S01-38-Season 1 Wrap‑Up: What We Learned — And Who We Learned It From

S01-38-Season 1 Wrap‑Up: What We Learned — And Who We Learned It From

Season 1 of Bytes of Experience began as a simple idea: two retired CIOs talking shop over coffee. But after more than thirty conversations with leaders across higher ed, government, healthcare, and industry, Bo and Dana discovered something unexpected — the real story was never about technology. It was about people. In this Season 1 wrap‑up, Bo and Dana look back on the themes that surfaced again and again: trust before tools, influence without authority, the messy reality of governance, the human side of crisis leadership, and why security is ultimately a cultural challenge, not a software problem. They revisit the moments that surprised them, the lessons that stuck, and the insights that kept showing up no matter who they were talking to. Most of all, they reflect on the generosity of their guests — leaders who showed up with honesty, vulnerability, humour, and a willingness to talk about the parts of leadership that never make it into conference keynotes. Season 1 taught them more than they expected, and they had far more fun than they ever imagined. As they close out the season, Bo and Dana share their gratitude, their reflections, and a glimpse of what’s coming next. Season 2 is already taking shape — with new guests, new stories, and more candid conversations about the real work of IT leadership.

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