Theresa Szczurek

Technology and Innovation Strategist, 3x Entrepreneur, State CIO, Growth Coach

Expert on

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Business Growth
  • Change
  • Customer Experience
  • Cybersecurity
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Innovation
  • Inspiration / Motivation
  • Technology
  • Women in Business / Women in STEM

Fee Range

$10,000–$15,000

Travels from

CO, US

Biography

Theresa M. Szczurek, Ph.D. is an award-winning technology, innovation, and growth strategist with a proven track record of leading transformational change in organizations. Drawing from her extensive real-world experience, Theresa shares compelling case studies and actionable lessons learned as the former Chief Information Officer of the $33 billion State of Colorado, a 3x technology entrepreneur, certified corporate director (NACD.DC), and fractional C-level executive.

As a Certified Management Consultant (CMC®), accomplished speaker, and executive coach, Theresa has guided hundreds of public and private sector organizations to new heights in profitability, productivity, and passion. Her purpose-driven approach fosters thriving organizations with deeply engaged teams. Theresa specializes in helping firms apply IT, cybersecurity, and AI to reduce risks, grow revenues and build customer satisfaction, and scale through innovation and digital transformation.

Theresa is the author of the Amazon-bestseller Pursuit of Passionate Purpose (Wiley), which outlines her proven step-by-step success formula. Her groundbreaking research, Champions of Technological Change, empowers companies to innovate successfully. Through her entrepreneurial ventures, she disrupted the $400 billion call center industry by introducing patented visual and voice technologies that leverage AI and robotic process automation (RPA) to significantly enhance customer service, reduce frustration, and increase efficiency.

Theresa’s engaging presence, captivating stories, actionable insights, humor, and diverse experiences have earned her top speaker and consultant rankings at numerous conferences and events. As one meeting planner remarked, “Of all the keynoters I’ve worked with, Theresa is among the best.” She is an exceptional facilitator, emcee, and communicator, frequently receiving standing ovations. Theresa and her firms have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, ABC World News This Morning, Fox News, NBC, Bloomberg Radio, NPR, Fortune, and hundreds of other media outlets.

Champions of Technological Change: How Organizations Successfully Implement Technology

One of the biggest challenges facing organizations is how to successfully implement technology and other innovations. Through the effective use of technology, firms can gain a competitive advantage. They can benefit from increased efficiencies, reduced costs, improved income, and higher profits. How do you do this? The answer is to build champions of change. In this participative program based on original research published in Szczurek’s groundbreaking book, Champions of Technological Change, we explore the role that people at all levels in a range of industries and organizations — from CEOs and C-level leaders, to managers, to individual contributors — can play to ensure successful innovation. They’re the change agents. Through captivating real-world stories of many emerging technologies, you’ll learn a practical formula for improving your top and bottom line.

AI to Survive and Thrive: How to Successfully Implement the Right Solutions

In today’s fast-paced business world, adaptability and innovation are crucial. Organizations face numerous uncertainties, including a tight labor market. However, those who embrace the right technological solutions gain a competitive edge. Artificial intelligence (AI) is one key to unlocking this advantage. When successfully implemented, AI can revolutionize operations, drive efficiencies, reduce costs, and boost profits. In this dynamic presentation, Theresa Szczurek, former State CIO and three-time tech entrepreneur, shares her extensive experience overseeing technology deployments. Through real-world stories of companies that have identified and implemented the right AI applications, attendees will learn practical approaches to thriving in today’s environment. This session provides actionable insights and strategies to help your organization excel.

Turn Innovations into Real Income: Secrets to High Growth Business Success

The best innovation in the world is worthless if it sits on the buyer’s shelf unused or, worse yet, if it sits unsold collecting dust. To produce income and grow your business, your innovations must be successfully introduced and implemented internally in your organization or externally into the marketplace. Szczurek shares a practical technique which has the potential to transform your business and greatly increase profitability.

Pursuit of Passionate Purpose: Success Strategies to Reap Real Rewards

Organizations are asking, “How can we improve productivity, retain the best people, and generate superior financial performance?” People are asking, “How can I make a great living, have more fun while working, and make a meaningful difference?” Organizations and leaders alike seek the secrets to a successful business and life. Szczurek’s answers, developed through extensive research and by overcoming personal challenges, come from finding individuals’ passions, aligning them with organizational purpose, and keeping the fire burning while persistently pursuing what you and your people want. It boils down to ‘Passion x Purpose = Profits.’ Based on a proven formula from the Amazon best-selling book, Pursuit of Passionate Purpose (Wiley), this high-content and entertaining session helps you and your organization produce extraordinary results. Learn practical pointers for growing your business, managing people, and living life with more passion, more purpose, more profit, and more success!

To the Top: Lessons for Leaders from My Climb Up Kilimanjaro

Do you want to accelerate your career journey, overcome obstacles, and ensure that you reap the real rewards along the way? In this entertaining and content-filled session, Szczurek shares practical leadership lessons learned succeeding as the CIO of a $30B enterprise combined with the exciting story of getting to the top of the tallest mountain in Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro (elevation 19,341 ft). Learn practical pointers, discerned from real-world experience and extensive research, that help you and your organization produce extraordinary results, more fun, and more success!

Theresa, with a wealth of experience and content, will customize a presentation or workshop to best meet your needs.  She also has programs available on a range of strategic planning, marketing/sales, organizational/leadership development, technology, customer experience, business growth, and entrepreneurship topics.