Evangelist and Educator

The challenge of learning about - and tapping - technology's capabilities helps make the CIO job fun for Northwestern Mutual's Barbara Piehler.

FACT SHEET

Barbara F. Piehler
Senior Vice President - Information Systems and Chief Information Officer, Northwestern Mutual (Milwaukee; $114 billion in assets).

Size of IT Staff: Approximately 1,000.

IT Budget: $275 million.

Work History: After stints at Arthur Young & Co., The Jos. Schlitz Brewery and The Stroh Brewing Co., Piehler joined Northwestern Mutual in 1983 in the controllers department. She was promoted to associate controller in 1988, and to assistant to the president in 1990. Piehler was elected to VP - corporate services in 1991; she was named VP - assistant to president in '94, VP - policy owner services in '95, VP - Internet in 2002, and VP - IS in 2001. Piehler assumed her current role in 2002.

Education: BBA in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Executive Program, Darden School (University of Virginia); Center for Creative Leadership.

Pastimes: Piehler enjoys antiques, wine, art and sports.

Katherine Burger is Editorial Director of Bank Systems & Technology and Insurance & Technology, members of UBM TechWeb's InformationWeek Financial Services. She assumed leadership of Bank Systems & Technology in 2003 and of Insurance & Technology in 1991. In addition to ... View Full Bio

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