Anita Chu
Chief Information Officer & Central Business Leader
Deloitte
Anita Chu is the Chief Information Officer & Central Business Leader at Deloitte Canada, and a Governing Body Member of the Toronto CIO Community.
A fun fact about Anita, she says, “My son and I do a lot of traveling to explore cities around the world. I love the hustle and bustle of big, busy cities. Tokyo and Madrid are two of my favourites because I enjoy their energy, urban design, and culture. But wherever we are, I make a point to scope out the best the city has to offer for food and sights, while my son goes on a hunt for collectibles, figurines and other gaming and anime paraphernalia.”
Learn more about the Toronto CIO community here.
Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.
My roots were in consulting where I discovered my passion for technology transformation in a number of sectors. From there, I’ve progressed through several leadership roles in technology which allowed me to explore and lead every facet of an IT organization, including project management, IT financial management, cybersecurity, support services, application development and more. Having been surrounded by and mentored by some of the best tech executives out there, I was empowered to take the lead of our technology organization feeling confident and energized to drive the strategic direction of a world class team. Today, our IT organization is enabling people to connect, grow and win in the market, thanks to the innovative solutions and services we provide and the client-centric mindset we take on every step of the way.
What is one of your guiding leadership principles?
For me, it’s all about empowerment. I believe in inspiring my team, giving them space to lead and advise, and making sure everyone understands not just what we’re doing, but why it matters. Most of all, being very deliberate about recognizing a team or employee for the impact and value they bring to the table is the single most important principle that perpetuates the momentum of continued success.
What is the greatest challenge CIOs face today, and how are you addressing it?
Keeping up with rapid change in technological advancements and the governance that comes with it all, particularly around AI and cybersecurity. I invest a lot of trust in my team of leaders and deep experts to advise on the best approaches to address our challenges. It’s essential that I keep the lines of communication open to stay ahead of any challenge. When coming up with solutions together, it’s essential that we embrace innovation and seize every opportunity to upskill, adapt and grow. Staying in close touch and collaborating with tech industry counterparts has also become essential to overcome challenges as we navigate an increasingly complex technology and risk landscape.
What is the key to success for someone just starting out as a CIO?
Stay curious and build great relationships. Success comes from understanding not only the technology out there but also the business, its needs and strategic priorities. Running IT like a business means being open to new ideas, keeping a client centric state of mind and understanding what technology best suits the increasing demands we face in the most optimal way.
How do you measure success as a leader?
I look at how well my team is doing and how our most dedicated top talent is growing. We can only deliver on our objectives and continue to bring value and impact if our talent is bringing their best every day. If my own backyard is blooming, I know our outward impact and customer feedback are strong.
What is the value of being a member of Gartner C-level Communities?
It’s an exciting but complex time to be a technology leader. The vast technology landscape can be best explored with a vast network of peers to help you journey through it. I’m here for the inspiration and insights to be gained from fellow CIOs and technology leaders. Exploring the industry together with some of the top minds in technology will yield new perspectives and practical takeaways.
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