An Inside Look at Cross-Sector Leadership with Jesús Redrado
At the January 2025 edition of CTO Insights, Jesús Redrado, CIO at the University of Navarra in Spain, took the stage to share a refreshingly honest and deeply reflective journey through leadership in cybersecurity startups, hospitals, and academia. His talk offered a masterclass in the art of balancing technical expertise with people-first leadership.
Jesús began by unpacking his current challenge: overseeing three distinct IT departments within the University of Navarra. He explored how merging these teams went beyond aligning tools—it meant harmonizing values, communication styles, and cultural perspectives. Through stories of early obstacles and evolving strategies, Jesús emphasized that leadership is ultimately about empathy, clarity, and consistency in times of change.
He also pulled from his experience in cybersecurity and healthcare, where he had to navigate environments resistant to change. Whether transforming a stagnant IT department in a hospital or managing cross-border teams in Mexico, Jesús underscored the power of adaptive communication and trust-building to achieve both quick wins and long-term transformation.
Highlights from the Talk
- Advocated for integrative education—blending ethics, tech, and culture at the University of Navarra.
- Shared three timeless leadership lessons from a mentor that shaped his philosophy.
- Reflected on leading a cybersecurity startup and the tension between agility and structure.
- Spoke about managing teams across borders and cultures, especially in Mexico.
- Recounted the turnaround of a hospital IT department through a patient-first vision.
- Discussed how early adopters are essential to foster innovation in medical environments.
- Explained how strategic vision and incremental wins drive sustainable growth in academia.
Key Takeaways for Today’s Tech Leaders
- Culture Before Code: Successfully merging departments starts with cultural alignment, not systems integration.
- Lead with Trust: Delegation is powerful—when paired with clear boundaries and accountability.
- Bridge Global Teams: Geographical distance demands intentional, culturally aware communication.
- Human-First Tech: Tech in healthcare must serve real patient needs—not just system efficiencies.
- Balance Now & Next: Combine short-term results with long-term strategies to build momentum.
- Keep Learning: Promote a culture where learning, ownership, and return pathways are the norm.
A Human-Centric Vision for CTOs
Jesús’s presentation was more than a playbook—it was a reminder that behind every system, policy, and workflow are people. His call to action for today’s technology leaders was clear: build teams that thrive on empathy, communicate with purpose, and keep the human experience at the center of innovation. Whether in a startup or a century-old university, the key to resilient leadership lies in the ability to adapt, listen, and inspire.
