Barb Streubel
CIO
Krueger International
Barb Streubel is the Chief Information Officer at Krueger International (KI). In this role, Barb is responsible for overseeing the company's information technology strategy and ensuring that all IT initiatives align with the overall business goals.
Before joining KI, she held various leadership positions in the IT industry, where she gained extensive experience in managing large teams and implementing technologies.
Barb enjoys staying up to date with the latest industry trends and she is very passionate about mentoring the next generation of IT professionals. Outside of work, she likes to walk, crochet, do puzzles, read, and spoil her grandchildren.
A fun fact about Barb is that she began in the IT field when punch cards were the standard for programming!
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Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.
During my high school years, I worked at a restaurant where the owners introduced me to the field of computer programming. Around the same time, my brother, who was in college, was taking a COBOL programming class and shared his textbook with me. This sparked an immediate interest in programming, and I decided to pursue education in computer programming.
Before joining KI in 1998, I gained valuable experience working at two other manufacturing companies. Throughout my career, I have advanced and broadened my expertise within the Information Technology field, ultimately achieving the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO).
What is one of your guiding leadership principles?
There are many guiding leadership principles; however, the one that stands out the most is empathy. Empathy helps build strong relationships and foster a supportive team environment. You need to understand and support the needs of the IT team, boosting morale and retention. Ability to demonstrate accountability sets a positive example for the entire team, encouraging them to take responsibility for their actions.
My leadership style is to treat others the way you want to be treated. Always be available for your team, listen to them, have empathy and compassion, trust them, and never believe that their work is beneath you.
What is the greatest challenge CIOs face today, and how are you addressing it?
One of the greatest challenges is navigating the rapid pace of technological change and digital transformation. This challenge is the need to stay ahead of technological advancements, integrate new technologies into existing business processes, and ensure that the workforce is adequately trained and adaptable.
To address this, we focus on continuous learning and development. This includes investing in training programs, fostering a culture of innovation, and staying informed about emerging technologies and industry trends.
What is the key to success for someone just starting out as a CIO?
It is crucial to have an understanding of the company's business model, goals, and challenges. This knowledge will enable you to align IT strategies effectively with business objectives.
Also, building relationships with other C-level executives, your team, and key stakeholders is essential. Effective collaboration and communication are vital for driving initiatives forward.
How do you measure success as a leader?
I measure success by the achievement of our team goals, the growth and development of team members, and the overall satisfaction and engagement of the team.
What is the value of being a member of Gartner C-level Communities?
Being a member has been a valuable experience for me. This group brings together CIO leaders from different industries, where we can share insights and learn from each other's experiences. The relationships I've built have significantly contributed to my growth as a leader.
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