Exit Strategies: Late-Career It Leaders Forge Post-CIO Paths
CIO, Monday, February 9th, 2026
Considering next steps after a fulfilling career as a top tech exec? Consulting, board, fractional, and mentoring opportunities await - if you plan well.
CIOs and other technology leaders are accustomed to facing difficult challenges. Many of them have been doing so for most of their careers. And the hurdles don't go away as these executives enter the late stages of their careers. They just change.
Late-career IT leaders face challenges such as an underestimation of their ability to learn about new technologies and keep up with rapid technological changes, general age-related biases, and others. For those who have been laid off, finding a new position can be especially daunting due to a tight market, ageism, and competition from younger technology executives.