The chief information officer has become the shapeshifter of the C-suite in the digital era. They are the enablers who put technology at the heart of everything that the business aims to do. Increasingly, that means being the collector of data, the protector of privacy, the builder of systems and slayer of threats, in addition to being the innovator, transformer, talent energizer and strategic partner to leaders across the company.
That may explain why many of the technology leaders highlighted on the third annual Forbes CIO Next list bear titles other than CIO. Some have responsibility for strategy, data, innovation, transformation, security, delivery and - of course - all things digital. Others might not be called a CIO at all. In a world where everything is connected and the platform is the product, the lines between CTO and CIO have blurred.
Titles aside, there’s no question that the 50 honorees on this year’s list have embraced a broad leadership role that’s made them pivotal to their company’s success. Some are managing IT for the largest companies on the planet; others are founders or tech leaders who are role models and pioneers in capturing the next wave of innovation. They might be driving a wholesale transformation of the business or innovating in ways that create a template for others to follow.
By design, this list is not a ranking but rather a spotlight on the technology leaders who are shaping the next wave of business. We reviewed hundreds of nominations and applications for this year’s list, getting suggestions from colleagues, recruiters, industry experts and peers on who is making a difference in the areas that matter most.