The State of the CIO 2025 conference delivered another standout moment this year, thanks to an incredible fireside chat featuring Gary Brantley, CIO of the NFL, and hosted by Jim Finger, Event Chair and Founder of NDS. This conversation wasn’t just about leadership—it was about the art of organizational transformation, a topic Gary has mastered throughout his career and captured in his book, The Art of Organizational Transformation: 7 Strategies to Impact and Influence IT Leaders.
Gary flew into South Florida specifically to participate and support SCIO’25, a testament to his commitment to the CIO community and the importance of peer-driven leadership development. The room was packed with IT executives, all eager to gain insights from someone who has successfully led technology transformations across industries, from public sector IT to one of the most recognizable sports brands in the world.
A Decade-Long Relationship of Leadership & Influence
What made this session even more engaging was the dynamic between Jim and Gary. Their professional relationship spans over a decade, built on mutual respect, shared experiences, and a deep understanding of the challenges CIOs face in today’s evolving landscape. Jim, a former SLED CIO and now an advisor to leading organizations, was the perfect host to guide the conversation. His thoughtful questions allowed Gary to share not just theories but real-world strategies for IT leadership and transformation.
Gary spoke candidly about how CIOs can shift from managing IT to leading enterprise-wide change, a core theme of his book. He discussed strategies for building influence, communicating vision, and driving meaningful digital transformation—topics that resonated deeply with the audience.
Engaging, Insightful, and Actionable Takeaways
Attendees left the fireside chat feeling energized and equipped with new perspectives. The discussion wasn’t just theoretical; it was filled with practical insights CIOs and IT leaders could immediately apply to their organizations. Key takeaways included:
- The importance of influence over authority in driving transformation
- How to align IT strategy with business objectives to create real impact
- The need for CIOs to be storytellers, effectively communicating vision and value
- Strategies to foster a culture of agility and innovation within IT teams
The audience’s enthusiasm was evident—not just in the applause that followed, but in the long line that formed after the session for book signings and one-on-one conversations with Gary. Many CIOs took the opportunity to ask him questions, share their own transformation challenges, and get a personalized signature in their copy of his book.
A Lasting Impact on the SCIO Community
SCIO’25 continues to be a premier gathering for CIOs and technology leaders, and Gary Brantley’s participation added immense value. His willingness to travel and engage with the community in person reinforced what SCIO is all about—learning, sharing, and elevating the role of IT leadership.
Jim Finger’s role in facilitating such a meaningful discussion cannot be overlooked. His ability to draw out key insights and connect Gary’s expertise to the real-world challenges CIOs face made this one of the most talked-about sessions of the conference.
As we look ahead to future SCIO events, the impact of this fireside chat will undoubtedly remain a key highlight. Gary Brantley’s insights, Jim Finger’s thoughtful moderation, and the engaged SCIO audience proved once again why this conference is a must-attend event for IT leaders looking to transform their organizations and their careers.
