Heartbeat: Tactical Insights for CIOs

From CIO to Strategic Advisor: Lessons on Scaling, Governance & Innovation | Karl Mosgofian Interview


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What does it take to go from CIO to trusted business advisor?

In this episode of The Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer welcomes Karl Mosgofian—seasoned tech executive and former CIO of Gainsight—to unpack what it really means to lead IT in today’s dynamic enterprise environment.

With over three decades of experience, Karl shares hard-earned insights on scaling organizations, taming technical debt, and evolving IT from a back-office function to a strategic growth enabler. You’ll hear real-world strategies for implementing governance without killing innovation, selecting the right consulting partners, and building a future-proof technology foundation.

Whether you’re navigating startup growth, enterprise transformation, or somewhere in between—this conversation delivers the actionable guidance today’s IT leaders need.

🎯 Perfect for: CIOs, CTOs, IT Directors, and tech execs focused on aligning IT with business outcomes.

💡 Topics Covered:

  • Redefining the CIO role in the modern enterprise
  • From operator to advisor: the mindset shift
  • Scaling infrastructure without chaos
  • Managing consultants and hybrid teams
  • Technical debt, governance, and innovation trade-offs
  • Building systems that last beyond your tenure
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    ⏱️ Timestamps included for easy navigation!

    00:00 – Welcome & Introductions

    00:12 – Personal reflections and career journey

    01:11 – Shifting from CIO to strategic advisor

    02:34 – Growth moments and leadership insights

    04:05 – Managing scaling complexity

    07:46 – Tackling technical debt effectively

    13:23 – Change management through consulting

    16:54 – How to choose the right consulting partner

    17:13 – New models of IT consulting

    18:09 – The “Done With You” consulting approach

    19:03 – Custom solutions vs. best practices

    21:05 – From startup agility to enterprise scale

    23:43 – Why documentation drives consistency

    31:32 – Balancing innovation with governance

    34:25 – Final advice for today’s CIOs

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    Heartbeat: Tactical Insights for CIOsBy Mike Sommer