I am delighted to report that the overwhelming and unanimous advice from the CIO search advisory committee was to confirm Donna Kidwell as UofT’s third Chief Information Officer, and I am so pleased to report that Donna has accepted.

In August, following the announcement of Bo Wandschneider’s pending retirement, I announced that Donna Kidwell, our then newly appointed Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Deputy CIO – a hire I consider a coup, having enticed her from ASU – had agreed to serve as Acting CIO, effective October 1, 2024, until June 30, 2025 or the appointment of the permanent CIO, whichever was to come first. Donna’s “start date” as CIO is May 1, 2025.

Reporting directly to me, and in partnership with academic and administrative leaders across the institution and beyond, the Chief Information Officer is responsible for providing strategic vision and leadership to the University’s use of information technologies for teaching, learning, research and enabling administrative activities. The CIO is responsible for information technology operations and leads strategic planning for the innovative, effective, and efficient use of technology across the University, with primary focus on enterprise-level services and systems that provide value to students, faculty, and staff.

Through the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), the CIO is also charged with ensuring that security and privacy are at the core of emerging technologies and new ways of teaching, learning and working adopted by the University; that scholars, researchers, academics and staff feel safe when using University infrastructure, systems and resources; and that we continue to strategically assess and manage risk to prevent security attacks and minimize their impact through timely detection and response.

While Donna continues to acquit herself with the same innovative, collaborative, and transformative approach she was so well known for at ASU, the University of Texas prior, and throughout the higher education information technology community, we had also promised the community that a search would be conducted.  The position was posted broadly, the CIO search advisory committee was established, and an external search firm was engaged. Response to the posting was broad and over 300 submissions were received from across North America and beyond.

Many of you will already know Donna through her listening tour; many more of you will no doubt be hearing from Donna as she continues to initiate exciting and pioneering processes and programs at UofT. I hope that however your paths cross, you will all take the opportunity to congratulate Donna and welcome her to her new role at the University.

Kind regards,

Scott

Scott Mabury, VP Operations & Real Estate Partnerships