Technology has enabled Ally Financial to move at the speed of customers, embrace and drive disruptions, and see around corners to anticipate and stay ahead of trends. Helping lead the continual evolution of the nation’s largest all-digital bank are two award-winning technology executives: Sathish Muthukrishnan, Ally’s chief information, data, and digital officer, and Donna Hart, the company’s CISO.
For a recent episode of the Tech Whisperers podcast, I visited Muthukrishnan and Hart at their offices, where we had a chance to talk about the work they’re doing to advance Ally’s mission and to create new value propositions for customers and communities. We also explored their leadership philosophies and the unique power and benefits that come from a strong CIO-CISO relationship.
After the show, we spent some more time discussing the present-day realities of a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world and its potential to paralyze people and entire companies. I was interested to hear what they’re doing to set people up for success and turn VUCA into an opportunity for growth and differentiation. What follows is that conversation, edited for length and clarity.