My Greatest Challenge

Ilene Gordon, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Ingredion

HOW INGREDION CEO ILENE GORDON CONQUERED THE CHALLENGE OF LEADING

IIlene Gordon has long been big on using analysis for problem solving. In her first year at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), she was actively considering math education as a career. While working on her bachelor’s degree in mathematics, she took a summer job as a teaching assistant at a private school. Gordon remembers having a wonderful experience teaching students how to use the computer in a productive way. But the six-week assignment also brought the rookie teacher an unforeseen challenge.

“My reaction was if this is the ultimate, and I am looking for even bigger challenges, then I think I’ll apply to business school,” she said.

On the surface, a graduate program in business administration or management seems a huge leap from teaching basic computer skills or high school algebra, geometry and trig. Gordon herself says she felt a bit ahead of her time—partly because in the 1970s the mathematics field didn’t offer the range of careers for women they do now.

Gordon notes that opportunities were opening up in engineering, but most women that had been a math major seemed to end up going either into computer science, the actuarial field or maybe to a bank. She, however, spotted an opportunity for a female mathematician in business and management and courageously helped blaze the trail. “In my business school class there were 20 women,” said MIT Sloan alumna Ilene Gordon, SM ’76. “Today approximately 30 percent of the students in the top graduate business schools are women. “I think I would’ve ended up in a field that used my problem solving and analytical skills. So I’m excited I chose the field of business, which has so many opportunities for people with strong analytical and problem solving skills.” Armed with the tools and resources to achieve a successful career in business, Gordon, by age 20, was committed to running a business, building a team and a company. After B-school, she joined a Boston consulting firm founded by a man who’d earned an undergraduate degree in engineering before attending Harvard Business School. “I was interested in problem solving,” she said. “And they were looking for people to join the European office so I volunteered to go to London. It was my first international (those days it was international not global) experience and I was exposed to international businesses.”

Gordon also met her future husband in her new employer’s Boston headquarters.

“We were going to stay in London 3-5 years but the company decided to open a Chicago office, another opportunity that came early, to open up a new office and help build the business.”

On reflection, Gordon says that maybe the challenge of opening up an office wasn’t in the original plan but she’s always been willing to be flexible and change the plan for the right opportunity. She also said choosing to go into consulting and getting international experience was one of the most critical decisions in the first 14 years of her career. Another important event she says was joining a corporation. But Gordon always wanted more than to “be a good cog in the corporate wheel.”

“I had two different positions and was given the opportunity to be a line manager,” she said. “I had a mentor who was willing to put me in charge of running a business. I was 32 years old and running my first P&L.”

Gordon says although she embraced learning about strategy—how to build companies, market share, and competitive advantage—and was good at it, what she learned in her profit and loss job was that setting strategy, while challenging, is really the easy part.

“Actually implementing a strategy is more challenging because it requires leading and motivating people to do things they didn’t think they could do,” Gordon says.

“You must have a strategic plan to start with, but taking it to implementation—hiring the best people, executing against that plan, and being relentless with goals and measurements—that I think, really separates successful people from those that are less successful.”

Gordon has proven that success over and over. Since she joined Ingredion in 2009 as chairman, president, and CEO, she has grown the market from $2.2 billion, increasing sales to $6.5 billion. Last March, Gordon told Forbes’ Jenna Goudreau that she was able to come into a legacy business, make major changes, and take it in a new direction because she likes challenges and surrounds herself with people who feel the same way. She famously updated and implemented a strategy that hadn’t been refreshed in years, and managed the largest acquisition in the company’s history. She then boldly changed the company’s name from Corn Products International to Ingredion Incorporated, and showed the strength of character to bring people together, get everyone excited, and reorganize the company.

In December 2013, Gordon told Women of Color magazine, “I’ve been with the company for four and a half years and we have more than doubled our value creation for shareholders. Now we’re $6.5 billion in sales. We laid out our plan and have a strong balance sheet; great people and a leadership position in the ingredient solutions market,” adding, “As an ingredient company, there’s no reason why we can’t continue to grow and create even more value for our customers, employees and our shareholders. It’s not about what you’ve done in the past but about the value you’re going to create in the future.”

Previously, as president and CEO of Alcan Packaging, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Group, Gordon led the $6.5 billion global packaging business. Prior, she was a senior vice president of Alcan, Inc. and president of Alcan Packaging’s $1.4 billion food packaging Americas unit. Before Alcan acquired Pechiney in 2003, Gordon was Pechiney’s senior vice president and president of plastic packaging, where she was responsible for a business with locations in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Gordon was the first female officer at Tenneco Inc, and spent 17 years in executive roles at the Packaging Corporation of America, a division of Tenneco Inc. She was vice president and general manager of the company’s folding carton business, vice president of operations at the Tenneco corporate level, VP, total quality management, which included continuous improvement, VP and general manager of corrugated and specialty packaging; and vice president of strategy.

“It’s all about accountability,” Gordon surmises. “I tell our people here that we lay out a strategic plan; update it every year and then have an operating plan.”

The keys to success she says are laying out metrics.

“We call them key performance indicators (KPIs) where people commit to action plans they will implement during the year and measure the progress of those action

plans. We measure effectiveness about accountability. It’s doing what you said you were going to do. So we have a plan, layout targets and measurements and then measure every quarter how we’re doing against those targets. At year end we evaluate: ‘did we achieve what we said we’re going to achieve?’ and lay out a new set of targets. Sometimes it’s strategy or laying out the next stage of the implementation plan.”

On teaching and growing the next generation, Gordon says Ingredion spends a lot of time developing people internally as well as recruiting talent.

“Part of our company culture is exciting and developing employees. So when we recruit people we tell them that we’re going to have a development plan to help get you to your objectives. This might mean getting someone international assignments, a short rotation, or operating experience where they get a chance to run a business as opposed to just analyze numbers in the office. We tell people that we’re going to mentor them, and we do.”

Gordon says that contrary to current trends she still plays an active role in interviewing.

“I interview a lot of people you wouldn’t normally think; people two or three layers down. I say to them we’re going to treat you like I was treated. We’ve put people in assignments bigger than they are—assignments that people are going to grow into. People have come back and said, ‘I really loved when I heard that you were going to challenge me and put me in a job that I may not be quite ready for, but you were confident that you’ll give me the opportunity faster that I would get at another company.’

“It’s important that we do that for new hires and people we’re managing internally,” she said.

Ingredion looks for people with analytical backgrounds. Because no matter what field you’re in, whether it’s human resources, manufacturing, management or engineering, you need to have skills to analyze the facts and information to make recommendations, she said. “I look for people that have an analytical view on the world. I also look for people who are curious, in other words people who have a lot of questions. I call it ‘peeling the onion’ so that when they are in a job they don’t just take the information as given. They dig deeper and ask another question; they’re inquisitive but collaborative because this isn’t about someone being the smartest person in the room but working as part of a team instead of being the individual problem solver. Analytic, curious and collaborative are the three things that we look for in our people.”

When Gordon isn’t working, she likes to relax in nice weather, run on the beach in Aruba, or play a little golf with her husband and son. The couple has two adult children. Gordon also likes to watch movies. Her sister is an independent filmmaker. One of her favorite films she says is “Gladiator” which she admits to have watched multiple times.

“It shows strong leaders, strong women and values,” she said. “This is a movie that depicts all the themes I experience in daily life. It’s all about having a strategy and leaders who are collaborative. The ones who’re collaborative are the winners.”

Gordon is equally drawn to bestsellers. She even admits to reading Sheryl Sandberg’s bestseller, Lean In.

“Not so much for me,” she explains. “I’m the lean-in pioneer, but it’s important to know what the people who work for me are reading and what the next generation is thinking about.”

Gordon is currently one of 23 women CEOs in Fortune 500 companies.

To the next generation of leaders she advises, “It’s important to be part of a team and add value. Look at every experience. Be willing to take a risk. That might be international assignments, working on the floor of a factory. People get mentored in many ways, by those more experienced than you and those that are your peers.”

Women need to be their own advocates for STEM education and its importance of instilling analytical skill sets.

by Lango Deen, ldeen@ccgmag.com

TOP WOMEN IN TECH

For almost 20 years, Women of Color in Technology conferences (now Women of Color STEM) have offered recognition of some of the most significant achievements of women in innovation, and a point of connection for employers and women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

This cross-cultural event, in sync with its Women of Color magazine, has featured outstanding women making inroads in high-tech. WOC events and publications have long celebrated talented women who have excelled in the workplace or demonstrated excellence beyond the workplace. Some have shown leadership over a long career, while others still at the beginning of their professional lives are already making waves. Together they bring a unique combination of ideas and cultural experiences, diverse skill sets, perspectives and interests and bridge the gap with technology. Meet WOC magazine’s Top Women in Technology 2014.

Cheryl Moo-Young

Senior Infrastructure Manager Accenture LLP

For more than a decade, Moo-Young has been part of the synergy that has allowed companies, in both public and private sectors, to make major information technology transformations and exceed client expectations. She has developed the ability to overcome complex challenges, make difficult decisions under scrutiny, and help fulfill the Accenture slogan: “High Performance. Delivered.”

Moo Young started exceeding client expectations early. She joined Accenture in 2000, soon after graduating from Morgan State University with a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering. As a newly minted consultant, she designed infrastructure and gathered requirements for massive databases and software implementations. Five years later, she was program manager for a call center, responsible for managing a multi-year effort to consolidate Accenture’s contact center telecommunications infrastructure operations. Moo-Young’s team created a centralized telecommunications platform that enables Accenture to launch services on a global scale with multi-channel contact points. The service currently includes several thousand agents around the world.

By 2007, Moo-Young was program manager for a LAN and WAN for a technology merger. She also managed the first phase of a demilitarized zone (DMZ) re-design assessment, which provided the client with the solution they needed to obtain funding for design and implementation. She was responsible for creating DMZ infrastructure requirements, architecture and technical design and the schematic of the cost estimate.

A year later, she was deployment program manager for a network operations center build out for a major government client. Moo-Young was responsible for converting client sites to a global communications service provider’s backbone network, which included the planning of transition activities associated with implementing a standard technology for speeding up network traffic flow and making it easier to manage, and network operations center acceptance at these sites. Moo-Young coordinated design and engineering of technology, site preparation, data, customer management, change management, and knowledge transfer.

Now, as senior infrastructure manager, her impact has expanded beyond technology to include cross-functional breakthroughs for several clients, such as leading implementation of a major health exchange.

Under Moo-Young’s direction, a customized customer relationship management (CRM) interface, multiple service centers, and a printing facility that can process millions of pieces of inbound and outbound mail were planned and launched in 18 months—significant accomplishment because implementation of this scale traditionally requires a longer timeframe.

Moo Young’s work is just the beginning of her legacy as a successful woman in technology. She wants to use technology to bridge the gaps in the methods used for customer interaction, and to enhance the quality of service provided to consumers.

“My commitment to focusing on STEM education (science, technology, engineering and math) is to bridge the gap between STEM and technology consulting,” Moo Young said. “Being a technology consultant enables me to tap into the logic I learned in engineering for solving my clients’ problems every day.”

Moo Young is the face of a modern-day technology leader. At work, she helps manage multi-million dollar networks and infrastructure for clients, which contribute significantly to sales, all in perfect balance with life as a wife and mother of three children. She is also involved in her community as a member of the Jack & Jill organization, and enjoys spending time feeding the homeless in the New York and New Jersey areas.

Senior Vice President, Applications and Services Infrastructure AT&T Labs

With over 30 years of experience, and almost 130 patents, Dr. Marian Croak has proven that she is a valuable member of the AT&T team. Currently, Dr. Croak is AT&T’s Senior Vice President of Applications and Services Infrastructure. In this position she manages over 2,000 world class engineers and computer scientists responsible for over 500 programs impacting AT&T’s Enterprise and Consumer Wireline and Mobility Services. Her responsibilities range from Product realization and Service Planning to Development and Testing. Dr. Croak earned a PhD. In Social Psychology and Quantitative Analysis in 1982 from the University of Southern California. In that same year she joined AT&T at Bell Laboratories. Dr. Croak recently received the award for Outstanding Technical Contribution in Industry at the 2014 Black Engineer of the Year Awards.

Caroline Basyn

Global Chief Information Officer Bacardi Limited

In April 2011 Bacardi Limited announced that Caroline Basyn has been named Global Chief Information Officer (CIO). As CIO Basyn leads the company’s information technology organization globally in the development and delivery of business solutions through people, process and technology innovation. Currently based in Geneva, Switzerland, Basyn joined Bacardi Limited in 2011. Before joining Bacardi Limited, Basyn spent 26 years with Proctor and Gamble holding leadership positions, most recently Director of Trade Fund Management Solutions. Basyn attended Université de Louvain-la-Neuve in Belgium where she earned both Undergraduate and graduate business degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science.

Ivy Chin

Senior Vice President, ecommerce Belk

Ivy Chin joined Belk, largest privately owned department store, as senior vice president, ecommerce in 2009 overseeing merchandising, marketing, creative, and operations. Under Ivy’s leadership, Belk dot COM has been named as one of the fastest growing e-retailers by Internet Retailer. Chin was previously vice president of strategic and multimedia operations at West Chester, Pa.-based QVC Inc. until she left to join Belk Inc. She was QVC.com’s first information architect and led a team of developers, designers, and content staffers in merchandising before heading up the application development team. Chin was named Computerworld’s “Premier 100 IT Leaders for 2010. She is on the Board for Classroom Central, a local nonprofit organization providing free school supplies to schools in the Charlotte area.

Patricia B. Morrison

Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President Cardinal Health, Inc.

Patricia Morrison is CIO and executive vice president of Cardinal Health. Prior to this position, she served as vice president at Motorola, Inc. where she oversaw the strategic, operational and financial aspects of information technology architecture, systems, tools, processes and infrastructure.Morrison has also held positions at Office Depot, Inc., Quaker Oats Company, General Electric Company and Proctor & Gamble Company. She has been member of the Global Advisory Board at UST Global, Inc. since January 2009, a director of TechColumbus since December 2010 and also serves as director of the Columbus Museum of Art. In addition, Morrison sits on the board of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She has been a member of The Board of Directors of Splunk, Inc. since 2013, and is a member of the Advisory Board at Mainstay Partners, LLC. Morrison received her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Statistics from Miami University of Ohio.

Christine Putur

Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President Coach, Inc.

With over 25 years of broad-based information technology (IT) experience, Christine Putur is the Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President of Coach, Inc., a position she has held since January 22, 2013. At Coach, Putur sets the company’s information systems strategy and oversees the operation of service delivery. Prior to Coach, Putur was the chief information officer and senior vice president of Staples, Inc. She worked with Staples for over 12 years, having the opportunity to get involved in different areas within the company such as ecommerce, strategy, retail, supply chain and global corporate functions. Putur has a Bachelor of Arts in Administrative Science/Math from Colby College and a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from Boston University.

Peggy Colsman

Vice President and Chief Information Officer Chevron Corporation

Peggy Colsman is a graduate of the University of Arizona, where she completed her undergrad and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems. She then

went on to receive her MBA from the university of Houston. Colsman is a seasoned veteran in the field of information technology, having worked at Shell Oil Company, Lyondell Chemical, and Hanover Measurement Services Company before joining Chevron Phillips Chemical in 2005. By 2008 she was named to the position of Vice President of the information technology department and also the company’s Chief Information Officer.

Susan Howes

Reservoir Management Organizational Capability Consultant Chevron Corporation

Susan Howes is Reservoir Management Organizational Capability Consultant at Chevron. In this position Howes provides leadership to drive the movement of resources to reserves to productions, she consults with reservoir management practitioners, and she facilitates reservoir management framework reviews. Howes is also Chevron’s UT Recruiting Team Lead for Petroleum Engineering and Drilling. She also serves as president of Cheveron’s Women’s Network, having previously served as the vice president. Howes earned her Bachelors of Science in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Howes currently serves as Chair of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Soft Skills Council.

Adriana Karaboutis

Global Chief Information Officer Dell

Adriana Karaboutis is a former president of the Michigan Council of Women in Technology and member of the Manufacturing Executive Leadership Board and. Professionally, Karaboutis is the global chief information officer at Dell. In this position, her role ranges from managing an efficient global information infrastructure to creating innovative breakthroughs. Before her move in the company, Karaboutis was the vice president of Information Technology at Dell. During her career, she has led a transformation of the company’s manufacturing operations by rolling out a manufacturing execution system. Prior to joining Dell, she worked at General Motors and Ford Motor Company for 21 years. Karaboutis attended Wayne State University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Master of Science in Electronics and Computer Control Systems.

Dr. Theresa Wise

Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President Delta Air Lines Inc.

Dr. Theresa Wise is the chief information officer and senior vice president of Delta Air Lines Inc., where she leads over 2,000 professionals who leverage technology to enhance the customer experience with Delta, and also oversees the airline’s IT group. Before working with Delta, she was the vice president of Northwest Airlines, LLC. In 2011, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal named Dr. Wise “Chief Information of the Year.” Aside from her interest in technology, Dr. Wise is a supporter of the arts. She has served on the board of the Children’s Theater Company, is a member of the Science Museum of Minnesota, and is a violinist with the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Wise is a graduate of St. Olaf College, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and chemistry, and Cornell University where she received a Ph.D. and Master of Science degree in operations research and applied math.

Kristy Folkwein

Vice President and Chief Information Officer Dow Corning

Kristy Folkwein received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University and her Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Toledo. In 2010, she became vice president and chief information officer for Dow Corning. At Dow Corning, she provides executive leadership for the Global Business Services (GBS) group, aligns the function’s overall activities to meet the needs of the company and customers around the world. Before joining Dow Corning, she served as vice president of information technology at Ashland, Inc., where she assisted in leading eight implementations of SAP within North American, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

Nancy A. Alvarez

Senior Director of Medical Information Endo Pharmaceuticals

Nancy A. Alvarez is the senior director of medical information at Endo Pharmaceuticals. She has had prior experience in both community and hospice/palliative care practices. Alvarez is an American Public Health Association (APha) trustee and has served on the Board’s Executive, Performance Improvement and Strategic Directions Committees. Alvarez has several distinctions and honors including serving as the national president for Phi Lambda Sigma, Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Council Chair and inaugural member, and Phi Delta Chi Grand Vice President for Collegiate Affairs. She received Arizona’s Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award; Employee Pharmacist of the Year Award, Pharmacy Leadership & Educational Institute Prescott Award, APha Good Government Pharmacist of the Year Award and the list goes on.

Dr. Pamela Drew

President, Information Systems Exelis

Dr. Pamela Drew was appointed president of Information Systems at Exelis Inc. in January 2013. She s responsible for leading the effort to apply the engineering and science talent Exelis has in system development, networking, radio frequency communications and information systems. Her team will provide capabilities for critical missions that include defense and intelligence systems, air traffic management, space and earth science, and homeland defense. Before joining Exelis, was the senior vice president of Strategic Capabilities and Technology

at TASC. Drew also worked with Northrop Grumman Corporation and The Boeing Company. She was recently elected to the Board of Directors for the Washington D.C. chapter of the National Defense Industry Association. Drew also serves on the Strategic Advisory Councils to the Chancellor and Dean of Engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she received her doctorate and master’s degree in computer science and bachelor’s degree in mathematics.

Belinda Watkins

Vice President of IT of Network Computing FedEx Services

Belinda Watkins is Vice President of IT of Network Computing for FedEx Services, where is responsible for the Network Computing organization which develops, designs, and engineer’s communications based solutions in support of both strategic corporate projects and ongoing user requirements for FedEx Corporate, Express, Ground, and Office. Prior to her time at FedEx Services, Belinda served as Vice President of Infrastructure Support for Sara Lee Foods, and in the late 90’s, Watkins worked with Jimmy Dean Foods, where she served as Vice President and CIO.

Suzanne McGee Beckstoffer

Director of Technology Development Huntington Ingalls Industries

Suzanne McGee Beckstoffer is the director of technology development at Huntington Ingalls Industries, a Fortune 500 shipbuilding company. Beckstoffer graduated from North Carolina State University in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and received her M.B.A. from The College of William & Mary. She has served as vice president for membership at the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineering, organized in 1893, to advance the art, science, and practice of naval architecture, shipbuilding and marine engineering. Beckstoffer has also been honored for excellence as one of North America’s “Notable Women in Business.” This honor not only rewards professional excellence but additionally acknowledges the fact that as a woman in her profession, Beckstoffer has defied the odds and has made it to the top ranks of her field. Vice President and Chief Information Officer IBM

Jeanette Horan earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of London and an M.B.A. from Boston University. Horan joined IBM in 1998 and prior to 2006 was the general manager of IBM’s Silicon Valley Laboratory. She was appointed chief information officer of IBM in 2011. Her organization provides capabilities for IBM’s workforce, drives IT excellence and supports transformation. Emphasis is on social, mobile, cloud and analytics; and how to use these technologies to enhance employee and client experiences. As part of her business and personal involvement in the advancement of technology and service to the community, Horan serves on the board of Microvision Inc., an innovative display and imaging solutions company. She also serves as a director on the board of Jane Do No More Inc., an organization committed to improving the way society responds to victims of sexual assault.

Jen Fitzpatrick

VP of Engineering, Google Maps and Local Google

Very few people had heard of the small startup when Jen Fitzpatrick took an internship in 1999. Looking back, she says it’s been fun and exciting to watch Google grow into a company everyone had heard of and work on different products anyone can use. “Google was my first work experience, “she says on the “Jen Fitzpatrick, MAKER at Google” video. “I was part of our very first summer intern class. There were four of us.” Fitzpatrick also feels lucky that she never felt isolated, even in the early days of Google. “There were always other women around,” says the wife and mother of two. “Working and having a family is the perfect balance.” A founding member of Google’s User Interface (UI) team, she led design, testing and implementation of numerous features and changes to the Google.com site. She also served as the engineering director for Google Adwords and Google’s systems engineering group. Fitzpatrick joined Google in June 1999 as a software engineer. She is a graduate of Stanford University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Symbolic Systems and a master’s degree in computer science.

Executive Vice President, Information Systems & Global Solutions Lockheed Martin

Sondra Barbour‘s 20-year career includes development of large-scale information systems. Under her leadership, IS&GS employs 26,000 professionals, who provide information systems, security and services supporting customers worldwide. Most recently, Barbour was SVP of Enterprise Business Services and the corporation’s CIO. In this role, she was responsible for information technology operations, including protecting the company’s infrastructure and information from cyber threats. In previous roles, she led Shared Services and Internal Audit organizations that provided knowledge and oversight of supply chain activities, internal controls, risk management and more. Barbour holds a bachelor’s degree from Temple University in computer science and accounting.

Patty Hatter

Senior Vice President, Operations and Chief Information Officer McAfee, Inc.

Patty Hatter is responsible for sustainable transformation of McAfee’s processes and infrastructure. As CIO, Hatter leads all facets of McAfee’s ongoing transactional business and shared services, as well as IT, risk and compliance, and M&A integration. She joined McAfee with more than 20 years of experience leading operations at Fortune 500 companies in high tech, telecom, financial services, and healthcare. As vice president of quote to cash at Cisco, Hatter’s team’s efforts helped to enable and support Cisco’s growth and scalability as net sales grew from $22 billion in 2004 to $40 billion in 2010 during her tenure. Prior to Cisco, Hatter spent more than 15 years at AT&T in planning, development, and managing the professional services business unit within the United States and Europe. Hatter holds a master’s as well as bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University. President, Product & Merchandising Nike

Jeanne Jackson leads Nike’s product engines and merchandising. She is responsible for driving strategy for creating footwear, apparel and equipment for the company and leading merchandising of product. Jackson was president of Direct-toConsumer for Nike, Inc., where she oversaw consumer-direct efforts, aligning the power of Nike’s brands to deliver a compelling consumer experience at retail and online. Jackson’s career spans 30 years in retailing and marketing, having served as CEO of Walmart.com, CEO of Gap, Inc. Direct, president and CEO of Banana Republic. She’s also held retail leadership roles with Victoria’s Secret, The Walt Disney Company, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Federated Department Stores.

Kathy Warden

Corporate Vice President and President Information Systems Northrop Grumman

Kathy Warden manages 1,500 people who support cyber, information and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions for defense and intelligence customers. Warden began her career working with General Electric, working her way up from systems development to product management and strategy. After leaving GE, she joined a start-up, leading a management consulting practice that was acquired by Veridian. At that point, she began working with federal government customers such as the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. For the last 10 years, Warden was a general manager for various defense and intelligence businesses at General Dynamics. She now serves

Assistant Vice president, Information Technology and Strategic Planning Pacific Life

Pam Askins joined Pacific Life in 2003 as the director of application development in the Life Insurance Division. She was accountable for managing various teams over the years including the Administrative Systems, Workflow, and Document Center application teams. In 2011, Askins assumed responsibilities for developing capabilities focused on increasing sales within the emerging affluent marketplace. As assistant vice president, Askins expands upon her leadership responsibilities managing both business initiatives and technology projects. She has a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Stanford University.

Rose Littlejohn

Managing Director, Security Meeting and Events Services and US Travel PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Rose Littlejohn is responsible for the firm’s crisis management, background screening, physical security, information security, travel security, forensic investigations and security awareness programs. Prior to joining PwC, she was responsible for security operations in over 30 countries as the director of Global Security and Ethics Officer for American Standard Co. Her accomplishments include implementation of a global background investigation and drug-free workplace program, security guards management and the resolution of complex kidnappings overseas. Littlejohn holds a bachelor’s in business management and an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix. She also holds the designation of a Certified Fraud Examiner and has served as chairperson for the Economic Crime Council. Additionally, she serves on the board of the Girl Scouts of Greater New York. She has consulted with The Conference Board on women and travel security programs and has authored an article entitled Women at Work and Making a Place for Ethics.

Cheryl Whitis

Chief Information Officer VP of Information Systems, Network Centric Systems Raytheon

Cheryl Whitis is responsible for operations of Network Centric Systems information solutions. Before joining Raytheon in 2007, Whitis was CIO and VP of information technology for L-3 Communications Integrated Systems. In this role, she had board executive responsibility for managing and directing IT across integrated systems and ensuring projects and investments aligned with strategy. Whitis joined L-3 in 1989 as a senior business systems analyst responsible for the U.S. customs IT contract. In 2000, she was promoted to director of strategic planning and direct programs. In this capacity, she directed objectives and strategic plans for the IT function to meet business goals. She served in this capacity until 2001 when she was named VP and CIO. Whitis earned an associate of science degree in data processing from Cameron University and a Bachelor of Science in business management from LeTourneau University.

Diane Jurgens

Managing Director Shanghai OnStar Telematics Co., Ltd.

Diane Jurgens has a strong background in technology, and is currently the managing director of Shanghai OnStar Telematics Co., Ltd., a joint project created by General Motors Company and the SAIC Group. With Shanghai OnStar, Jürgen’s role is to oversee business operations and strategic planning in China. Jürgen’s’ previous roles with General Motors include Global Product Development Information Systems & Services, CIO of the GM China Group, and CIO of Asia Pacific. Jürgen’s recently received the Magnolia Award from the Shanghai Municipal Government for her contributions to the economic and social development of Shanghai. Having graduated with honors from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in electrical engineering, Jürgen’s went on to receive her Master of Business Administration degree in international business from Seattle University.

Alla Whitston

Chief Technology Officer, Enterprise Bank of America

As CTO for Bank of America’s enterprise functions, Alla Whitston is responsible for supporting various units including global technology and operations, corporate audit, finance, human resources, marketing and corporate affairs, as well as legal, compliance and regulatory. She is also the relationship manager for IBM. Whitston’s team operates in more than ten countries and includes 1,900 employees and contractors. As end computing executive, she is responsible for end-to-end technology supporting all communication and collaboration technologies, secure messaging, spam/anti-virus, Office Suite and managed desktop and print/ fax services. Whitston joined Bank of America in 2011 from JP Morgan where she served as a managing director within Investment Banking. She has also held positions at Bear Stearns, Goldman Sachs, Bankers Trust and Home Insurance. At Bank of America she has also been active in the Emerging Leader Program, Information Technology Senior Management Forum. She was responsible for the Female Executive Director leadership agenda t JP Morgan, including internal and associated university formal mentoring programs, and an executive committee member for GS Women in Technology at Goldman Sachs. Whitston earned a degree in Computer Science from Georgia Technical University