Through innovation, determination and leadership, women are redefining what’s possible in the tech world. In celebration of Women’s History Month, four visionary CIOs shed light on the strategies, achievements and lessons that have shaped their careers. Their valuable insights speak to issues all people face as they navigate their personal and professional journeys.
Reflecting on my career
I’ve learned that IT isn’t just about technology. It’s about the people who drive it. Leadership is about understanding that people are the true heart of innovation. As a leader, it’s crucial for me to support and empower them in every way possible.
Leading with strategy
By focusing on outcomes and staying curious, I continuously adapt to the ever-evolving technological landscape. The needs of our people and our customers are always my top priority.
"Believe in yourself — because you have what it takes."
Leveraging technology for success
I strive to use technology thoughtfully and strategically. It’s about more than implementing the latest innovations. We must align technology with our strategic business objectives to help build secure and efficient operations.
Best career advice
The best advice I’ve ever received was to “believe in yourself — because you have what it takes.” This mantra has always reminded me to trust my abilities and not let self-doubt hold me back. Every mentor I’ve had — both men and women — has shared that the key to success is believing in your potential and putting in the necessary work to achieve it.
Maria Luisa Polo Orbe
Chief Information Officer
Banco de Crédito del Perú
Innovative leadership
It’s important to foster digital collaboration to keep my team aligned and motivated, especially in a hybrid work environment. To help drive innovation, I encourage a culture of continuous learning and experimentation, where technology can be a vehicle for growth and change.
Best career advice
A great leader and mentor once told me that how you respond to a problem or mistake is more important than the event itself. This advice helped me develop a mindset that considers every challenge an opportunity for learning and growth. Being wrong can be scary, of course, but there are always opportunities to be found.
"How you respond to a problem or mistake is more important than the event itself."
Staying motivated and focused on goals
Three things are critical to staying motivated: work on projects that challenge you, surround yourself with people who challenge you, and establish and maintain boundaries so you can disconnect, recharge and come back stronger.
Innovative leadership
Fostering a culture of innovation is key. You need people to feel comfortable experimenting and pushing boundaries. It’s all about embracing technology’s potential — whether that means championing cloud solutions, exploring automation or driving the adoption of new platforms. You must find the right tools to empower teams so they can unlock growth and help deliver tangible business results for customers.
Strategies to stay motivated
To stay motivated and focused on my goals, I prioritize setting clear objectives, maintaining open communication and celebrating wins along the way. Transformation requires sustained effort, and recognizing progress helps keep the team energized and focused on the bigger picture.
"Never stop learning and never be afraid to apply what you learn."
Best career advice
The best advice I’ve received is to “never stop learning and never be afraid to apply what you learn.” The tech landscape is constantly evolving, so embracing continuous learning is essential. It’s not just about earning formal certifications; it’s about staying curious, experimenting with new technologies and being open to new ways of doing things. This dynamic environment keeps the work exciting and challenging.
Reflecting on my career
I wish I had learned earlier that technology is just one piece of the puzzle. As you progress into leadership roles, clearly communicating the value of technology to different stakeholders, building consensus and navigating complex organizational dynamics becomes equally important. You have to speak the language of business, not just the language of IT.
Lea Eriksen
CIO, Director of Technology & Innovation
City of Long Beach, California
Technology as a connector
Technology is a powerful enabler of connection and collaboration. As a leader, I use it to create transparency, build trust and empower employees with the tools and data they need to help improve city services.
Transforming city services
I’m proud of the City of Long Beach’s Smart City initiative, which addresses civic challenges by using emerging technologies to improve city services. By engaging the community, city staff and the private sector, we’ve implemented innovative solutions that benefit residents by helping the city become more connected, secure and future-ready.
"Leadership happens at all levels and doesn’t require a formal title."
Best career advice
Always look for opportunities to learn and contribute. This mindset has helped guide my career by encouraging me to pursue roles where I could grow and make a meaningful impact.
Reflecting on my career
Leadership happens at all levels and doesn’t require a formal title. Early in my career, I waited until I was in a leadership role to start learning how to lead — and that was rough. Fortunately, I learned from my mistakes, took personal assessments and invested in leadership training. As a result, both my leadership and my teams are stronger today.
