EPISODE 6
Lessons from a Fortune 500 Technologist Turned University CIO
From Mr. Brad Englert, Founder of Brad Englert Advisory
Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction to Leadership in Technology Strategy
- 01:28 Motivation for a Career in Public Service
- 03:18 International Experience and Leadership Lessons
- 06:17 Transitioning from HR to Technology
- 09:20 The Accenture Experience and Client Relationships
- 12:17 Principles of Authentic Business Relationships
- 17:21 Transformative Projects in Consulting
- 22:37 Shifting from Consulting to Higher Education
- 32:11 Implementing IT Strategy at UT Austin
- 35:20 Comparing IT Strategy in Education and Corporate Sectors
- 37:34 Balancing Innovation with Legacy Systems
- 39:02 Prioritizing Cybersecurity in Digital Transformation
- 44:36 Embracing AI and Cloud Transformation
- 47:12 The Journey of Writing and Mentoring
- 55:36 Leadership Lessons from Setbacks
- 01:00:27 Future Aspirations and Continuous Learning
OUR GUEST
Brad Englert
A seasoned technology executive, and author of Spheres of Influence. With over three decades of experience spanning the IRS, Accenture, and the University of Texas at Austin, Brad Englert brings a rare blend of public service values, global consulting rigor, and higher education leadership.
He spent 22 years at Accenture, including a decade as Partner, leading large-scale digital transformations for Fortune 500 and public sector clients. As CIO at UT Austin, Brad oversaw major modernization initiatives – shifting legacy systems to the cloud, enhancing cybersecurity, and building governance models that aligned IT with institutional priorities.
Today, Brad advises organizations on IT strategy, leadership development, and vendor engagement, continuing to mentor the next generation of leaders through his writing, workshops, and public speaking.
Key Takeaways
Celebrate progress to build momentum and morale.
Commit to lifelong learning to stay ahead of change.
Make cybersecurity a shared, proactive responsibility.
Stay adaptable across industries and evolving environments.
Foster a culture of proactive problem-solving, not last-minute heroics.
Align governance and leadership buy-in for lasting digital transformation.
Mentorship is a powerful way to scale your leadership impact.
Build authentic relationships, not just networks.
Understand stakeholder goals before driving any initiative.
Set clear expectations and learn to pause before reacting.
Top Quotes from the Conversation
Helping your teams be successful is key.
Steady changes over time lead to success.
Relationship building is an undervalued skill.
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