Navigating Digital Transformation: Insights for CXOs

As technology continues to evolve, traditional sectors are embracing digital transformation, and social impact-driven organizations are no exception. Leading this change are Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), who are not only overseeing financial health but also spearheading innovative strategies to improve engagement and drive meaningful growth.

In our latest episode of Future-Focused CXOs, we sat down with Angila Chapman, the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of the University of Michigan Alumni Association. Angila has a wealth of experience navigating digital transformation, from implementing cutting-edge CRM systems to leveraging AI for data analytics. During our conversation, she shared valuable insights on how alumni associations, and similar nonprofits, can harness technology to create personalized experiences for their communities while achieving organizational goals.

Here’s a deep dive into the lessons learned from Angila’s leadership journey, and what CXOs in any sector can take away from her experience.

Angila’s career at the University of Michigan spans multiple sectors, including health systems, research, and nonprofit finance. What stands out in her journey is her ability to pivot and adapt, whether it was transitioning from accounting to finance IT, or taking on leadership roles in finance within a large institution. This adaptability has been crucial in her current role as CFO for the Alumni Association.

For CXOs, adaptability isn’t just about shifting with the tides—it’s about recognizing when change is necessary and embracing it. Angila’s path highlights how critical it is for leaders to be agile, ready to take on new challenges, and grow with their organizations. It’s a mindset shift that can drive success in an ever-changing business environment.

Digital transformation is no small feat, especially when working with complex systems and large organizations. For Angila’s team, the journey started with a major CRM migration to Salesforce. The goal? To better engage with Michigan’s vast alumni network, which numbers over 670,000 individuals. But this wasn’t an easy transition. The team faced significant hurdles, from data integration issues to tight deadlines. Despite missing the initial six-month target and completing the project in seven months, the initiative was a resounding success that contributed to greater organizational growth.

For CXOs leading similar digital transformation efforts, Angila’s experience serves as a critical reminder that the road to success isn’t always smooth. Sometimes, challenges and setbacks are inevitable—but they can also be valuable learning opportunities. The key to success lies in resilience and problem-solving, as well as the ability to align technological changes with the organization’s long-term goals.

With such a large alumni base, understanding the needs and behaviors of specific demographics is a challenge. Angila’s team at the Alumni Association is using data analytics and AI to tackle this problem head-on. By integrating these technologies, they can create more personalized and effective engagement strategies that reach the right people at the right time.

For CXOs, the use of AI and data analytics is an area of immense opportunity. The ability to harness these technologies not only enhances personalization but also improves decision-making and operational efficiency. Angila’s strategy serves as an example for CXOs to invest in the right tools that can provide actionable insights and improve engagement with customers or members.

Throughout her career, Angila has benefited from strong mentorship relationships, starting with her early days in finance. She emphasizes how mentorship, both as a mentee and a mentor, has shaped her growth and leadership style. She encourages leaders to seek out mentors who challenge them, offer guidance, and help them expand their skillsets.

For CXOs, fostering mentorship within the organization can have profound impacts on leadership development. The next generation of leaders thrives when they have guidance and support, and CXOs have a crucial role in creating a culture that prioritizes mentoring relationships. These relationships don’t just help individuals grow—they strengthen the organization as a whole.

Angila’s leadership style emphasizes professional development. She regularly holds one-on-one meetings with her staff, focusing on career growth, learning opportunities, and personal reflection. Her approach fosters an environment where employees feel empowered to grow and take on leadership roles themselves. This, in turn, creates a more motivated and engaged workforce.

For CXOs, investing in the development of employees is one of the most powerful ways to ensure long-term success. When employees feel supported and have opportunities to grow, they’re more likely to stay engaged, contribute innovative ideas, and push the organization toward greater success.

The pandemic shifted many engagement strategies across industries, and the University of Michigan Alumni Association was no exception. With the need for in-person events greatly diminished, the association pivoted to virtual platforms like Zoom to maintain connections with alumni. At the same time, they used data analytics to tailor engagement strategies and reach their audience more effectively.

This ability to adapt to change is vital for CXOs in all industries. The rapid pace of change—whether driven by a global event like the pandemic or technological disruptions—requires leaders to be flexible and embrace new ways of doing business. By leveraging digital tools and analytics, organizations can continue to engage their communities and drive outcomes, even in uncertain times.

Angila Chapman’s journey at the University of Michigan Alumni Association is a powerful example of what it means to lead through digital transformation. Her ability to adapt to new challenges, her focus on leveraging technology, and her commitment to mentorship and employee development are lessons that all CXOs can apply in their own organizations.

As organizations increasingly look to technology and data to drive their strategies, CXOs must be at the helm, guiding their teams through change while maintaining a clear vision for the future. The insights shared by Angila in this episode offer a roadmap for leaders looking to embrace technology, foster growth, and create lasting impact within their organizations.

For CXOs in any sector, this episode is an essential listen for those ready to lead digital transformation, optimize business processes, and create personalized, meaningful experiences for their stakeholders.