Laurie Panella, chief information officer, was named to the 2025-26 Business Transformation 150 (BT150), which recognizes the world’s top digital transformation executives redefining the enterprise with disruptive technologies and visionary leadership.

Panella has served as CIO since 2019. She is responsible for developing and implementing the university’s technology strategic direction and leading the IT services that support academic and administrative computing, networking, support services, classroom and instructional technology, programming services, and telecommunications. In collaboration with students, faculty and administration, Panella ensures alignment of technology resources in support of the university’s strategic plan.

Panella is active in several professional and community organizations, including the AJCU Collective on Information Technology Management, the WisconsinCIO Advisory Board, Evanta Milwaukee CIO/CISO Governing Body, the CIO Tech United Advisory Board, the Versiti Audit and Compliance Committee and the Church of Gesu Parish Council.

She was named among the “Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers” for national public sector IT by Government Technology magazine in 2012, the CIO of the Year by the Milwaukee Business Journal in 2017 and the Wisconsin CIO of the Year by InspireCIO in 2022. In 2024, she was named to BizTimes Milwaukee’s list of Notable Women in Technology.

Each executive on the BT150 list demonstrates proficiency in establishing and building new business models, implementing emerging technologies and leading in an ethical and humane manner. In its ninth year, the BT150 recognizes the world’s most influential executives across a variety of industries, including entertainment, financial services, healthcare, higher education, pharmaceuticals, public sector, retail and sports.

BT150 honorees will be formally recognized at the 15th annual Constellation Connected Enterprise in at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, California.