Sheri Anderson
Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Novell, Inc.
URL: http://www.novell.com
Biographical Information: http://www.novell.com/corp/bio/sanderson.html
Nominated by: Cherie Stewart
Excerpt from nomination: Sheri Anderson is a remarkably successful leader in technology who is admired for being a strong, gutsy woman who makes a difference daily for the success of her company and her employees.
CIO for Novell, Anderson has revolutionized the information systems (IS) organization within Novell in only two years, transforming the organization from a tactical service provider made up of several disparate, acquired groups into a strategic partner for Novell's core product and technology development teams. At a time when the company was undergoing dramatic executive change and multiple reorganizations, Anderson gave the IS group a vision and provided a rallying force. She represents the IS organization in senior executive meetings, taking punches and giving them right back in order to realize that vision.
By bringing a business outlook to a technology group within a high-tech company, Anderson was able to put the right people in the right places to make a difference in the IS group. At a time when executives were under pressure to do more with fewer resources, she consolidated the department and created a cohesive team which has been able to significantly increase service while dramatically reducing costs. She teaches and empowers those around her and holds her employees accountable for making a difference in their work. She encourages her team to be passionate about what they do and to stand up and be counted among those who develop technological innovations. Anderson also urges her team to look beyond themselves and their direct activities in order to contribute to the greater good of the company.
Sheri Anderson is without a doubt a CIO who deserves accolades, praise and recognition for the outstanding work she does behind the scenes on behalf of technical innovation in the networking computing industry.
What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
I grew up in a farming community. At age twelve, I got a work certificate and began working summers in the apricot orchards. I worked at a variety of jobs throughout school. My first job after college was again in agriculture, inspecting tomatoes prior to canning. In these jobs, I learned responsibility and discipline, and that I can learn from and enjoy people with widely varied talents and skills.
Who is your hero, mentor or person you most admire? Why?
I have learned the most about life from my father, who imparted a strong sense of ethics and managed to find a balance of demanding professional responsibilites, meaningful service in our community and active participation in family life. I admire his curiousity, generosity and sense of humor. I admire his energy level and his willingness to make a difference right now, right where he is. He is a person who always gives back a great deal, in a great many ways, with little limelight or attention.
What are you most proud of (either professionally or personally)?
In my career, I have had many chances to tackle difficult problems. I have often had to find my way between conflicting objectives. Many years ago, working with a small, very bright, technical team, I championed the introduction of a new processing system which greatly increased system throughput and reliability. No one else in the world had implemented this. It took a while, and a series of highly visible failures, to make it work. There were many doubters. I'm proud of taking the risks, of building the right team, and of driving this particular innovation.
What advice would you give to young women who want to enter your field?
My advice to young women generally is that you can do what you make up your mind to do. It's very important not to let others define you, nor limit you.
One of the great things about working in technology is that so much is happening. There are lots of ways to be part of it. You don't have to follow any one else's path. I've always tried to choose the new and challenging over the familiar and well-known. It's important to keep moving away from your comfort zone.
What is your favorite book?
I love books, but I rarely reread them. The one I refer to the most often is the dictionary. It is a great reference and I can always learn something new. (I know, I'm a nerd).
What is your favorite Web site?
The Dilbert Zone
What do you see as the single most interesting element of your work?
The people I work with and for are always interesting to me. It is very rewarding to find ways to work effectively with people, to build teams and to develop individuals.
What was your darkest moment (professionally) and what did you learn
from it?
I was passed over for a management job early in my career and was stunned. This helped me focus on more realistically assessing how I was doing, others' perceptions of me and developing career options.
What do you do to relax?
I love to read and a good book is the best escape I know.
