On the road, Lee Rennick, CIO Communities, Foundry

This week Rick Currier sits down with Lee Rennick, Executive Director of CIO Communities and host of CIO Leadership Live, at the CIO 100 Symposium in Colorado Springs. They discuss the evolving challenges CIOs are facing, the slower-than-anticipated adoption of AI, and the critical role of data in driving tech innovation. Lee also highlights how marketers can better connect with CIOs through targeted, personalized strategies that cut through the clutter. Packed with actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to engage tech leaders and understand the shifting landscape of digital transformation.

How CIO’S are navigating change: insights from Lee Rennick on the latest episode of on the road

In the latest episode of On the road, host Rick Currier is joined by Lee Rennick, Executive Director of CIO Communities and host of CIO Leadership Live, to explore the evolving role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the key trends driving the tech industry. Recorded at the IDG CIO 100 Symposium and Awards Ceremony, the episode offers valuable insights from one of the most connected voices in the industry, as Lee shares the top challenges and priorities for CIOs today.

The evolving role of the CIO

As organizations become more tech-driven, the role of the CIO has expanded. Lee opens the conversation by discussing the significant changes she’s observed in her years of interviewing CIOs. “Post-COVID, CIOs went through a huge digital transformation,” she explains, referencing the mass migration to cloud computing and remote work solutions. With those foundational shifts largely in place, CIOs are now focused on how to leverage technology like Generative AI (GenAI) to enhance productivity. However, there is a catch—data is at the center of these projects. Lee shares, “As one CIO said to me, ‘Garbage in, garbage out.’ If the data isn’t clean, no matter how advanced the AI, it won’t deliver results.”

This concern around data governance highlights a key theme: while new technologies like AI promise great potential, they also require a disciplined approach to data management and infrastructure. The risk of poor-quality data being fed into AI models could have far-reaching consequences, which is why CIOs are treading carefully when it comes to large-scale AI projects.

AI adoption: slow but steady

The hype around Generative AI is undeniable, but according to Lee, many organizations are moving slower than anticipated. She notes, “CIOs are still figuring out how to use it effectively. They’re experimenting internally to enhance productivity, but there’s still a long learning curve when it comes to external use cases.” The caution makes sense—AI has become democratized, meaning everyone, from CEOs to board members, is familiar with it. But the challenge lies in building AI systems that are reliable, ethical, and secure.

Lee also emphasizes that despite the excitement, there’s a deliberate pause in using AI for customer-facing solutions. “CIOs are still working through governance issues,” she says. While many are eager to adopt AI to enhance operations, they want to ensure the technology is rolled out in a responsible and scalable way.

Shifts in Leadership: CIOs as Educators

One of the most significant shifts Lee has observed is the growing leadership role of CIOs within organizations. According to research by Foundry, 79% of CIOs have taken on an educational partnership with the CEO and board of directors. Lee describes it as “goosebumpy research,” reflecting how CIOs are no longer just technical leads but strategic advisors educating the broader C-suite on tech’s potential.

Sheila from Aflac, one of the CIOs featured at the event, emphasized this point, noting that her board now includes a technologist, further embedding technology discussions into high-level business strategy. This growing responsibility means CIOs are tasked with both implementing tech solutions and teaching others in their organization how those solutions align with overall business goals.

How marketers can engage CIO’S

For marketers looking to connect with CIOs, Lee offers crucial advice: stop thinking of them as just tech leaders and start approaching them as strategic partners. She explains, “CIOs want vendors to position themselves as partners.” Gone are the days when a generic sales pitch would suffice. Now, CIOs expect personalized solutions that are aligned with their business goals. “They want to see case studies, real-world applications, and research to back up claims,” she advises.

Lee encourages marketers to go beyond the basics, especially when it comes to data-driven marketing. “Know your data,” she says. Whether you’re working in Salesforce or HubSpot, understanding the nuances of your data and segmenting your audience correctly is key. This is particularly important when engaging with top-level CIOs, who expect personalized and thoughtful outreach.

She also shares a playful example of effective marketing she received recently. A vendor reached out to her with a creative bet about a Toronto Blue Jays game, offering memorabilia if they won and a 15-minute meeting if they lost. “It caught my attention,” Lee admits. The takeaway? Creativity and personalization can make a big difference in standing out to high-level executives.

What’s next for CIO’S?

Looking to the future, Lee points out that while Generative AI is top of mind right now, other emerging technologies like quantum computing are on the horizon. “Quantum is going to change the speed at which things can be done,” she says, hinting that once AI is fully adopted, quantum could be the next big leap for enterprises.

She also highlights the rising importance of data sovereignty and energy efficiency in technology, especially in the UK and Europe. As companies expand their data storage and processing capabilities, the need to manage these resources in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way is becoming a critical priority.

Final thoughts

Lee Rennick’s conversation with Rick Currier provides a comprehensive look at the challenges and opportunities facing CIOs today. From the cautious rollout of AI to the evolving leadership role of tech executives, it’s clear that CIOs are at the forefront of navigating complex technological and organizational shifts. For marketers and business leaders alike, understanding these dynamics—and positioning themselves as trusted partners—will be crucial in building long-lasting relationships with CIOs.

For more insights and to hear the full conversation, be sure to check out this episode of On the Road.

Lee Rennick is the Executive Director, CIO Communities, Foundry

About Foundry, an IDG Inc. Company:  

Foundry helps companies bring their visions to reality through a combination of media, marketing technologies and proprietary data on a global scale. Our intent data and martech platforms are powered by data from an owned and operated ecosystem of global editorial brands, awards, and events, all engineered and integrated to drive marketing campaigns for technology companies. Foundry is dedicated to generating and innovating with data, driving demand for technology marketers with 38 offices in markets around the globe. Foundry is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group, Inc. (IDG), the world’s leading tech media, data, research, and marketing services company. To learn more about Foundry, visit www.foundryco.com.