When you work with colleagues on a philanthropy project, it benefits your career. That’s what Becky Blalock, senior vice president and CIO of Southern Co. in Atlanta, tells her staff. “The issues we are facing are universal,” Blalock says. By talking with peers, she might come across the answer to a problem she’s been trying to solve. Blalock has been working with TechBridge, a nonprofit that provides IT consulting to other nonprofits, for several years. Among many projects, she has worked alongside other major corporations in Atlanta to build Habitat for Humanity houses. “I like it because my security people are out there with security people from Georgia Power,” she says.Vendors can pitch in too. “We allow vendors to participate with us, which they like because they get some airtime with us,” she says.Blalock’s charity and volunteer work is extensive. That’s why Computers For Youth (CFY) gave her this year’s CIO of the Year award, recognizing a CIO for community service. Blalock’s already thinking of ways to help CFY. “I’m hoping to build a partnership between TechBridge and CFY,” she says. “A lot of kids don’t have access to technology, and they’re in a world where, to be successful, you have to have that.” Related content how-to How to create an effective business continuity plan A business continuity plan outlines procedures and instructions an organization must follow in the face of disaster, whether fire, flood, or cyberattack. Here’s how to create a plan that gives your business the best chance of surviving such an By Mary K. Pratt, Ed Tittel, Kim Lindros Dec 07, 2023 11 mins Small and Medium Business Small and Medium Business Small and Medium Business interview WestRock CIDO Amir Kazmi on building resiliency Multidimensional resiliency is vital to setting yourself, your teams, and your organization up for success. Kazmi sets the tone at WestRock by recognizing the pace of change, instilling a learning and growth mindset, and being transparent with his te By Dan Roberts Dec 07, 2023 8 mins IT Strategy Staff Management IT Leadership brandpost Sponsored by FPT Software Time for New Partnership Paradigms to Be Future-fit By Veronica Lew Dec 06, 2023 5 mins Vendors and Providers brandpost Sponsored by BMC Why CIOs should prioritize AIOps in 2024 AIOps empowers IT to manage services by incorporating AI/ML into operations. By Jeff Miller Dec 06, 2023 3 mins IT Leadership Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe