As December comes to an end, the technology leadership landscape is shifting. New CIO appointments and strategic transitions are highlighting how organizations plan to leverage innovation, digital transformation, and IT strategy in the year ahead. Today, IT Executives Council will focus on 10 CIOs and CTOs that accepted in roles in December 2025.
Southwest Airlines Promotes Lauren Woods to EVP and CIO
Southwest Airlines has promoted Lauren Woods to Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Woods joined Southwest in 2010 and became Senior Vice President in 2023. Her leadership has been paramount to Southwest modernizing its airline’s technology infrastructure and has helped deliver on Southwest’s vision to have the most reliable, secure, and effective technology solutions in the airline industry.
Starbucks Announces Anand Varadarajan as New CTO
Starbucks announced that it has hired its new chief technology officer, Amazon veteran Anand Varadarajan. Varadarajan, who spent nearly 19 years at Amazon, most recently led technology and supply chain for the tech giant’s worldwide grocery stores business.
FORTÉ Promotes Josh Braun as First-Ever CIO
Josh Braun has been named Chief Information Officer at FORTÉ. Josh joined the company in 2016 and has been instrumental in advancing the company’s information technology and digital infrastructure. Braun becomes FORTÉ’s first-ever CIO, reflecting the company’s increasing emphasis on technology, security, and infrastructure as essential drivers of growth.
Pennsylvania Announces Bryanna Pardoe as New CIO
The state of Pennsylvania has named Bryanna Pardoe as new chief information officer. Previously, Pardoe was the first ever executive director of the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience, also known as CODE PA.
1-800-flowers.com Appoints Alex Zelikovsky as New CIO
1-800-FLOWERS.COM, a leading provider of thoughtful expressions designed to help inspire customers to express and connect, announced the appointment of Alexander Zelikovsky as Chief Information Officer. As Chief Information Officer, Zelikovsky will lead an enterprise-wide technology strategy to accelerate the company’s digital transformation. Zelikovsky brings more than 25 years of technology leadership experience, transforming traditional businesses into digital enterprises at global scale.
AmeriLife Names Sulabh Srivastava as New CIO
AmeriLife, a national leader in life and health insurance distribution, wealth management, and retirement solutions, announced the appointment of Sulabh Srivastava as its Chief Information Officer. Srivastava will lead AmeriLife’s enterprise technology organization, driving innovation and further unifying its agile platform to support the company’s expanding portfolio of affiliate companies.
Jennifer Baker Joins Arvest Bank as New CIO
Arvest Bank announced that it has named Jennifer Baker as chief information officer. This position is new to the regional bank. Baker joins the bank with more than 20 years of experience in business operations and technology, fintech, retail banking, insurance, cybersecurity and technology.
Llyod Scholz has been Announced as Enterprise CIO for Westfield
Westfield has announced the appointment of Lloyd Scholz as Enterprise CIO. In his new role, Scholz will oversee the development and executive of business-driven technology strategy designed to support Westfield’s continued growth, diversification, and global expansion.
Smith College Names Heather Woods as New CIO
Smith College has appointed Heather Woods as its new chief information officer (CIO), bringing to the role deep expertise in strategic technology leadership for higher education. Woods most recently served as the first CIO at the New England Conservatory of Music, where she developed a comprehensive information technology vision aligned with the conservatory’s strategic framework.
Pentagon Names Kirsten Davies as New CIO
The Senate confirmed Kirsten Davies as the Pentagon’s new chief information officer (CIO). Davies said she plans to prioritize modernization initiatives that support military readiness and foster partnerships with industry and government to enhance cyber deterrence.
Additional CIOs on the Move
CIOs on the Move: November 2025
0 Comments