Bio

Connecting CIOs and digital leaders with opportunities is my core mission at Maryfran Johnson Media. I offer a range of content strategy, event moderation & consulting services to senior technology executives and their IT industry partners. As the host of the CIO Leadership Live video show and podcast since 2018, I've featured more than 90 in-depth interviews with engaging, wonderfully candid CIOs, CTOs and Chief Digital Officers. On the show, jointly sponsored by CIO.com and the CIO Executive Council, we talk about everything from current leadership challenges in the pandemic-era workplace to the critical focus of data-driven innovation and transformative digital strategies across the C-suite. Twice a month, the show streams live onto Linked In and the CIO TechTalk channel on YouTube, as well as to all the leading podcast platforms as audio interviews. I also write regularly for CIO.com about boardroom leadership skills and career strategies (https://www.cio.com/author/maryfran-johnson). My many years as Editor in Chief at CIO magazine (2009-2015) and Computerworld (1999-2004) deepened my conviction that CIOs have great value to contribute to overall business strategy from *both* sides of the boardroom table -- as senior executives on the CEO's team or as corporate directors themselves. I also serve as an executive advisor to the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit organization working to help eliminate America’s critical shortage of cybersecurity talent while also increasing the diversity of young people in the tech talent pipeline. (To learn more about the progress of this inspirational effort, visit www.nationalcyberscholarship.org) Before launching my own business in Oct. 2019, I spent a decade as IDG's Executive Director of CIO Programs, where I created and moderated 10 CIO events a year, including the prestigious annual CIO 100 Symposium innovation conference. I also managed the CIO 100 awards and CIO Hall of Fame programs. All of that good fortune at both CIO magazine and Computerworld has kept me connected with a widespread, greatly treasured network of CIOs, CDOs and senior IT executives around the country. To reach me directly, please email maryfran@mfj.media. I look forward to connecting and staying in touch.