Gina Loften |
Chief Technology Officer - Microsoft US
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Today's episode is a Simply Tech LIVE interview featuring my co-host, Ali Mazaheri, and our special guest, Gina Loften. Gina is the Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft US, where she connects business leaders to unique perspectives that inspire them to drive the future of their business and accelerate and deliver digital transformational journeys built on deep customer knowledge and industry expertise.
Prior to Gina's career at Microsoft, she led global initiatives for IBM’s Watson, served as IBM’s CTO for North America Consulting Services and Hybrid Cloud, and was a leader in IBM’s Global Cloud Consulting Services business unit. Outside of Microsoft, she has served on the boards of George Mason Research Foundation, Museum of Life and Science, and Rise Against Hunger. Gina has addressed social topics that include how AI can help mental health among veterans, the true value of data for government and how open source can bring agencies to the cloud.
Gina graduated from the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a degree in Electrical Engineering - a Historically Black Research University. Gina is incredibly passionate about Diversity & Inclusion, diverse thinking in the future of the workplace both internally and externally as it impacts people and organizations globally, and inclusion, inspiring today's youth to achieve their goals and inclusive work cultures that bring accessibility into a more modern workplace. Gina's thought leadership consistently finds a place across Women in Tech and Girls in Stem dialogues in the industry and across various communities.
***Navigate the episode***
[07:47] Common trends Gina has seen within the industry following the cross section of technology and culture
[10:43] Gina’s career at IBM, and the main differences between tech giants IBM and Microsoft
[12:49] The definition of the connected customer experience
[15:59] How Gina’s personal journey of adversity has helped her develop a perspective of empathy, compassion, and contribution
[20:20] Specific areas of interest that energize Gina across technology and business
[27:06] How those seeking career success can leverage experience and opportunities in the journey to leadership
[26:51] Gina’s guidance to those looking for highly technical leadership roles in large organizations