Strategic Alignment: Tech, Execs & Boards
LEADERSHIP TRACK / MINI KEYNOTE
ROOM 317-318 / APR. 8 / 9:45 AM - 10:10 AM
About this session
According to MIT research, executive leadership teams and Boards of directors are very aware that their role in strategic oversight of their company’s technology strategy needs to increase but most are not confident in their ability to provide that oversight. That creates a tremendous opportunity for technology leaders to help position their company’s senior leaders for this important role, but how many technology leaders are ready for successful interactions with executives and boards?
This session provides trends and approaches that have led to successful interaction with executives and boards. The presenter brings a unique perspective of someone that has progressed from technology leader to Fortune 250 company executive to a board of director position and an MIT researcher. Insights included are from MIT research in addition to the presenter’s personal experience as a CIO and Board member plus as a researcher and consultant interacting with multiple company executive teams or boards. Attendees should also expect to learn from other attendees in this interactive session.
Key takeaways
1. Learn how you can help your executive leadership team or board to provide more strategic oversight of technology
2. Gain research-proven techniques to prepare for successful interactions with Boards and executives
3. Understand the technology perspective of executives and boards to increase your chances of successful interaction with them
Speaker
Gary Scholten
Industry Research Fellow
MIT Center for Information Systems Research
Gary Scholten served as executive vice president, Global Chief Information Officer, and Chief Digital Officer of Principal Financial Group, a Fortune 250 retirement, employee benefits and investment management leader. He was named CIO in 2002, CDO in 2017 and served in those roles until he retired in 2020. Scholten was responsible for overseeing the global company’s use of technology, as well as leading the company’s use of offshore staffing and overseeing Sourcing & Procurement. Prior to being named CDO, Scholten led corporate strategy and provided executive oversight of Human Resources for Principal.
In retirement, Scholten was named an MIT Center for Information Systems Research industry research fellow, where he focuses on digital business strategies. He also serves on the board of directors for Wellabe Insurance Company, on the Board of Advisors for Paanini, Inc. and is a member of Diamond CIO Council. He is active in the technology start-up community.
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