Governing Body Spotlight

Jonathan Ritter is the Vice President of Information Technology for IAC, a holding company for several popular online brands and services. He is responsible for the IT operation function of the Corporate office and shared IT services for the enterprise.

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Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.

I have always been passionate about customer service and enhancing the end user experience.  My first role at IAC was an after hours IT support technician which provided me the opportunity to be the point of contact for all IT related issues. By supporting such a wide range of users on a variety of technical systems, I was able to identify areas that could be improved upon across systems, networks and end user support.  

I then became the Senior Director of IT Services, where I used my knowledge and understanding of what the end users needed to be successful to create efficiencies across the enterprise. These changes had a company wide impact and afforded me the opportunity to step into my current role as Vice President, Information Technology, where I oversee all of IT operations and shared services.
 

What is one of your guiding leadership principles?

Always lead by example, be transparent and communicate effectively. Teams work better when they know their leaders are willing to roll up their sleeves. Clearly identifying goals and discussing challenges allows individuals to create a path to success.
 

With disruption being a key theme of recent years, where do you see the CIO role going in the next 1-2 years?

As technology continues to change at a rapid speed, I see the C-level role getting more challenging. Given today’s environment, leaders are looking to the CIO to understand how technology, especially AI/GAI, can drive results at a faster pace. As with any new tech, being able to clearly define and successfully integrate it among all business units including strategy, marketing, and operations is essential.
 

What advice would you give to someone just starting out as a CIO?

Technology changes frequently, so it is imperative that you are able to adapt and be willing to try new things. Challenge your teams to think about solutions in ways that they normally would not.
 

Tell us three fun facts about yourself.

I am a kickboxing instructor, have completed multiple marathons and enjoy cooking.
 

What is the value of joining an Evanta community? 

Evanta provides access to a professional community which has invaluable networking and learning opportunities. Discussing best practices and solutions to common problems from individuals in similar roles is invaluable.
 

Evanta Governing Body members share their insights and leadership perspectives to shape the agendas and topics that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today.
 

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