What do you do when you’re stuck—whether it’s in a project, a team dynamic, or your own leadership approach? In this episode, Shelisa Gautreaux, a seasoned HR leader and talent strategist, shares practical tools to help IT leaders and professionals break through roadblocks and enhance their effectiveness in leadership and collaboration . Shelisa explores key concepts from Marshall Goldsmith’s “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There” and Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset , illustrating how shifting you...
Feb 24, 2025•28 min•Ep. 54
In this episode, Eric Satterly, CIO of Jefferson County Public Schools, introduces his Five Ates Framework for Transformation —a structured approach to IT service delivery that bridges the gap between technical teams and business needs. Drawing on decades of experience, Eric shares how IT has evolved from being the gatekeeper of technology to a collaborative partner in driving innovation. Through engaging storytelling, including references to The Twilight Zone and the glory days of IT , he illus...
Feb 24, 2025•27 min•Ep. 53
In this IT Leaders episode, Teresa Conroy-Roth, a seasoned consultant and relationship builder, joins Duane Weber, Vice President at Expedient, to share strategies for becoming a trusted advisor. The discussion centers around earning trust through empathy, active listening, and a client-first approach—moving beyond transactional relationships to forge lasting partnerships. Teresa recounts her early career journey, transitioning from teaching to IT leadership roles. Along the way, she discovered ...
Feb 05, 2025•31 min•Ep. 52
In this episode of IT Leaders , Joe Rogalski, Vice President of IT at Delta Force, discusses the evolving nature of leadership in a rapidly changing technological landscape. With a career spanning global roles in both consumer goods and industrial manufacturing, Joe shares insights on leading teams through ongoing transformations. His current company, known for innovations like voice-controlled and touch-sensitive faucets, exemplifies how technology integrates deeply into everyday life and opera...
Feb 05, 2025•18 min•Ep. 51
In this episode of the IT Leaders podcast, we’re joined by Michael Quesada, a seasoned tech executive and thought leader specializing in organizational transformation. Michael shares his unique perspective on leadership as the critical "abstraction layer" that bridges vision and execution in technology-driven organizations. Drawing on his extensive experience as a CTO and entrepreneur, Michael unpacks the parallels between technical architecture and organizational design, emphasizing how effecti...
Dec 04, 2024•36 min•Ep. 50
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 demands, and the lessons learned from embracing career transitions. Drawing on personal anecdotes, includi...
Dec 03, 2024•25 min•Ep. 49
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 encountered in her previous roles. Rachel highlights how she prioritized people and processes over technolo...
Dec 03, 2024•20 min•Ep. 48
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 workload many had anticipated. Keller introduces the concept of "consuming the advantage," where each...
Oct 29, 2024•36 min•Ep. 47
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 highlighting the impact of even minor communication slip-ups, underscoring how easily misunderstand...
Oct 29, 2024•21 min•Ep. 46
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 role overseeing millions in salaries and navigating unprecedented challenges like COVID-19. Howe’s ...
Oct 09, 2024•37 min•Ep. 45
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 lead effectively, especially during crises. He recounts stories from his challenging upbringing in De...
Oct 09, 2024•41 min•Ep. 44
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 collapse to illustrate how lack of regulation can lead to unintended and severe consequences. Anushree hig...
Sep 30, 2024•23 min•Ep. 43
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 bridging this divide. She highlights how IT teams often feel undervalued until problems arise, and then ...
Sep 30, 2024•27 min•Ep. 42
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 complexities of managing IT for a large municipal government, from handling 216 million annual cyber events to...
Aug 22, 2024•38 min•Ep. 41
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 that communication is tailored to resonate with each leader’s unique perspective. Alex shares the "...
Aug 22, 2024•27 min•Ep. 40
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 that effective leadership is a skill set developed through practice, curiosity, and courageous conve...
Aug 14, 2024•32 min•Ep. 39
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 experienced when transitioning from manufacturing to healthcare IT, where he found a deeper purpose ...
Aug 14, 2024•31 min•Ep. 38
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 introduces practical techniques to combat burnout, including the concept of "shared silence" to shift fr...
Jul 24, 2024•34 min•Ep. 37
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 broadened his perspectives. His career in government IT began as an intern, and he quickly advanced th...
Jul 24, 2024•36 min•Ep. 36
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 importance of self-awareness and team understanding through practical tools like DISC, Working Genius, ...
Jun 24, 2024•32 min•Ep. 35
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 automation for major restaurant chains, and discusses her transition from engineering to a leadership role...
Jun 24, 2024•32 min•Ep. 34
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 structured on-call rotation. He highlights the value of cross-training and building foundational skills acr...
May 30, 2024•35 min•Ep. 33
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 business value rather than a mere support function. He explains the importance of demonstrating IT’...
May 30, 2024•36 min•Ep. 32
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-founded Conoco’s Microsoft ERP and CRM division, reflects on their transformative approach to leadership....
May 20, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 31
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 learned along the way. Throughout the episode, Shane delves into the essence of authentic leadership,...
Apr 22, 2024•27 min•Ep. 30
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, she shares her insights and experiences with the "Rapport" program, which emphasizes understanding a...
Apr 22, 2024•28 min•Ep. 29
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 analytics and technology management, against the backdrop of restructuring. His leadership approach, marked ...
Mar 27, 2024•29 min•Ep. 28
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 leading strong-willed teams. He parallels his leadership lessons with those of sports and military figure...
Mar 27, 2024•30 min•Ep. 27
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 Superman, he offers tangible methods to combat these stresses. This podcast is a blend of personal ane...
Feb 19, 2024•32 min•Ep. 26
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 concept of "CAMP BMC," a comprehensive framework for navigating the tech tornado, emphasizing continuou...
Feb 19, 2024•29 min•Ep. 25
