John Fisher is President and Founder of rethinking IT, a firm that works with IT leaders who want to become business leaders. Based on over 25 years of experience applying technology solutions to critical business problems, and operating the IT function as a profit center, John has developed the Rethink Framework to provide a consistent approach to understanding the current IT environment and creating a roadmap for moving IT to the next level. John is an adjunct faculty member at DePaul University, where he teaches graduate level courses in negotiations, strategy, social media, leadership and project management.

Previously, John served as Chief Information Officer of SmithBucklin Corporation, the world’s largest association management and professional services company. He joined SmithBucklin as the company’s first CIO and directed the company’s information technology resources and investments. He led a number of critical technology initiatives, including implementation of ERP systems and websites, and negotiated a number of high value supplier agreements that were critical to meeting clients’ needs for making large technology investments. John also held senior IT management positions at CNA Insurance Companies, and Continental Bank.

John was named one of the Premier 100 IT Leaders for 2006 by Computerworld Magazine, and in 2002, the Windy City Chapter of AITP selected John to receive their CIO of the Year award. He is one of the founding members and past president of the DePaul CTI Alumni Association and the CDM Leadership Council. In 2003 he received DePaul’s Alumni Champion Award. John is a member of the Society for Information Management (SIM), the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) and the Executives Club of Chicago. John is a frequent speaker at industry events on topics such as negotiations, leadership and running IT as a business.

John holds an M.S. in Computer Science from DePaul University, a B.S. in Communications from Southern Illinois University, and an M.A. in History of Religions from the University of Ottawa.  John focuses on teaching leadership, negotiations and improving how people communicate with others.