The future of technology leadership is being redefined by a new generation of innovators who are bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and meaningful human impact. TechInformed's inaugural list of the Top 10 Influential Tech Leaders of 2025 reveals fascinating insights about what executive leadership looks like when it transcends traditional boundaries—and what this means for organisations seeking transformational technology leaders.
Looking at this year's honorees, a striking pattern emerges. These aren't just technology executives climbing corporate ladders—they're founders, innovators, and change-makers who've positioned themselves at the intersection of technology and societal impact. From Swayam Chouksey's enterprise-scale ecosystem work at Salesforce to Kevin Barenblat's tech nonprofit accelerator at Fast Forward, we're witnessing leaders who understand that technological capability alone isn't enough.
What sets these influential figures apart? They've mastered the art of translating complex technological concepts into tangible business outcomes and social benefits. Take Jonathan Horn at Treefera, who's using AI and satellite data to revolutionise supply chain transparency. This isn't just about deploying advanced technology—it's about solving real-world problems that matter to consumers, businesses, and the planet.
The diversity of backgrounds is equally telling. We see traditional corporate executives like Adel Al-Saleh leading next-generation satellite connectivity at SES, alongside media professionals like Julia Boorstin shaping conversations around innovation equity. This cross-pollination of expertise suggests that the future of technology leadership isn't confined to traditional tech companies or conventional career paths.
Perhaps the most significant trend emerging from this list is the emphasis on human-centred approaches to technology implementation. Tamara McCleary's work on ethical AI in healthcare exemplifies this shift, whilst Martin Harbech guides global brands through responsible digital transformation at Meta.
This human-first approach represents a fundamental change in how technology leaders are expected to operate. Gone are the days when CTOs and CIOs could focus solely on technical architecture and system performance. Today's influential technology leaders must navigate complex ethical considerations, ensure inclusive innovation, and demonstrate genuine impact on human experiences.
For organisations in New Zealand, this shift presents both opportunities and challenges. The leaders who will drive genuine transformation are those who can balance technical expertise with emotional intelligence, strategic thinking with ethical considerations, and global awareness with local market understanding.
Another compelling pattern from TechInformed's list is the prominence of purpose-driven leadership. Bill Schmarzo, known as the "Dean of Big Data," isn't just processing information—he's redefining how organisations turn analytics into measurable business value. Jake Ward at Mentions represents a new generation blending creativity with automation to drive sustainable growth.
This purpose-driven approach extends beyond individual companies to industry-wide impact. Alex Kantrowitz's independent journalism at Big Technology demonstrates how influential leaders are actively shaping conversations about transparency and accountability within the tech sector itself.
What does this mean for technology recruitment and career development? The most sought-after leaders are those who can articulate not just what they're building, but why it matters. They're comfortable discussing the broader implications of their work and can inspire teams around a shared vision that extends beyond quarterly targets.
The global trends reflected in this influential leaders list have particular relevance for New Zealand's technology sector. Our market has always valued innovation with purpose, and these global exemplars suggest we're heading in the right direction.
However, the challenge for New Zealand organisations is attracting and retaining leaders who embody these qualities. The leaders featured in TechInformed's list demonstrate several key characteristics that are becoming essential:
Cross-industry fluency: The ability to apply technological solutions across different sectors and understand their interconnections. This is particularly relevant for New Zealand, where many of our strongest opportunities lie in the intersection of technology with primary industries, tourism, and healthcare.
Global perspective with local impact: Leaders like those on this list understand how to leverage global technological trends whilst addressing specific local challenges and opportunities.
Storytelling capability: From Julia Boorstin's media expertise to Alex Kantrowitz's journalism background, these leaders understand that technology adoption is fundamentally about communication and narrative.
For executive search in the technology space, these trends suggest a fundamental shift in how we identify and evaluate potential leaders. Traditional metrics—years of experience, technical certifications, company size managed—are becoming insufficient indicators of future success.
Instead, we're looking for evidence of:
The future of technology leadership demands executives who are equally comfortable discussing quantum computing architectures and community impact metrics, who can inspire technical teams whilst engaging board-level stakeholders in meaningful strategic conversations.
The diversity of paths represented in TechInformed's top 10 list offers encouraging insights for career development in technology leadership. These aren't just computer science graduates who climbed traditional corporate hierarchies—they're individuals who've built influence through different combinations of technical expertise, business acumen, and social impact.
For emerging technology leaders, this suggests several development priorities:
As we observe these global trends in technology leadership, several implications emerge for organisations planning their executive hiring strategies. The leaders who will drive meaningful transformation are those who can demonstrate both technical depth and broad impact thinking.
For hiring managers and boards, this means expanding evaluation criteria beyond traditional technical competencies. The question isn't just "Can this person manage our technology infrastructure?" but "Can they help us understand and shape how technology will transform our industry and our role within it?"
The future of technology leadership is being written by individuals who understand that technology is never just about technology—it's about people, purpose, and progress. The organisations that recognise this shift and hire accordingly will be the ones that thrive in an increasingly complex technological landscape.
What kind of technology leader is your organisation really looking for? The answer might be more nuanced than you think.
