With complicated technological tools and processes, companies sometimes fill too many roles with specialists. Generalists are also needed for a fresh set of eyes and to approach problems with outside the box solutions. Dean Haacker prides himself on being a generalist and this skill has served him well as he’s helped reimagine banking while working with CIBC.

Dean joined Patrick and Shelli for a wide-ranging conversation about the importance of living at the corner of strategy and innovation. Check out the episode for insights from a multiple award-winning CTO/CIO.

• (02:56) - The future of banking
• (06:48) - Protecting our money and information
• (09:34) - Brute force code breaking
• (11:36) - Success as a generalist
• (15:01) - Orbie Awards
• (21:32) - Highland Grove Partners
• (23:23) - Innovation is hard

Dean Haacker is a global technology executive and visionary leader that delivered more than $3 billion in business value for top companies in the high tech, consumer goods, and financial services sectors. An expert strategist, catalyst, and team builder who successfully executed large-scale programs, transformations, turnarounds, mergers, and operations excellence using Agile, ITIL and Lean Six Sigma. He managed $300 million budgets, led global teams of 500 people, and negotiated strategic deals with global technology partners.

Dean serves on the board of SIM Chicago, is a founding member of the ChicagoCIO Leadership Association and a member of AITP Chicago. He won an ORBIE award in 2017 as CTO of The PrivateBank and was a finalist for the Chicago CIO of the Year Award in both 2018 and 2019.  Dean is an advisor to emerging technology companies and previously served in global technology leadership roles at CIBC Bank, Nielsen, Motorola, and the Hewlett-Packard Company.  Dean is a distinguished graduate of Arizona State University.  

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Podcast episode production by Dante32.