Program Schedule: Leading Technology: A View from the Top
Abstract
This panel will discuss the unique role and evolution as well as the diversity of approaches to the CTO role. Topics will include: what makes for great technical leadership, how to prepare for becoming a CTO, and why so few women become CTO’s and technical leaders.
What is a CTO?
The position of the chief technical officer (chief technology officer), or CTO, is believed to have evolved in the 1980’s. The position became popularized during the 1990’s with the dot-com boom. Although there are many official and unofficial descriptions and styles for a successful CTO, no commonly shared definition of the position or responsibilities exists. Some CTO’s manage the technical staff and R&D portfolio while others articulate the strategic vision for their company. CTO’s in small start-up’s roll up their sleeves for hands on duties while those in multi-national companies deal at the highest levels of industry and government. Whatever the definition, many agree a CTO’s primary responsibility is to think about and act on the technology of the future and lead the technology vision for their organization. This panel will discuss the unique role and evolution as well as the diversity of approaches to the CTO role. This panel will discuss, what makes for great technical leadership, how to prepare for becoming a CTO, and why so few women become CTO’s and technical leaders.
Panelists:
- Sophie Vandebroek, Xerox Chief Technology Officer, Xerox innovation Group President
- Nan Mattai, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Technology, Rockwell Collins
- Greg Papadopoulos, Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Research and Development, Sun Microsystems, Inc
- Justin Rattner, Vice President Corporate Technology Group & Chief Technology Officer, Intel Corporation
Moderated by Kate Greene, Information Technology Editor, MIT Technology Review.