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How many CIOs would climb 16,000 feet up the Andes to test some mobile satellite terminals with digital links to laptops? Providing IT solutions for colleagues in a remote African jungle or high up in the Andes has become second nature to Gregory Smith, CIO of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) based in Washington, D.C. The WWF ranks as the world's largest and most successful conservation organization tasked with protecting endangered species and their habitats in more than 100 countries. Smith doesn't want to dwell on the altitude sickness he experienced, but he would rather talk about his belief that it's better to field test systems before buying in bulk (the mobile equipment worked).

In 2005, he took time to weave his professional experience and teaching experience into a book, Straight to the Top -- Becoming a World Class CIO. He interviewed CIOs from both U.S.-based and foreign-based companies in a variety of industry sectors, ranging from academe to financial. They all shared the same goal of figuring out the Holy Grail of trying to align IT with the needs of the business. Each CIO approaches the management of IT in differently. Some focus more on relationships with other executives, while others emphasize IT best practices and governance.

Join Enterpriseleadership.org for a fascinating conversation with a pragmatic CIO who also happens to have the spirit of an adventurer.

Resources

Do Customers Have More Clout Than Their IT Vendors?

Talking at the Top of the World

Bio

Gregory Smith holds the position of chief information officer for the World Wildlife Fund and is the author of Straight to the Top -- Becoming a World Class CIO. With annual revenues of more than $129 million in the United States, the World Wildlife Fund, based in Washington, D.C., ranks as one of the world's largest and most successful conservation organizations tasked with protecting endangered species and their habitats around the globe. Prior to this position, Smith was head of software development for the American Association of Retired Persons. Since 1995, Smith has been an adjunct professor at John Hopkins University specializing in courses, such as information architecture, Web site design and development, and database design and development.

Production Credits

Elizabeth Ferrarini, Producer
Dana Farver, Executive Producer, Communities Editor-in-Chief
Tom Parish, Audio Producer, Show Host
Kimberly Stone, Web Development Manager
Scott Ebner, Web Developer