Bytes of Experience : CIOs Unplugged

S01-E37 - The CIO Transition Lab: Time, Talent, and the First 180 Days

Stepping into the CIO role is one of the most complex leadership transitions in any organization — and yet most new CIOs receive little structured support. In this episode, Bo and Dana sit down with Deloitte’s Mark DiNello and Manj Kanwal to explore the CIO Transition Lab, a program designed to help new technology executives map out their first 180 days and beyond. Drawing on years of experience working with CIOs across higher ed, government, healthcare, and industry, Mark and Manj unpack why the early months matter so much, why CIO transitions are uniquely challenging, and how leaders can balance listening, credibility‑building, and the urgent need to deliver results. They discuss the “four faces of the CIO,” the importance of assessing inherited teams, and the tension between keeping the lights on and driving transformation. From navigating unknown unknowns to building critical relationships with CFOs, CHROs, and registrars, this conversation offers practical insights for anyone stepping into — or supporting — senior technology leadership. Whether you’re a new CIO, an aspiring leader, or simply curious about what the first six months really look like, this episode delivers candid stories, useful frameworks, and hard‑earned lessons from the front lines of executive transition. Reading recommendations Deloitte Top Tech Trends 2026 [https://www.deloitte.com/se/sv/Industries/technology/perspectives/tech-trends.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23815496800&gbraid=0AAAAADqU7iD2W7NoJcSKMCw2bcwW1rMq4&gclid=CjwKCAjwt7XQBhBkEiwAtStpp6GUhDJxyJqwpqT4nQKHq4stG5tAms9MBsq8b4_TqygsBA4kJF1O8RoCO_8QAvD_BwE] Deloitte 2026 Global Human Capital Trends [https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/talent/human-capital-trends.html]

S01-E36 - Stronger Together: Building a National Cybersecurity Fabric for Higher Education

In this episode of Bytes of Experience, Bo and Dana sit down with Axel Schulz, Director of Cybersecurity Operations at CANARIE, to explore how shared cybersecurity services are evolving across Canada’s research and education network. Axel traces his unconventional path from philosophy to SOC leadership, reflects on what makes cybersecurity in higher ed uniquely challenging, and explains why collaboration—not centralization—is the sector’s real superpower. The conversation digs into five strategic pillars, including national cybersecurity assessments, threat intelligence, the federated SOC, resource‑sharing initiatives, and community engagement. Axel highlights the rapid growth in sector‑wide participation, the cultural shift toward open incident sharing, and how higher ed institutions are building collective resilience in the face of rising threats and AI‑driven complexity. Book References:  Chip War - The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology  [https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/chip-war-the-fight-for-the-worlds-most-critical-technology/9781982172008.html]by Chris Miller Fish In a Tree [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/22402972-fish-in-a-tree]by Lynda Mullaly Hunt Invisible Women - Data Bias in a World Designed for Men [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41104077-invisible-women]by Caroline Criado Perez   A grounded, optimistic look at how Canada’s research and education community is strengthening cybersecurity—together.

S01-E35- Leadership in Practice: Lessons from a CUCCIO LDP Graduate — with Darren Schell

In this episode of Bytes of Experience, Bo and Dana sit down with Darren Schell,  Associate VP Information Technology (a.k.a. CIO) at the University of Lethbridge and a graduate of the CUCCIO Leadership Development Program (LDP). Darren brings a grounded, practical perspective shaped by 24 years at a midsize university — from his early days in the Registrar’s Office to becoming Associate VP Information Technology. We explore Darren’s leadership journey, what drew him to the LDP, and the lessons that reshaped how he leads. Darren reflects on the realities of influence in higher ed, the power of storytelling, the challenge of simplifying complexity, and the importance of understanding how people actually use technology — not how IT assumes they do. He also shares candid insights about collegial governance, ERP modernization, and the unique leadership demands of smaller institutions. Book Recommendation: Turn the Ship Around: A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders [https://davidmarquet.com/books/turn-the-ship-around-book/] by David Marquet

S01-E34 - From the Basketball Court to the Registrars Office: Ray Darling on Leadership, Data, and Student Experience

In this episode of Bytes of Experience, Bo and Dana sit down with one of Ontario’s most respected registrars: Ray Darling, University Registrar at the University of Windsor. Ray’s path is anything but typical — from varsity basketball point guard to leading registrarial teams at four universities. His story offers a rare, panoramic view of how the academic enterprise really works. Together, we explore the Registrar–CIO partnership: why it matters, how it succeeds, and what happens when alignment breaks down. Ray shares candid insights on data stewardship, the realities of registration stress, cloud SIS transitions, and the art of building trust between business and IT teams. We also dig into the future of registrarial work — from AI to student‑centred design — and reflect on the leadership lessons Ray has carried across institutions. Topics include: • What a modern Registrar actually does — and why it matters • The Registrar–CIO relationship as a shared product partnership • Data ownership vs. data stewardship in higher ed • Registration stress, cloud SIS risks, and operational resilience • How to co‑design with faculty, not just support them • Building collaborative business–IT cultures • The next five years in registrarial work • Ray’s leadership lessons from four institutions

S01-E33-Leading Across Campus Cultures: Michael Barr on Polytech, Non‑U15, and U15 Realities

In this episode of Bytes of Experience, Bo and Dana talk with Michael Barr, CIO at the University of Saskatchewan, about what it really takes to lead IT across very different institutional cultures — from a polytechnic, to a non‑U15 university, to a major U15 research institution. Michael brings a rare comparative perspective shaped by years at SAIT, MacEwan, and now USask. We explore how priorities shift across sectors, why pace and “clock speed” matter, and how community expectations — from faculty to industry partners — shape leadership practice. Michael also shares candid reflections on politics, governance, vendor strategy, burnout, and the mental shift required when moving between environments. From the six‑hour weekly commute that fuels his thinking time to the realities of supporting hundreds of specialized learning spaces, Michael offers grounded insights for CIOs navigating scale, complexity, and cultural friction. Topics include: • How leadership pressures differ across polytechnic, non‑U15, and U15 institutions • Why polytechnics operate at a faster “clock speed” • Community expectations and cultural differences between trades‑based and research‑based environments • Vendor strategy, staffing, and operational constraints across sectors • Governance, politics, and the art of influencing senates, unions, and deans • The mental cost of always being “on” — and how pace shapes leadership • What CIOs can learn from working in radically different institutional models Book Recommendation: Workflow Modeling: Tools for Process Improvement and Applications Development [https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/workflow-modeling-tools-for-process-improvement-and-applications/9781596931923.html] by Alec Sharpe.