Jim Rutt

CIO/CISO at Dana Foundation

Can you please provide a little introduction about yourself

Based out of the Greater New York City metropolitan area, I've been at Dana for 12 years and run all tech and cyber at the Foundation.

What has your journey to your position been like? What path have you taken?

I started in 1996 after a five-year career in marketing. I found that I enjoyed working with technology and was looking for an entry into the industry. I found a Microsoft training program for the MCSE and took the training and all certification exams, after which I landed a job as a Help Desk Analyst. The journey from there took me through numerous positions in the healthcare, finance and pharmaceutical industries. My first management position was in 2001 at Emblem Health (then called HIP Health Plans), and I reached the CIO position in 2016 at my current organization (Dana).

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?

It was always my vision to reach this level, the journey hasn't always been easy but the rewards have been well worth it.

Have you had a role model or mentor that has helped you on your journey?

I've had a number of mentors along the journey, I think the best advice I received was to build key relationships and pathways that have mutual benefit for all parties involved.

How do you see the role of the technology leader evolving over the next 5 years?

I see it evolving into a true business partner on an equal footing of influence with all other C-level stakeholders.

What skills do you think leaders of the future will need in order to thrive?

Leadership, presentation, good business skills and the passion to discover new innovations in technology that can catapult their organization and themselves into a world-class operation.

How do you keep current with new skills, technologies and personal development?

Reading technology publications online, as well as participation in multiple practitioner affinity groups.

What do you see as the next leap in technology that will impact your business or industry in particular?

The biggest one right now is AI, particularly ChatGPT, it will be interesting to see how career paths in digital-grounded roles will adapt as a result.

"Focus on what's best for the organization first."

If you were mentoring a leader of the future, what advice or guidance would you give to help them on their way?

Focus on what's best for the organization first, as a result your personal goals for your career will get added momentum

Is there anything in particular that you would still like to achieve in your career or what is the next step on your journey?

As a practitioner, I feel I've accomplished everything I originally planned, I also enjoy mentoring and advising companies within our industry and I see that as part of the next phase of my journey eventually. However, I'm quite happy in my current role at Dana. 

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

I would've liked to have the insight to pursue technology earlier in my career, however, I'm quite satisfied with the intervening turn of events.

A big thank you to Jim Rutt from Dana Foundation for sharing his 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.