EPISODE 6

Lessons from a Fortune 500 Technologist Turned University CIO

From Mr. Brad Englert, Founder of Brad Englert Advisory

Haricharan Mylaraiah
Haricharan Mylaraiah
Brad Englert
Brad Englert
Haricharan Mylaraiah
Haricharan Mylaraiah
Brad Englert
Thomas J Sweet
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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

What happens when a global consulting veteran takes the reins of IT at a major research university? In this episode, Brad Englert, Founder of Brad Englert Advisory unpacks a career that’s anything but linear – from public service at the IRS to two decades at Accenture, and finally to leading digital transformation as CIO at the University of Texas at Austin. 

Brad shares how strong relationships, strategic patience, and staying curious enabled him to manage high-stakes transformations – from botched payroll launches to modernizing cloud infrastructure and scaling proactive cybersecurity. 

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. 

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Brad Englert

Key Takeaways

Understand stakeholder goals before driving any initiative.

Set clear expectations and learn to pause before reacting.

Mentorship is a powerful way to scale your leadership impact.

Build authentic relationships, not just networks.

Foster a culture of proactive problem-solving, not last-minute heroics.

Align governance and leadership buy-in for lasting digital transformation.

Make cybersecurity a shared, proactive responsibility.

Stay adaptable across industries and evolving environments.

Celebrate progress to build momentum and morale.

Commit to lifelong learning to stay ahead of change.

Top Quotes from the Conversation

01

Helping your teams be successful is key.

02

Steady changes over time lead to success.

03

Relationship building is an undervalued skill.

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