Since last March, Chief Information Officers everywhere have supported the largest work-from-home experiment in the history of the world. Thanks to these innovative technology leaders, most organizations have managed to continue operating through this pandemic disruption.
Technology has enabled our new virtual lives; provided access to entertainment, food, and products delivered to our homes; and connected us with colleagues, friends and loved ones. Technology has helped us adapt, adjust, and survive our new abnormal. Without the leadership, planning, and foresight of CIOs, conducting business would be impossible under these circumstances.
SoCalCIO brings together leading CIOs of Southern California’s largest organizations to help CIOs maximize their leadership effectiveness, create value, reduce risk and share success. Through member-led, non-commercial programs, CIOs build meaningful professional relationships with colleagues facing similar challenges, solving problems and avoiding pitfalls.
Throughout this crisis, SoCalCIO members have collaborated locally and nationally with CIOs from across industries. In any gathering of CIOs, the answer is in the room. The challenge one CIO is facing has likely been solved by another CIO. What was their experience? What did they learn? What would they do differently? How could other CIOs benefit from sharing their experiences?
There is no textbook for how to be a great CIO. The best way to sharpen your leadership acumen is to join a peer leadership network with other leaders working on solving similar challenges. The industries and size may be different, but winning approaches to effective leadership and problem solving are transferrable. Every leader’s perspective is valuable and contributes to the conversation – and everyone wins when leaders engage, share ideas, experiences and best practices.
For over twenty years, InspireCIO has been inspiring CIO success through the annual CIO of the Year ORBIE Awards – but this is just the tip of the iceberg. By joining SoCalCIO, technology executives take their leadership to the next level through year-round, member-led programs and interaction. The power of CIOs working together – across public and private business, government, education, healthcare and nonprofit organizations – creates enormous value for everyone.
Together, we are transforming our organizations with technology and enriching our region and our world. On behalf of SoCalCIO, congratulations to the nominees and finalists on their accomplishments and thank you to the sponsors, underwriters and staff who make the ORBIE Awards possible.
Sincerely,
Brian Shield
2021 Chair, National
VP & IT – Boston Red Sox
