced art of building rapport within technology teams. Transitioning from technical roles to leadership, Laura brings a unique perspective on nurturing relationships across various IT disciplines. Throughout the episode,...

In the IT Leaders podcast episode "How Does Trust Affect Your Team," Mike Eaton, Director of Operations at Genesis, delves into the transformative power of trust within team dynamics, sharing his personal journey through significant organizational change. Leading the operations within Genesis' education department, Mike navigates a range of responsibilities, from support and sales to data analytic...

In the "Coaching and Leadership" episode of the IT Leaders podcast, Chuck Christian, with a robust background as a healthcare CIO and leadership expert, shares profound insights blending coaching with leadership. Drawing from over three decades of experience, including a significant tenure as a CIO and his role in a Midwest 13-hospital system, Chuck narrates his journey from an X-ray tech to leadi...

In "Stress Management as a Leader," Ryan Brubaker, COO of CSpring, delves into the intricate dance of handling stress in leadership roles. Brubaker brings a unique, relatable perspective to the fore, discussing common fears and anxieties that leaders face—ranging from imposter syndrome to the fear of failure. By introducing practical exercises like the worst-case scenario, the overlook, and the Su...

In this engaging episode "Thriving in the Tech Tornado," Elias Oxendine IV, CISO of Yum! Brands, delves into the critical theme of personal resilience amidst the relentless challenges in IT. With over three decades of experience, including a significant tenure in cybersecurity and leadership roles across prominent corporations, Elias shares invaluable insights and strategies. He introduces the con...