Sankar Chinnathambi brings over 25 years of experience driving technology-led transformation for global organizations. A visionary leader, he turns innovation into measurable business impact by aligning technology with strategy, optimizing IT operations, and implementing advanced solutions across ERP, cloud, cybersecurity, data analytics, and AI.

Passionate about technology as a growth enabler, Sankar builds high-performing, diverse teams and fosters a culture of innovation. Combining strategic foresight with people-centered leadership, he empowers organizations to navigate digital change and achieve lasting success.
Below is the conversation that we had with him.

Empowering Change through Technology

At Driscoll’s, my role is both strategic and operations. I lead a team responsible for digital transformation, aligning our IT capabilities with the company’s business goals. I am deeply committed to ensuring that our IT strategies not only support but actively drive the organization’s core objectives.

I see technology not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for reinvention. By embracing technology, we can reimagine how the business operates, connects, and grows.

Fostering collaboration is a key part of my leadership philosophy. Technology doesn’t work in isolation—it must be in sync with the business. That’s why I emphasize aligning our IT strategies with Driscoll’s goals.

My leadership is rooted in cross-functional collaboration, where IT is seen as a true partner to the business, not just a service provider. When IT and business functions collaborate closely, we create a culture of innovation and agility that drives growth.

Building a Cyber-Aware Culture

Cybersecurity is one of the biggest challenges facing organizations today, and at Driscoll’s, it is one of my top priorities. But we don’t treat it as an isolated IT function. Instead, we integrate cybersecurity into the organization’s culture by educating every team member about the importance of security.

Through hands-on programs, such as phishing simulations, we help our employees recognize and respond to threats. But it’s not just about avoiding a cyberattack—it’s about creating a mindset where everyone in the organization understands their role in keeping the company safe.

Our cybersecurity approach is simple and relatable, making it easier for employees to grasp and implement. By connecting these lessons to real-world examples, we increase engagement and retention, ensuring that our cybersecurity measures are effective and sustainable.

IT as a Strategic Partner

I believe that the role of IT has undergone a fundamental shift. At Driscoll’s, we’ve created a business engagement practice that embeds IT team members within business functions. This allows us to work closely with departments to identify their challenges and deliver value-driven solutions. But technology alone doesn’t guarantee success—ownership is key.

We believe in shared accountability. IT delivers the technology, but the business teams take ownership of the outcomes. This collaboration ensures that solutions are adopted and sustained long after implementation, driving measurable business growth.

By treating IT as a strategic partner, we deliver technology and create lasting, impactful change within the organization.

Balancing Essentials and Innovation

As CIO, my approach to technology strategy is twofold: strengthening our core systems and enabling future innovation. Without a strong foundation, we cannot build for the future, so we’ve invested in tools like Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP. These foundational upgrades ensure that we remain agile and competitive in a rapidly changing business landscape.

I see technology not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for reinvention. By embracing technology, we can reimagine how the business operates, connects, and grows.

At the same time, we are always looking ahead. As AI continues to evolve, I am focused on how we can integrate it into our operations. We recently held an AI Fusion Day to educate our leaders on the potential of AI and how it could transform our business.

We evaluated over 90 AI use cases and have narrowed them down to the top five that will have the most significant impact. This approach ensures that innovation is not just a buzzword, but a structured and purposeful effort that delivers tangible results.

Leadership Rooted in Business Understanding

Technology leadership is about more than technical expertise—it’s about understanding the business and its unique needs. I’ve always believed that a successful technology leader must invest time in understanding the business, from the challenges that different functions face to the opportunities for growth. This is what sets great leaders apart.

At Driscoll’s, I encourage my team to engage deeply with the business to identify opportunities where technology can make a difference. Technology leaders must proactively identify gaps and recommend solutions that enable the business to scale and thrive.

By building strong relationships with functional leaders and understanding the intricacies of their departments, we can deliver technology that aligns with strategic goals and drives success.

Aligning Technology with Mission and Values

Every organization has its mission and values, and our technology strategies must align with these foundational principles. At Driscoll’s, we are committed to ensuring that our technology supports our mission to deliver high-quality deightful berries to our consumers while aligning with our core values of passion, humility, and trustworthiness.

As technology evolves, I will focus on using it to drive meaningful, sustainable change. We are in an era of rapid digital transformation. As a leader, I aim to guide Driscoll’s through this change with clarity, foresight, and a commitment to delivering real value for the business and its employees.