ELIZABETH BACON
CIO / Partner for Fortium Partners
Can you please provide a little introduction about yourself
I am located in Atlanta, Georgia, southeast of the United States. My current role is CIO / Partner at Fortium Partners. I am a trusted technology partner, dedicated to driving innovation and growth for organizations.
As an executive, I collaborate closely with CEOs, CFOs and executive leadership, providing strategic guidance and actionable insights to navigate the ever-evolving technology landscape.
What path have you taken to your current position?
I began my career in Electrical Engineering as an Automation Engineer in manufacturing, where I was responsible for all aspects of technology, including programming, design, networking, infrastructure, servers, and troubleshooting high-speed production machines. This foundational experience provided me with a comprehensive understanding of technology’s role in optimizing operations.
Transitioning to Information Technology, I gained cross-industry experience in Higher Education, Telecommunications, Media, Fintech, Retail, and returned to manufacturing. This diverse background allowed me to develop a versatile skill set and adapt to various technological landscapes.
Significant milestones in my career include my promotion to Vice President of Information Technology, CIO for LATAM at First Data and Regional CIO for North America at Novelis. In these positions, I managed all aspects of Information Technology, I partnered with Business leaders driving strategic initiatives and leading teams to achieve organizational goals.
Has it always been your vision to reach the position you’re at? Was your current role part of your vision to become a tech leader?
My current role is a testament to my long-term vision and dedication to continuous learning. Every step of my career has been aligned with my vision, ensuring that I continuously evolved and adapted to meet the demands of the ever-changing technology landscape.
Have you had a role model or mentor that has helped you on your journey? (If you feel comfortable, please share their name and how they helped you)
I am deeply grateful for the incredible role models and mentors who have guided me throughout my career. Early on, one of my mentors imparted a powerful lesson: “Own your career.” This advice taught me to take charge of my professional journey and make decisions that align with my vision for the future.
At more advanced stages of my career, other role models emphasized the importance of being a leader who fosters trust and integrity within the team and among colleagues and lead by example. Their guidance has been invaluable in shaping my leadership style and ensuring that I lead with authenticity and respect.
How do you see the role of the technology leader evolving over the next 5 years?
We are at the cusp of a significant transformation with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), which are poised to grow tremendously over the next five years. Technology leaders must stay current with these advancements and pioneer AI/ML and cybersecurity governance within their organizations.
Additionally, it is crucial for technology leaders to sharpen their business acumen. By doing so, they can add substantial value to their organizations, enabling business growth through the implementation of cutting-edge technology.
What skills do you think leaders of the future will need in order to thrive?
For organizations to maintain a competitive advantage, they must continuously evolve and adapt to the ever-changing technological landscape that drives business growth.
To consistently add value, leaders need to embrace a mindset of agility and be proactive in leading change and transformation within their organizations.
Is there anything in particular that you would still like to achieve in your career or what is the next step on your journey?
Throughout my career, I have worked for large global organizations, leading teams and implementing technology at a large scale. My next aspiration is to engage with startups and medium-sized organizations, leveraging my experience to help them scale and achieve their future growth potential.
What advice would you give to aspiring technology leaders who are just starting their careers?
Don’t hesitate to take on complex projects that others might shy away from. The more you challenge yourself, the more you grow and develop your skills, ultimately adding greater value to your organization.
Competence isn’t built by staying within our comfort zones; it comes from continuously pushing our boundaries and embracing new challenges.
Most importantly, have confidence in yourself that you will succeed no matter how hard the assignment is, and have fun in your journey!
"Have confidence in yourself that you will succeed no matter how hard the assignment is.'"
How do you measure and communicate the value and impact of technology initiatives to other business leaders and stakeholders?
I communicate and measure the value of technology’s impact to business leaders by speaking the language of business. I use business metrics to demonstrate how technology drives business growth and is critical for maintaining a competitive edge.
My IT strategy is always aligned with the overall business strategy, ensuring that when I communicate the progress of technology initiatives, I clearly show their impact on the business to stakeholders and business leaders.
What has been your most significant achievement or proudest moment as a technology leader?
One of my biggest achievements and proudest moments in my career was when I presented my digital transformation strategy to the Executive Committee, requesting additional budget for IT to fund the initiative. To my surprise, the global CFO responded, “You have an open checkbook, Elizabeth. Go ahead and implement it.”
This unexpected endorsement was a testament to my hard work and preparation, and it felt incredibly rewarding to see my efforts recognized and supported at the highest level.
A big thank you to Elizabeth Bacon from Fortium Partners for sharing her journey to date.
If you would like to gain more perspective from Tech Leaders and CIOs you can read some of our other interviews here.
