Tech Whisperers: Inside the Playbooks of the Best Digital Leaders

In this episode of Tech Whisperers, we are unpacking the amazing journeys of two CxO giants and industry leaders: Kim Mackenroth and Chris Nardecchia. Kim is the Global CIO for Textron, a Fortune 500, multi-industry company with 33,000 employees worldwide. Chris is the SVP and Chief Digital & Information Officer for Rockwell Automation, the world's largest pure-play industrial automation and IoT company. Whether you're a seasoned veteran of the industry or early in your tech leadership career journey, there is something for everyone in this conversation as we explore over 3 decades of combined digital leadership experience.Join us as we discuss:How to lead effectively when wearing multiple hatsThe keys to success for any business transformationStrategic initiatives for 2023How Rockwell Automation made data a part of its business DNAHow Kim has made Textron a go-to employer for top technology talentGenerational shifts and trends for new digital professionals

As companies and workers continue to adjust to constantly changing workplace environments and cultures, there remain many questions about what it means to “return to work,” what the future holds for in-person, remote, and hybrid work, and how that will impact the way people relate to their work.In this episode, Bob Johansen, Joseph Press, and Christine Bullen join the show to talk about their brand new book, Office Shock, which aims to paint a vivid picture of the future of work, and equip workers and businesses with the tools and mindset they need to be successful moving forward. In their book, they describe “Office Shock” as an “abrupt, unsettling change in where, how, when, and even why we work.” In this episode, we discuss:Why organizations and workers need to be “Future-Ready”“The Seven Spectrums” that guide our decision-making about our work and home lifeThe concept of the “Officeverse” and how it relates to the MetaverseHow to think “Present-Forward” while properly weighing the next 10 years and the previous 50 years.

Leadership takes a certain level of boldness that not many people can achieve, but even with that boldness, many leaders are still afraid to say what they think and be honest about their experiences. Then there's Wendy Pfeiffer, CIO at Nutanix. Wendy is known for her courage to say what everyone else is thinking and sharing what's on her heart. That radical transparency and courage is what sets her apart from her peers, and as a CIO, makes her uniquely poised to handle the ever-changing job expectations that can sometimes evolve even faster than the world around it. In this episode, we discuss:How CIOs can deal with the increasing pressure and responsibilities placed on themHow to build and run a highly effective IT team despite a tightly-constricted budgetWhy leaders should prioritize one-on-ones with their team membersHow to speak from your heart even when it may put you at riskPredictions for the next 10 years in tech leadership

Recruiting the best technology talent has been on everyone's mind throughout 2022, and CIOs still struggle to find the very best talent to their teams that are not only experts in their field, but also a perfect fit for the organization. So we've invited two of the top executive recruiters, Martha Heller and Art Hopkins, to unpack everything you should be considering as your team looks to bring on the best talent possible in 2023.Martha Heller is the CEO of Heller Search Associates, and the author of several books including Be the Business and The CIO Paradox. She is a thought leader in the CIO and recruitment space, and shares her knowledge through the monthly newsletter, Movers and Shakers.Art Hopkins is global co-leader of the Technology Officers Practice for Russell Reynolds Associates and is a member of Board & CEO Advisory Partners. He brings expertise in the CTIO, digital, data, and CTO roles, as well as diversity and inclusion best practices. In this episode, we discuss:What qualities hiring authorities are looking for in technology leadersHow to properly assess a candidate's desire to leave their current role and their interest in the role they're applying forThe right and wrong questions people are asking around technology talentHow to acknowledge and own when you've been fired in the past.

Ensuring a smooth transition between an outgoing and incoming CxO is one of the most complex projects for any organization to take on, but Owens Corning CIO, Steve Zerby, is taking a different approach.Steve has more than doubled the average CIO tenure during his time at Owens Corning, with the key to his success being his dedication to investing in his team members to ensure that as Owens Corning finds success, so do his people. Annie Baymiller is one of those people, currently serving as a VP of IT and a Market-Facing Digital Leader for Owens Corning. After a legendary 36-year career as CIO at Owens Corning, Steve is preparing to hand the reins to Annie, so we've invited both of them to talk about what it really means to craft a high-quality succession plan and how strong mentorship can make or break any leadership transition.In this episode, we discuss:What it means to consider succession as the end of a journey, rather than the beginning of a new oneHow to build a great organizational culture as a data leader to become a great place to workThe importance of matching the actual employee experience to the promised “brochure” experience.Why the greatest technology leaders focus far more on their people than their technology

What kind of career experience, confidence, and leadership capability does it take to have a company's CTO, CIO, and CDO all report directly to you? As Teladoc's Chief Innovation Officer, Claus T. Jensen is the answer. He holds a PhD in Computer Science, he has 17 patents to his name, and has published six books, including the most recent, Digital Transformation for Dummies. Throughout his career, which includes experience in all the roles that now report to him, Jensen has become expert at leading multi-year transformations. He brings his unique talents and skills to the table to help companies get to the next level. Join us as we discuss: Creating a healthcare experience that is more personalized, connected, and meaningful Why leaders need to deal with the “pink elephant” in the room Recruiting the right multidisciplinary talent Successful learning programs for developing talent The importance of living out one's values as a leader  More information about Claus T. Jensen and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claustorpjensen/  Company Website: https://www.teladoc.com/ 

Leadership accomplishments are always significant, but when put in the grander context of a leader's journey, that significance can increase dramatically. How does someone find the inspiration and motivation to become a global leader in digital and transformational leadership having come from a small town in India, where he was raised by his mother? Sanjib Sahoo, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Digital Officer at Ingram Micro, joins our show to share insights from his career journey, how he took hold of his life to build a successful career, and how his team's work at Ingram Micro is transforming the way people engage with technology. In this episode, we discuss: How experience-driven organizations should think about digitization and personalization How Sanjib led the development of XVantage, Ingram Micro's new integration platform and digital operating model, from vision to reality in only 15 months Building trust with senior executives before trying to drive business transformation How Vision, Convocation, Credibility, Communication, and Compassion all work together in transformational leadership The importance of continued learning and growth for digital and technology leaders More information about Sanjib and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjibsahoodigital/ Company Website: https://corp.ingrammicro.com/ About XVantage: https://media.ingrammicro.com/

The military is often regarded as the best leadership development organization in the world, and for good reason. Discipline, focus, accountability, execution, planning, vision, and more are vital components of any successful military member, and they translate into civilian life in profound ways. Digital leaders need to simultaneously understand the grand vision and what their team is seeing from their boots-on-the-ground perspective. Like military leaders, they also need to be able to support their teams, execute under pressure, and make the tough calls when necessary. In honor of Veteran's Day, we bring together three powerhouse CIOs and military veterans: Mike Goodwin, CIO of PetSmart and former Army officer Woody Groton, CIO of Draper and Brigade Commander for the Army National Guard DiAnna Thimjon, CxO mentor, four-time CTO/CIO, and former Army officer In this episode, these IT leaders share how their military experience has shaped their careers and discuss the skills tomorrow's digital leaders need in order to get ahead. Join us as we explore: How military leadership experience can inform civilian leadership The importance of supporting team members by asking for input and providing logistical support The importance of reacting well and executing plans well, even if they aren't perfect How veterans contribute to the workforce Maintaining a “complete-the-mission mindset” while also avoiding burnout Balancing leadership soft skills and teachability with technical skill expertise

What does it mean to be a trailblazing CIO in one of the biggest and most celebrated sports organizations in America, the National Football League (NFL)? How can a digital leader leave their mark in such a complex organization with countless moving parts to manage every day? Michelle McKenna, Founder & CEO of the Michelle McKenna Collaborative, served as the first-ever CIO for the NFL and its first female C-suite executive. She went on to achieve a number of other “firsts” during 10 seasons with the organization before she stepped away in April of 2022. In addition to driving digital transformation and launching new businesses, Michelle led the league through the 2020 virtual draft and the 2020 season during a global pandemic. She spearheaded the implementation of new technologies and processes that have led to better experiences for players, coaches, refs and fans alike. Michelle knows what it takes to think differently about the possibilities of technology and how to create a powerful legacy of digital leadership. Join us as we discuss: How Michelle laid out a 10-year plan during her interview process How to shape the role you're interviewing for before you're hired Why all tech projects are really about the human experience Why digital leaders need the curiosity and courage to move out of their comfort zones How Michelle led her team through complex production and operational challenges Some of the unique moments Michelle experienced while working on the field How Michelle led the charge to replace sideline printers for play information with digital tablets  More information about Michelle and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-mckenna-194472a/ Company Website: https://www.mckennacollaborative.com/

As businesses embrace more digital technology and tools to drive revenue and transform their operations, CEOs are expecting their tech leaders to step up to a new role: transformation leader. This elevation in the organization requires not just a technology leadership mindset but also a business leadership mindset. To make that transition successfully, it takes a true visionary, someone who is dialed in to what the business needs and proactively anticipates and guides innovation rather than waiting around for marching orders. It takes the ability to lead with grace, empathy, and confidence even while under extreme pressure to perform. Rich Gilbert, Aflac's Chief Transformation Officer, is the embodiment of this kind of executive. While Rich's career journey has spanned technology leadership roles at a number of major companies, he's now not only responsible for the digital services organization at Aflac but also its largest P&L. In this episode, recorded at the CIO 100 Symposium & Awards, he draws on his experience to share how to break through glass walls, create business value as a digital executive, and lead through an inspiring vision. Join us as we discuss: How to develop and cast a grand vision and inspire your team to embrace it The importance of iteration and starting from the right place when tackling goals Rich's secret sauce for leading with grace even while under extreme pressure The story behind Aflac's famous mascot, the Aflac Duck More information about Rich and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richlgilbert/ Company Website: https://www.aflac.com/

The best digital leaders know how to build loyalty within their teams by extending trust, leading with intentionality, and always seeking constructive feedback so they can grow. Without these elements, leaders risk a major disconnect between how they lead their teams and how their teams operate — which can damage productivity and, ultimately, business outcomes. Our guest this week is Sabina Ewing, Global CIO and VP of Business & Technology for Abbott, a Fortune 86 company and a global leader in the healthcare industry. Sabina is acutely aware of the fact that when you're responsible for leading such a massive organization, intentionality is a prerequisite. It's how she artfully juggles the seemingly unmanageable demands placed upon a global CIO while nurturing and balancing high EQ and IQ. Join us as we discuss: The importance of managing your personal brand by continuously soliciting feedback, leading with intentionality, creating impact, and refining your execution Why you should honor the legacy of your organization and how to carry it on through your leadership How V.I.C. Initiatives can help aspiring tech leaders advance in their careers The need for creating loyalty and building trust within your team More information about Sabina and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabina-ewing/  Company Website: https://www.abbott.com/ 

We are back for part 2 of our two-part episode with Ralph Loura, recorded onsite at The CIO 100 Awards held at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Ralph is the SVP CIO at Lumentum and has worked at companies like HP, Cisco Systems, and Clorox, and he serves as an advisory board member for several more. In part 1, we unpacked how Ralph approaches truth-telling and storytelling for effective communication. In part 2 we're exploring Ralph's career journey more closely and digging in to the importance of mindset, getting out of your comfort zone, and Ralph's path toward more sustainable tech standards and processes. While you can listen to Part 2 without having heard Part 1, we highly encourage you to listen to both parts. Join us in part 2 as we discuss: Why leaders need to have a steadfast mindset and a preparedness strategy to confront and overcome volatility and uncertainty with calm confidence How to move out of your comfort zone without losing trust or confidence from your team Why Ralph joined Lumentum How to prioritize sustainability as a tech leader and influence positive change  More information about Ralph and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphloura/ Company Website: https://www.lumentum.com Other Relevant Links: https://sustainableit.org, https://genesysworks.org/

We had an incredible opportunity to sit down in person with Ralph Loura, the SVP CIO at Lumentum, for a special two-part conversation at The CIO 100 Awards in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Ralph's leadership journey encompasses some of the most well-known technology and consumer products companies around. Along the way, he's been recognized time and again as an inspiring, transformational CIO whose innovative approaches create real business value. But that's not all there is to Ralph Loura. He also plays a few other vital “roles” for his team: the Chief Truth Telling Officer, Chief Storytelling Officer, Chief Motivation Officer, and the Chief Sustainability Officer. In part one, we open up Ralph's playbook to unpack his superpowers of truth-telling and storytelling, and how he cuts through the noise to communicate effectively and with clarity. In part two, we explore how Ralph motivates his teams as well as his work to improve sustainability in the tech industry. Join us for part 1 as we discuss: How to earn a “seat at the table” in significant conversations and meetings How to take inspiration from multiple sources to focus on solving problems in unique ways How leaders become more effective when they get out of the mix and widen their perspective. Why leaders need to cut through the noise with clear communication so their team can unite around a clear mission in order to collaborate and innovate The importance of research, preparation, and “the meeting before the meeting” when making big decisions More information about Ralph Loura and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphloura/ Company Website: https://www.lumentum.com

While most companies share some standard ways of operating, it's that unique sliver in approach that truly differentiate the great companies from the mediocre ones. At Discover Financial Services, CIO and Executive VP Amir Arooni is spearheading those differentiators.Amir is a strong believer in the importance of empowering people to do great work and developing them to be the kind of innovative anticipators who will continually create greater and more differentiated value for customers. He leads with a philosophy that we can deliver powerful business results through a combination of process agility, technology, and talented people. In this episode, we unpack Amir's playbook to learn: How to win internal stakeholder support for the vision How to build a true appreciation for the current state organization as a new CIO How to keep the customer at the heart of all company operations How Amir's Drive for Small workforce strategy led to a 6x increase in productivity More information about Amir and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirarooni/ Company Website: https://www.discover.com/

The best leaders across all industries are leading their people with HEART: humility, empathy, adaptability, resiliency, and transparency. They are balancing organizational goals with the needs of their teams, delivering consistent results along the way. For a tech leader like Kristie Grinnell, it's a work of art to not only develop those qualities, but also balance them with the often rigorous demands of the tech world – Kristie has always been up to the challenge. Kristie is the SVP and CIO at DXC Technology and is an award-winning executive with over 20 years of experience driving change in public and privately held professional services companies. Through our conversation, Kristie opens up her playbook to share how she leads her teams with HEART. Join us as we discuss: How Kristie embodies each part of the HEART acronym in her leadership approach The importance of accountability and the need to have the hard conversations How Kristie inspires a culture of collaboration within her team How to build a strong and agile team with a great culture Why building trust needs to precede transparency More information about Kristie and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiegrinnell/  Company Website: https://dxc.com/us/en 

Larry Quinlan is a Hall of Fame CIO who is widely regarded as one the most successful and impactful leaders to ever take on the role. As the Global Chief Information Officer at Deloitte, one of the world's largest professional services firms, Larry oversaw over 10,000 IT professionals across 175 countries for over 11 years and drove impressive revenue for some of Deloitte's larger clientele. He now provides technology professionals and C-suite executives the benefit of his leadership experience and wisdom as a mentor, a strategic advisor to private equity, and a member of 13 boards of directors. How do you unpack the playbook and multiple superpowers of someone like Larry? You bring in the reinforcements! We invited a number of individuals whose lives Larry has impacted, both personally and professionally, to contribute to this interview. As each guest poses a thoughtful question, we gain more insight into what makes Larry Quinlan so special and how current technology leaders can apply the experience he has gained to make a real difference in the organizations they lead. Join us as we discuss: How to effectively lead an organization through economic turmoil and uncertainty Why tension can be good for organizations How to guide constructive dialogue to help your team discover the right answers Why a passion for people is the foundation for successful leadership What SCUBA diving and technology leadership have in common How to maintain balance between your professional and personal lives as a technology leader  More information about Larry and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larryquinlan/

We are back for part 2 of our 2-part series with Charlie Feld, an industry legend who helped to shape the modern CIO role before it even existed! Charlie Feld is the founder and CEO of The Feld Group Institute and currently works with 80 companies on executive leadership development. He has been instrumental in transforming the narrative about technology throughout his 55-year career journey and is credited with not just transforming companies, but entire industries, as well. While you can listen to Part 2 without having heard Part 1, we highly encourage you to listen to both parts. You won't want to miss all the amazing insights Charlie shared! Join us in part 2 as we discuss: How evolving technology introduces new problems that must be solved The importance of implementing strategies that can adapt to ongoing changes in the world Agility-based frameworks, and stories from companies that are using agility effectively in their strategy The pattern-seeking secrets of successful modern digital leaders More information about Charlie Feld and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-feld-a7790aa0/ Company Website: https://feldgroupinstitute.com/

As someone who has helped to shape the modern CIO role before it even existed, Charlie Feld is an industry legend who has been instrumental in moving the narrative about technology forward. He's credited with transforming not just companies, but entire industries as well. This giant among giants has so much leadership wisdom to share that we couldn't fit it all into one episode! In this special two-part episode, Charlie shares learnings from 55 years of transformation, leadership experiences, and battle scars, as well as his views on the challenges today's digital leaders are confronting. Join us for part 1 as we discuss: The evolution of leadership in technology-driven transformation over the last 50 years Navigating complexity and the need for leaders to focus on multiple outcomes — business, architectural and productivity The blind spots between business leaders and IT leaders Model frameworks for getting buy-in and support from executive leadership More information about Charlie Feld and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-feld-a7790aa0/ Company Website: https://feldgroupinstitute.com/

Few people truly appreciate the complexity, effort, and vision required to establish and maintain global leadership in any industry, let alone luxury beauty products. The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is the global leader in prestige beauty and a Fortune 500 company with over 25 brands spanning across 150 countries.This week, we take a look inside the playbook of the company's CIO, Michael Smith, who is spearheading innovation through technology in exciting new ways. Prior to joining The Estée Lauder Companies, Michael spent 22 years in IT leadership roles at Nike and 4 years leading technology and digital innovation at Mylan. Michael also sits in board advisory positions at multiple companies. He is the founder and Chair of The TechPACT, a coalition of tech leaders and CIOs that is leading the charge for diversity, inclusion, and equity in the technology industry. He also founded Tech Day of Pink to unite technologists and IT professionals worldwide around breast cancer awareness, education, and fundraising. Join us as we discuss: Michael's leadership philosophy of joy, and how it helps him bring out the best in people The value of “patient persistence” and “confident calm” in a constantly changing environment How Estée Lauder is using technology to anticipate customer needs and deliver innovative, superior products How The TechPACT is working for increased representation and equity in the technology space More information about Michael and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwshome/ Company Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-estee-lauder-companies-inc/ Other Relevant Links: https://techpact.org/ https://www.techdayofpink.com/

In this episode, you'll have the chance to hear from not one but three remarkable CIOs: Julie Cullivan, Wayne Shurts, and Carol Zierhoffer. In addition to being accomplished digital leaders and executives with impressive track records across a multitude of companies and industries, they currently serve on a dozen public and private boards of directors combined. Julie, Wayne, and Carol have generously agreed to share their journeys from the C-suite to the board room, their advice on how to get there, and what you can do to be a differentiator once you're there. You'll also learn why you should consider pursuing a board seat even if you're not ready to retire, especially if you're ready to expand your influence, gain new perspectives, and take your leadership to the next level. For more information about each guest: Julie Cullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliecullivan/ Wayne Shurts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayneshurts/ Carol Zierhoffer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-zierhoffer/

As CIO for Consumer & Community Banking (CCB) at JPMorgan Chase, Gill Haus plays a major role in the firm's business and its success, leading more than 12,000 technologists globally and overseeing an annual technology budget of $4 billion — a third of ​​the firm's overall annual investment in technology. He is also a member of the CCB Leadership Team and the firm's Global Technology Leadership Team (GTL). Gill's passion for technology has taken him on a career journey that has spanned such organizations as PayPal, AOL and Capital One, and each of these diverse experiences has played a part in informing his leadership philosophy today. As he will tell you, delivering a world-class experience to JPMorgan Chase's 60 million active digital customers requires more than just great technology, systems and processes; it also requires a team of forward-thinking engineers, technologists and problem-solvers who understand and are driven by the opportunity to make a difference in their customers' lives. Join us as we unpack Gill's playbook and explore: His vision and intention around reimagining software delivery practices How he's using agile principles to improve the employee and customer experiences How to strategically apply the lessons of startups and large corporations to lead a successful technology organization Technology's role in creating a frictionless customer experience — and why the technology you can't see is just as important as the end design More information about Gill and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orongillhaus/   Company Website: https://www.jpmorganchase. com/

In the healthcare industry, advances in technology and innovative digital services are not only transforming the patient and employee experience, they're transforming lives. It takes bold leadership, a clear vision and an engaged and supported team to deliver on those big promises. In addition to serving as EVP and Chief Transformation & Digital Officer at Novant Health, a not-for-profit healthcare system serving communities in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, Angela Yochem has taken on significant P&L responsibilities as COO and General Manager of its spinoff, Novant Health Enterprises, with ancillary ambulatory locations spanning 13 states. Join us as we discuss: Angela's journey of building Novant Health Enterprises How to engage talent and technology to build a disruption-proof organization Best practices for building a culture that values openness, curiosity and learning More information about Angela and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayochem/  Company Website: https://www.novanthealth.org/ 

As the technology agenda grows bigger and bolder, today's CXOs need to empower their teams to make decisions, take action, and create real business value. How can you draw on your experience and personal leadership style to engage your teams, accelerate collaboration, and increase business impact? In our conversation with Neal Sample, CIO at Northwestern Mutual, you'll hear: The key soft skills for leading high-performing teams The importance of getting started vs. having the perfect plan Unique approaches to attracting, retaining, and growing tech talent Actionable steps to show up as a true business partner More information about Neal Sample and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealsample/  Company Website: https://www.northwesternmutual.com/ https://events.foundryco.com/event-series/cio100-symposium-and-awards/awards/cio100-awards/

In this introductory episode, host Dan Roberts, CEO of Ouellette and Associates, provides a sneak peak of what listeners are in store for with these candid conversations with the world's best digital leaders.. Tune in for:  More about the show and its mission A preview of topics and guests Highlights of what you'll learn from these influential leaders More information about Dan Roberts and today's topics: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-roberts-21b9357/  Company Website: https://www.ouellette-online.com/  To make sure you never miss an episode of the Tech Whisperers podcast, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Tech Whisperers in your favorite podcast player.