Reimagining IT: Aligning Technology and Business for Agility and Growth

Traditionally regarded as steady and unchanging, industries like insurance are not usually associated with bold transformations. However, some organizations are challenging conventions by reshaping their IT functions to better align with business goals and foster innovation.

One such example is Brown & Brown Insurance (BBNI). Under the leadership of Executive Vice President and CIO Gray Nester, the company rebranded its IT organization as the Technology Solutions Group, ushering in a new era of agility and business alignment. This transformation dismantled monolithic structures, establishing specialized subgroups closely integrated with business functions such as infrastructure, security, and fintech innovation.

The rebranding was more than a name change—it marked the birth of a new "techniculture" philosophy, aimed at fusing technology, business, and culture. “We’ve broken up a large entity that required people to wait in line,” Nester explains. “Now, delivery teams work on applications and process improvements directly with the business.”

The Shift Towards IT Agility and Business Integration

Across industries, IT organizations are rethinking their structures to meet the demands of a tech-driven business world.

At Edward Jones, a dual leadership model was implemented to separate day-to-day IT management from strategic digital initiatives. CIO Frank LaQuinta, now also Head of Digital, Data, and Operations, focuses on accelerating enterprise-wide strategies, while Kevin Adams, Head of Technology, oversees core IT functions such as cybersecurity, infrastructure, and engineering. “Decentralizing decision-making enables organizations to harness the full potential of digital technologies for business growth,” says Adams.

Similarly, Zoetis, a leader in animal health, rebranded its IT function as the Technology and Digital (ZTD) organization. By embedding ZTD members within R&D, manufacturing, and commercial teams, the company ensures that technology initiatives directly impact business goals. “We’re recruiting talent who understand both technology and our business,” says CIO Keith Sarbaugh, highlighting the company’s shift toward innovation-driven hiring practices.

Creating a Culture of Business Partnership

A successful IT transformation is not just structural; it’s cultural. At BBNI, Nester emphasized communication and collaboration through initiatives like quarterly town halls and an annual Techniculture Live summit, where IT and business leaders discuss goals and celebrate impactful projects. These efforts have delivered measurable results, with the company tripling its business performance and technology investment since the transition.

Little Caesars Pizza took a different approach, embedding a Profit & Loss (P&L) mindset within its IT organization. Under the leadership of CIO Anita Klopfenstein, IT now plays a direct role in ROI-driven innovation, such as the Pizza Portal mobile order system and cloud-based point-of-sale platforms. “We’ve rebranded and hired business-savvy people who can quickly discern good ideas from bad,” Klopfenstein says, noting the positive cultural and financial impact of the shift.

Expanding the CIO’s Role in Business Transformation

As IT organizations evolve, so do their leaders’ roles. The expansion of CIO responsibilities reflects the increasing integration of technology into every aspect of business operations.

For instance, Chris Bedi, formerly Chief Digital Information Officer at ServiceNow, was recently promoted to Chief Customer Officer, a role uncommon for CIOs. Bedi attributes this to his leadership in driving digital transformation during his tenure. “The tremendous amount of change driven by technology, especially AI, is giving CIOs a much larger remit in traditionally non-IT functions,” he says.

The Future of IT Leadership

The reimagining of IT organizations offers a blueprint for how businesses can adapt to a fast-changing digital landscape. Whether through rebranding, restructuring, or cultural shifts, IT leaders are proving that technology can be more than a support function—it can be a driver of business strategy, growth, and transformation.

As CIOs continue to break traditional molds, they are paving the way for future-ready IT organizations that are not just aligned with business goals but are integral to achieving them. With technology at the heart of operations, IT’s role as a partner in innovation has never been more critical—or more promising.