CIONET

CIONET

CIONET is the leading community of senior digital and IT executives around the world. With a membership of CIOs, CDOs, CTOs and IT leaders from the world’s leading companies, CIONET has the expertise and pioneering vision to solve or address any digital or IT management challenge. CIONET develops, manages and moderates a global community and next-generation platform with an integrated array of both offline and online tools and services designed to provide real-time support for digital and IT executives.

  1. Aleksander Gawroński - Head of IT Infrastructure at mBank - Architecting Cloud for the AI Era

    6D AGO

    Aleksander Gawroński - Head of IT Infrastructure at mBank - Architecting Cloud for the AI Era

    In the latest CIONET Podcast, Daniel Eycken (COO, CIONET) sits down with Aleksander Gawroński (Head of IT Infrastructure, mBank) - who is a Nominee for the CIONET Awards 2026 in the Cloud & Infrastructure category - to discuss a transformation that turned a 25-year-old legacy landscape into a streamlined, automated, and AI-ready powerhouse. Don’t forget to register to CIONET Awards Virtual Ceremony on February 12, to find out who wins this prestigious title 👉 https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-2! Aleksander shares the "no exceptions" strategy that allowed mBank to build its own private cloud and adopt a dual-vendor public cloud policy—all while maintaining the strict security standards of a highly regulated financial institution. Watch the full interview for a deep dive into key leadership Insights: - Infrastructure as Code (IaC): At mBank, IaC isn't just a tool; it's a discipline. No system enters the cloud without meeting this quality gate. - The "Build vs. Buy" Culture: With 90% of their software built in-house, mBank chose to build its own Kubernetes-based private cloud to maintain full control and elasticity. - Operational Resilience: Why a dual-vendor strategy is essential for cost negotiation and mitigating geopolitical risks. - Leading by Example: Why Aleksander was the first person in the organization to get cloud-certified. - The "Best Mistake": Lessons learned from underestimating the cultural shift required for such a massive technological leap. As Aleksander puts it: "Build the foundations right, or your life will be a constant nightmare of running legacy." Don’t forget to register to CIONET Awards Virtual Ceremony to find out who wins this prestigious title 👉 https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-2!

    45 min
  2. Raul Jimenez - Transforming Data and AI Governance at Sika

    12/02/2025

    Raul Jimenez - Transforming Data and AI Governance at Sika

    In this episode of the CIONET Podcast, Hendrik Deckers interviews, Raul Jimenez, Head of Data, AI & Integration Platforms at Sika, the nominee in the Data & AI category during the #CIONETAwards2026. Register here to find out who wins this prestigious title: https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1! Raul’s CV is seriously impressive, boasting over two decades of international experience. He's been at the helm, steering digital transformation, innovation, and technology strategy across a wide range of industries globally. From being knee-deep in software engineering to project leadership and executive advising, he’s seen the whole picture. Crucially, he’s recognised for building and successfully scaling complex enterprise platforms. His focus is spot on: embracing federated models, leveraging emerging technologies, and, most importantly, making sure everything is tightly aligned with the business strategy. Raul doesn't just manage technology; he cleverly bridges technical expertise with strategic vision, turning big, innovative ideas into real, lasting organisational impact. Sika transforms its data and AI governance by centralising initiatives and establishing core platforms for data, AI, and integration. The organisation addresses connectivity issues, builds a data platform, and implements an AI governance framework. It shifts from project-based to product-based management, focusing on foundational data and processes. The future vision includes a cognitive enterprise system that leverages AI across all functions, ensuring competitiveness in the digital landscape.

    40 min
  3. Claudio Balbo - SD & Head of IT Architecture at Intesa Sanpaolo - Revolutionizing Core Banking

    11/20/2025

    Claudio Balbo - SD & Head of IT Architecture at Intesa Sanpaolo - Revolutionizing Core Banking

    Watch the newest episode of the CIONET Podcast, where Claudio Balbo, Senior Director and Head of IT Architecture at Intesa Sanpaolo, discusses one of the most ambitious core banking transformations in Europe. Claudio is a Nominee in the Applications & Architecture category and a speaker at CIONET Awards: Part 1 on 9 December 2025 at 15:00 CET. Save your seat now to find out who wins this prestigious title 👉 https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1 In this episode, Claudio shares his journey in tech and his pivotal role in designing and implementing isytech – a cloud-native core banking platform that is revolutionizing the way Intesa Sanpaolo operates. Watch the full episode to find out more about: 🔹 Cloud-Native Core Banking: The strategic shift from legacy systems to modern, scalable cloud solutions. 🔹 AI Adoption: How AI is becoming a critical part of the transformation, driving productivity and enhancing system capabilities. 🔹 Leadership in Large-Scale Digital Transformations: Insights on leading teams, managing change, and balancing innovation with feasibility. 🔹 Building the IT Future: How the bank is future-proofing its infrastructure, ensuring long-term sustainability. Claudio emphasizes the importance of strategic thinking, team empowerment, and consistency in execution to successfully navigate digital transformations. Secure your spot to discover who will win the CIONET Awards 2026 — and hear from Claudio and other Europe’s top digital leaders at CIONET Awards Part 1, powered by our partner Splunk 👉 https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1

    56 min

About

CIONET is the leading community of senior digital and IT executives around the world. With a membership of CIOs, CDOs, CTOs and IT leaders from the world’s leading companies, CIONET has the expertise and pioneering vision to solve or address any digital or IT management challenge. CIONET develops, manages and moderates a global community and next-generation platform with an integrated array of both offline and online tools and services designed to provide real-time support for digital and IT executives.