This year is flying by and that is partly due to how busy we have been as a team. 2026, so far, has showcased a meaningful shift in executive IT leadership, and from where we sit, the market has never felt more active.
A Busy Year in Executive IT Leadership
So far this year, we have completed two CIO searches and three Senior VP of IT searches, each one driven by a unique story. Some leaders are retiring (10,000 US baby boomers reaching retirement age each day), others are stepping into new opportunities that they may not have considered last year. And, in several instances, private equity activity, upcoming acquisitions, and/or aggressive growth plans are driving a need for organizations to search for a different kind of technology leadership.
Executive Mobility Is Back
The last few years, executive movement has felt sluggish, and today, it feels much different. I talk daily with seasoned IT executives who are open to making a move because they are energized by an opportunity to build, transform, and lead organizations through their next chapter. And those opportunities are becoming more and more available.
What Organizations Are Looking For
Our clients are becoming increasingly intentional about the capabilities they are seeking in their IT leaders. Technology leadership has become a boardroom conversation. CIOs and Senior VPs are expected to be business strategists as much as technology experts. The mandates are to shape business strategy, enable growth, lead digital transformation, navigate AI thoughtfully, and build organizations that can scale.
The strongest candidates today are business-minded executives who understand how technology creates competitive advantage and organizations are moving quickly to secure those leaders.
One of the Most Interesting Markets in Years
From where I sit, this combination of retirements, organizational change, private equity investment, and renewed executive mobility is creating one of the most interesting leadership markets I have seen in years. It is truly an exciting time for us and we consider it a deep privilege to be able to merge the incredible talent of the Twin Cities with our client partners navigating pivotal moments in their growth. As a true Minnesotan, I refuse to acknowledge how the days are getting shorter or how the temps are dropping, but am honestly truly eager to see how the rest of the year unfolds!
