How CIOs Can Prepare Their Successors
InformationWeek, Tuesday, May 13th, 2025
Guiding future CIOs to eventually take the reins has evolved with the increasing depth of technology, says Michael Zastrocky, executive director of the Leadership Board for CIOs in Higher Education.
Where will future CIOs come from? The importance of CIOs continues to escalate as organizations increasingly tie their operations to IT infrastructure, data, AI, and other technology. CIOs responsible for ensuring complex systems provide a competitive advantage rather than a headache do not simply emerge from the digital ether.
Poaching talent from other organizations only goes so far -- eventually new CIOs must arise to take over. Are they promoted from technology professionals within an organization's ranks? Do they start on the CIO path in college?