CIOs Take the Lead: Gertrude Van Horn, Kris Fitzgerald and Paul Bendel | E05

Welcome back to our special series of interviews called Tech Leaders Untold! In this episode:The role of the CIO and CTO has transformed from keeping systems running to shaping the future of entire organizations Host Fanny Dunagan sits down with three seasoned leaders to unpack the evolution of the Tech C-Suite:Gertrude Van Horn – SVP & CIO at Cien.ai, Former CIO at NCH CorporationKris Fitzgerald – COO at Unknot.id, Former CTO at NTT DATA ServicesPaul Bendel – Executive Director of Tech Titans, the leading technology association in North TexasTogether, they explore how today’s tech leaders must master more than technology. They must be orchestrators, communicators, and visionaries guiding CEOs and boards through rapid change.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why CIOs and CTOs are now strategic drivers, not back-office operatorsHow AI is reshaping leadership, strategy, and cultureThe new balance between risk, innovation, and business outcomesWhy soft skills like vulnerability, curiosity, and communication matter more than everHow Tech Titans organization is fueling North Texas innovation, forging powerful connections, and inspiring the next generation of STEM leadersThe conversation blends decades of C-suite experience with future-focused insights on AI, orchestration, and leadership. If you want to understand what it really takes to thrive in the evolving tech ecosystem, this episode is a must-watch.Whether you’re a CIO, CTO, aspiring leader, or part of the North Texas technology community, you’ll walk away with practical lessons and a renewed perspective on the human side of tech leadership.-----------------------------Connect with Fanny Dunagan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannydunagan/Connect with Gertrude Van Horn on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gertrudevanhorn/Connect with Kris Fitzgerald on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-fitzgerald-baa72/Connect with Paul Bendel on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-bendel-7938119/Want to build your authority and brand as a tech leader? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, a free branding guide and 1-hour training for tech professionals: https://techlegacies.ck.page/newsletter--------------------------📖 Episode Chapters:00:00 – Augmenting, Not Annihilating Your Intelligence00:50 – Welcome to Tech Leaders Untold Podcast x Tech Titans02:16 – Meet the Tech C-Suite Leaders04:39 – The CIO Role 20 Years Ago06:02 – From Back Office to Boardroom07:24 – Data Centers to the Cloud09:05 – Build or Buy? Lessons from the Past10:31 – Why 80% of AI Projects Fail12:09 – The Modern CIO: The Art of Orchestration14:03 – From Smartest in the Room to Chief Orchestrator16:12 – Culture Is the Real Strategy17:46 – Leading Change in the AI Era19:05 – Curiosity and Vulnerability in Leadership23:36 – Teaching, Mentorship & Lifelong Learning25:13 – Skills Every Tech Leader Needs by 203026:07 – Facing Self-Doubt in the C-Suite28:25 – Overcoming Self-Doubt Through Collaboration29:39 – Inside Tech Titans: North Texas’ Tech Powerhouse30:37 – The Four Pillars of Tech Titans34:39 – Why In-Person Networking Still Matters38:07 – How to Learn AI in 30 Minutes a Day40:23 – AI Hype vs. Reality: What’s Working Now43:28 – Quantum Computing: The Next Big Leap45:21 – Building Human Connection in a Digital World49:09 – How Gen Z Views AI and Networking51:47 – Why Networking Still Builds Careers53:31 – Rapid-Fire Leadership Lessons55:32 – Final Advice for Future CIOs & CTOs57:07 – Closing Thoughts & Tech CXO Launchpad