From a long-time IT leader and CIO: It’s time to shift from tinkering with AI to implementing sol...

Welcome to the first installment of our IT Leadership Lab Ask Me Anything series, where we’ll be getting to know various IT leaders by asking them the hard-hitting questions about their journey and opinions around IT leadership — hopefully helping you learn more about the world of IT leadership in the process!

To kick things off is a conversation with Nick Colisto, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Avery Dennison Corporation. He joined Avery Dennison in March 2018. In his role, Nick is responsible for driving and executing on enterprise IT strategy for the company, including shepherding the overall company strategy with respect to information technology trends, driving efficiencies across the organization, improving the delivery of IT services and products to the business, and building on Avery Dennison’s existing culture of operational excellence.

Prior to joining Avery Dennison, Nick served as Senior Vice President and CIO for a leading global water technology company, Xylem Inc. He has also held senior IT roles with K. Hovnanian Companies, one of the U.S.’ largest homebuilders, and Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, a global, research-driven pharmaceutical company. Nick holds a BBA degree in management information systems and a Masters in information systems from Pace University.

We discussed his start in IT, advice he would give to anyone looking to grow into a CIO role, and where AI can play a core role in 2025 business strategies.

If you have any of your own questions for Nick, we’ll be leaving the thread open until December 12th, so please leave them in the comments below!

How did you get your start in IT?

I got started in technology somewhat unexpectedly. I majored in accounting in college and did well, but I always felt there had to be a better way to handle some of the more repetitive tasks. I remember using Lotus 1-2-3 for accounting work and started experimenting with macros to automate tasks—it was a game changer. That led me to take programming electives, and I was hooked. My first job was as a junior accountant/programmer at MONY Financial Services. You can probably guess which part of the job I enjoyed more! My boss did as well and wasn’t shy about telling me. It didn’t take long for me to realize that creating programs to make people’s work more efficient was what I wanted to pursue.

What does your day-to-day look like as a CIO?

As CIO of Avery Dennison, my day is a mix of strategy, execution, and leadership. I work closely with business leaders to align IT with our goals, oversee key programs like digital customer experiences, ERP, infrastructure, and cybersecurity, and support a global team across 30 countries. It’s all about driving growth and productivity through technology while fostering collaboration and continuous learning. No two days are the same, but I love the challenge of making IT a true strategic partner — and a value center.

What was your first management experience like? How long did it take to get there?

My first management experience was at Sterling Winthrop, a pharmaceutical company, where I became a manager three years after starting as a business analyst. I led a small team—just one employee at first, Yvette, who was absolutely terrific. It was a formative experience, balancing the responsibilities of management while learning how to support and develop someone else’s career. I discovered the importance of communication, trust, and recognizing the unique strengths that people bring to a team.

What was the most difficult part of becoming a manager?

The most difficult part of becoming a manager was learning how to delegate effectively. As someone who started as a hands-on contributor, I was used to rolling up my sleeves and doing the work myself. Shifting my mindset to delegate, trust others and focus on guiding, rather than doing, was a challenge. It took time to realize that delegation isn’t just about assigning tasks—it’s about empowering others, building their confidence, and allowing them to grow.

What was the most surprising thing you discovered about being a CIO?

The most surprising thing I discovered as a CIO is how critical it is to get the basics right before you can focus on growth and transformation. You need a solid foundation—reliable infrastructure, strong security, and clear policies and processes—before you can start driving innovation. It’s not the most glamorous part of the role, but without it, nothing else works. Balancing those fundamentals with the push for transformation has been a key lesson for me.

What is the #1 skill necessary for CIOs to be successful?

The most important skill for a CIO is adaptability. The role is constantly evolving, and you need to be able to shift between being a strategist, operator, technologist, and catalyst depending on what the business needs. It’s about balancing the basics—like keeping systems running smoothly—with driving innovation and transformation. Being adaptable also means building strong relationships across the organization and staying open to change, which is key to creating lasting value as a leader.

What advice would you give to an IT leader that aspires to be a CIO?

My advice to an IT leader aspiring to be a CIO is this: Take the time to listen, learn, and build strong relationships across the organization. Focus on balancing operational excellence with innovation, and define a clear vision for where you want to take the company. Above all, lead with humility and an open mind.

What advice would you give other CIOs?

My advice to other CIOs is to use mid-tenure as a turning point. After being a CIO at a company for three or four years, you’ve likely stabilized operations and earned trust—now it’s time to think bigger. Step back and ask if your digital strategy still aligns with where the business is headed. Look outward—talk to customers, understand market trends, and challenge the status quo. Don’t be afraid to recalibrate or pivot if needed. It’s all about staying adaptable and driving purposeful innovation.

Why is the CIO an important role in an organization?

The CIO is a vital role because it sits at the intersection of technology and business strategy. As companies navigate digital transformation, the CIO becomes the key to balancing operational stability with innovation. Early in their tenure, they focus on building credibility and stabilizing systems, but as they move into mid-tenure, their role shifts to a more strategic focus. This is where the CIO drives real impact—realigning digital strategies, adopting an outside-in perspective, and ensuring technology directly supports business growth. By leading with adaptability and vision, the CIO enables the organization to remain agile, competitive, and ready for the future.

What is one of your tech hot takes?

Here’s my tech hot take: By 2025, CIOs need to move beyond experimenting with general-purpose AI and generic use cases. The real opportunity lies in focusing on agentic AI—autonomous systems designed to solve specific, high-value business challenges. This type of AI goes beyond insights and starts driving actions, automating complex decisions and workflows. It’s time for us to shift from tinkering with AI to implementing solutions that deliver real, scalable impact for the business.

What was the first gaming console you owned?

The Commodore 64 and it was more than a gaming console—it was where I first learned to program in BASIC. I loved experimenting with code and also spent hours playing games, especially The Last Ninja. It was the perfect mix of fun and learning that sparked my passion for technology.

Last and most important question, thoughts on pineapple on pizza?

It’s a creative choice but being an Italian I prefer the more classic choices. My personal favorite is a Margarita, which is the ultimate classic. If I want to get fancy, I’ll order Prosciutto e Rucola. My favorite pizzeria is Joe’s Pizza on Fulton Street in New York City.

Big thanks to Nick for being a part of our first AMA! And again, if you have any questions that you’d like him to answer, you can leave them in the comments below. We’ll be leaving the thread open for a week for you to drop them in.