Blue Ocean Global Technology Interviews Theresa Szczurek | CEO and founder, Technology and Management Solutions

Theresa Szczurek is a technology, innovation, and growth strategist, corporate board director, 3x tech entrepreneur, and former State of Colorado CIO. She is the CEO and founder of Technology and Management Solutions. She’s also a speaker and has authored the book “Pursuit of Passionate Purpose“. A former Bell Labs engineer and AT&T executive, she’s managed $400M+ budgets and led over 1,000 staff. Theresa’s Amazon-bestselling book, Pursuit of Passionate Purpose, outlines her proven formula for success. She helps organizations align passion with purpose to drive growth and innovation.

Your career has spanned cutting-edge technology, business strategy, and executive leadership—from Bell Labs to founding multiple tech firms and serving as a state CIO. What initially drew you to this space, and how has your journey evolved over the years?

My journey began with a strong foundation in a big, supportive family that taught me the value of initiative and hard work. I always believed in the power of education, which led me to earn a master’s in operations research from Stanford and later an MBA and PhD in business. Early on, I climbed the corporate ladder at Bell Labs and AT&T, but I wanted more. That drove me to found tech firms, where I could directly influence strategic direction and product development. My evolution continued when I became the state of Colorado’s CIO, ensuring technology was secure and effective for a $30 billion state. Through this journey, I’ve remained focused on being a proactive leader, a team player, and a change-maker, always aiming to help others achieve extraordinary results.

You’ve worked across telecommunications, software, higher education, and government—industries that have undergone massive digital transformations. What are some of the most exciting technological advancements you see shaping these sectors today?

I’m a firm believer in the power of innovation and technology to improve the world. One exciting advancement is omni-channel communications, which combines voice with visuals to enhance understanding and user experience. In my last company, Radish Systems, (also known as Radish 2.0), we developed “ChoiceView ™,” a technology that integrated voice and visuals with AI-driven agents to improve efficiency. Another game-changer is artificial intelligence, which is rapidly evolving. Although I studied AI decades ago, it’s now a hot topic, and businesses must figure out how to implement it at an enterprise scale. Finally, improving access to high-speed, low-cost internet globally is crucial. During my time as CIO of the state of Colorado, we worked to expand broadband access, especially to rural and underserved communities, which remains a critical goal in the digital age.

Throughout your career, you’ve been at the forefront of AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. When advising organizations on innovation, what strategies do you find most effective for ensuring long-term competitiveness?

I believe technology is an equalizer that enables organizations to achieve extraordinary results. As an innovation strategist and catalyst, I focus on stimulating innovation and ensuring its successful implementation. One key strategy is building an innovation culture. As Colorado’s CIO, we made innovation a core value, embedding it in our mission and vision. It’s essential to foster new ideas, challenge the status quo, and encourage continuous improvement. Additionally, attracting the right talent is critical, as people are the most valuable asset. Finally, I advocate for defining innovation as a passionate purpose—something to pursue with focus and dedication. By establishing a clear innovation process, from idea generation to implementation, organizations can turn great ideas into impactful results, driving long-term success.

As both a board director and a CEO, you’ve successfully navigated leadership in the public and private sectors. What do you see as the biggest challenges—and opportunities—for executives leading in today’s fast-changing business environment?

The only constant in life is change, and as leaders, we must be responsive to it as well as proactively make it happen. Currently, we’re in a time of uncertainty, which brings both challenges and opportunities. Leaders need to be agile, flexible, and data-driven to guide decision-making in these times. One key strategy is diversification—relying on a single revenue stream or supplier can increase vulnerability. Additionally, prioritizing employee and customer engagement is vital. Listening to both groups provides valuable insights and strengthens resilience. Another crucial aspect is empowering people; connecting their passions with the organization’s purpose leads to higher productivity and greater success. Lastly, building hope is essential. As an eternal optimist, I believe leaders must instill hope and demonstrate that our past doesn’t define our future. With a clear goal and flexibility, leaders can navigate uncertainty and achieve great things.

You built your first tech firm into a multi-million-dollar business. What advice would you give to entrepreneurs looking to scale their startups while staying agile and innovative?

My advice revolves around some key principles I’ve learned through my experiences. First, find your passion and align it with a meaningful purpose. Pursue it with a clear plan, the right people, and persistent dedication. Celebrate your progress, but be ready to make adjustments when necessary. I also believe that aligning your values with your talents helps you find your true passion and focus on solving big problems. Protect your ideas with patents if possible, as intellectual property is crucial. Once you have a solution, seek to find your “killer app”—the application in a market segment where your solution can shine. Test your product, gather feedback, and develop proven case studies to grow. Finally, build a strong, diverse team. Different perspectives will help you stay agile, innovative, and on track. My book, Pursuit of Passionate Purpose, outlines strategies to help entrepreneurs succeed, including the importance of strategic connections.

Looking back on your career, what achievements or milestones are you most proud of? Are there any particular projects or moments that stand out as defining?

Looking back professionally, one of the real changemakers in my life was the opportunity to be drawn to and work at Bell Labs, which, at that time, was the premier research facility in the world. Being surrounded by such exceptional people and pursuing further education, profoundly shaped my trajectory. So, I’m genuinely proud of my time as a Member of Technical Staff at Bell Laboratories. That experience provided a solid foundation, enabling me to embark on a couple of tech ventures. I’m particularly proud of Radish 1.0, my first tech venture with Richard A. Davis, my co-founder. People often ask about the name, ‘Radish?’ It was meant to be a zesty compliment to the telecommunications platter, much like a radish enhances a salad. But it also stands for ‘Richard A. Davis including Szczurek happily’ or  ‘Rad’ and ‘ish.’ I am the ‘ish.’ I’m very proud of that journey, the immense learning, and the impact we made.

I’m also deeply proud of my tenure as the Chief Information Officer for the state of Colorado. It was a monumental undertaking, managing all the technology, telecommunications, and data for a 30 billion dollar organization with over 30,000 employees, serving 5.8 million Coloradans. We accomplished significant things, like weathering the pandemic, expanding broadband access, and transforming the organization. We implemented new and improved solutions, enhanced customer relationships and, as I like to say, ‘delighted’ our 17 agency customers. Our digital transformation work was recognized with innovation awards, and I’m incredibly proud to have received the Colorado CIO of the Year award, a testament to the power of the team.

More recently, my time as a trustee for Western Colorado University has been particularly meaningful. As a believer in higher education, I joined the board during a challenging leadership crisis, marked by a vote of no confidence from the faculty, department heads, and students in the then-CEO. As a trustee, a position of ultimate decision-making, we worked collaboratively to bring about transformation. We secured an interim CEO, followed by a permanent leader, improved the culture, developed a new strategic plan rooted in our core values, clarified policies, and strengthened our financial position. It remains a work in progress, as higher education faces its challenges, with some questioning its relevance. But education, in one form or another, is vital.

Finally, I’m truly proud of my work as an innovation consultant, coach, and speaker, helping to catalyze extraordinary results. I feel blessed to have been given certain gifts and talents and to have been able to leverage them to make a difference. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve had.

You’ve led high-pressure executive roles while also engaging in governance, mentorship, and innovation. How do you maintain balance, and what hobbies or passions outside of work keep you energized?

It’s incredibly important to bring your absolute best self to every facet of life and work. And for me, a key personal goal each year is cultivating a strong, authentic self – spiritually, mentally, physically, and energetically. What does that look like? Well, first, I meditate daily, twice a day. I’ve been doing this for decades; it’s a vital tool to unleash my energy and release stress. Beyond that, I prioritize exercise. I adore outdoor movement, whether it’s hiking or skiing. I also ensure I get adequate sleep, drink plenty of water, and eat healthily. All of these elements contribute to a healthy lifestyle, enabling me to function at my peak.

And you know, I love dancing. It’s pure fun, and we all need more of that. I recognize I can be quite serious, but I believe even within our teams, we should find joy in the process. That’s a big reason I continue to work, even though I could retire – I genuinely find it enjoyable.

Another passion of mine is empowering girls and women to achieve their potential. I’m deeply involved with Girl Scouts, a global movement with 10 million participants. I hope some of you were Girl Scouts yourselves! I was, and I still lead a troop of high schoolers. Furthermore, I’m a strong advocate for encouraging everyone, especially women and girls, to consider careers in STEM – science, technology, engineering, and math. It’s been a game-changer for me, and the world needs more of us in these fields. And remember, it’s not just about engineers; it’s about all the supportive roles in marketing, communications, and more.

These are just a few examples, but to make it all work, you have to learn to say no to many things in order to say yes to the right things. I always emphasize to students that you must say no to distractions. Especially in school and college, there are numerous distractions, like drugs and alcohol, and while you might want to experiment, you need to discern if it’s truly for you. But, crucially, consider the price you’re paying for those distractions, because they can significantly hinder your life. So, prioritize wisely.

You have a reputation for pushing boundaries in technology and leadership. What keeps you inspired and motivated to continue driving change in the industry?

What keeps me inspired? Ultimately, it’s the desire to make a truly meaningful difference. I deeply believe that by empowering organizations and leaders to discover and act on their passionate purpose, we can collectively create a better world. There’s always room for improvement, and while acknowledging the progress we’ve made, we must focus on the positive potential ahead. That’s a huge motivator.

I’m also driven by the tangible impact of technology. We can reduce costs, boost efficiency, build thriving companies, and improve people’s lives. My own curiosity fuels this. When I conducted my ‘Pursuit of Passionate Purpose’ study, interviewing around 80 people from diverse backgrounds, I uncovered what I call the ‘sunflower traits’ – the characteristics of successful, passionate pursuers.

These traits, like a sunflower reaching for the light, are crucial. ‘S’ is for self-confidence. ‘U’ is for unwavering curiosity, a constant desire to learn. ‘N’ is a never-quit attitude, persistent resilience. ‘F’ is fervor – or my favorite word, passion – that is enthusiasm and zeal. ‘L’ is living the ‘pursuit of passionate purpose’ process: finding passion, aligning it with purpose, and pursuing it until you make progress. ‘O’ is optimism, a positive outlook. ‘W’ is your whole self, bringing your head, heart, and hands together. ‘E’ is energy and enthusiasm. And ‘R’ is resilience, the ability to recharge and rebound from life’s inevitable setbacks.

These sunflower traits are fundamental, and I strive to cultivate them in my leadership development work. Seeing others embrace them fuels my own journey. And honestly, just hearing from you today, I feel like I’ve already made a meaningful difference in many lives, and I’m so passionate about continuing that.

Is there a particular leadership philosophy or guiding principle that has influenced your career and personal approach to decision-making?

Absolutely, and I’m going to tie it to the sunflower. You see it everywhere – my pin, the backdrop, my book – it’s a symbol of the spirit I try to embody. So, yes, there’s a guiding philosophy, and it’s the ‘pursuit of passionate purpose’ framework, something I’ve developed through research and lived experience. Someone once asked me, ‘If you could leave a message in your cookie jar for future generations, what would it be?’

And my answer was, ‘It’s the pursuit of passionate purpose, as well as the relationships built along the way, that truly bring life’s real rewards.’ Now, how do you actually pursue this? First, you discover and nurture your passion by understanding your values and your gifts of who you are. Then, you align that passion with a meaningful purpose – your ‘why,’ your reason for being. Next, you pursue that purpose with a plan, the right people, and persistence, to reach your goals. And finally, you assess your progress – how’s it going, what’s next, what adjustments are needed? It’s a continuous evolution, a ‘sacred circle of life,’ those four phases flowing into each other.

That’s my core philosophy, and I apply it in every aspect of my life: personal, family, business, professional. It’s all about pursuing passion and purpose.

Conclusion

Theresa Szczurek’s dynamic career, spanning pioneering roles at Bell Labs to founding tech ventures and serving as a state CIO, exemplifies the transformative power of aligning passion with purpose. Her focus on innovation, leadership, and mentorship, underscored by her “sunflower traits,” has driven her to champion technological advancements and empower others. Her leadership philosophy, rooted in the “pursuit of passionate purpose,” emphasizes continuous growth, resilience, and the importance of fostering a culture of innovation.