In this episode of Next In Line, Cesar Jimenez sits down with Robyn Doughtie, an award-winning CIO and technology leader responsible for supporting a complex government organization serving nearly one million residents.

Robyn shares her journey from growing up in a small Oklahoma town and discovering an early interest in computers to beginning her career as a junior programmer and eventually becoming a CIO. She opens up about the unexpected timing of her leadership opportunity, interviewing for the role shortly after maternity leave, and the lessons she learned while navigating one of the most memorable promotion processes ever shared on the podcast.

The conversation explores the scale and complexity of government technology, including cybersecurity, infrastructure, digital public services, emergency response, customer experience, and the responsibility of managing taxpayer-funded innovation. Robyn also explains how she structures her leadership team, balances modernization with risk, and approaches emerging AI opportunities while establishing responsible guardrails for its use.

A major focus of the episode is Robyn’s commitment to developing the next generation of technology professionals. Each summer, her organization welcomes more than 30 interns who gain hands-on experience across cybersecurity, application development, networking, GIS, project management, desktop support, and other critical areas of IT.

Robyn and Cesar also discuss the importance of curiosity, consistency, integrity, mentorship, networking, and the intangible qualities that separate strong professionals from great leaders.