The 2023 Women Leaders in Consulting: Iffat Tariq

Iffat Tariq is an accomplished leader with over 25 years of experience in Enterprise Data Intelligence. As Chief Digital Officer at I&I Software Inc., she has successfully led global digitization projects, particularly in the Public Sector and Smart Cities sectors.

During her tenure as Chief Digital Officer at the City of Glendale, Iffat played a pivotal role in incorporating data-driven decision-making processes, earning the city the prestigious Gold Level Award from Bloomberg. Her leadership and expertise have consistently delivered remarkable results for clients, including renowned organizations such as Nike, CONMED, Sara Lee, State of Georgia and World Vision.

Iffat's ability to bring together people, processes and technology, coupled with her deep understanding of data governance and enterprise information management, has enabled her to deliver impactful solutions. She is passionate about mentoring and coaching women in technology, actively promoting diversity and supporting the advancement of women in the industry.

With a reputation for excellence, Iffat's visionary leadership and consulting skills have made a significant impact on her clients' operations. Her commitment to driving positive change through data-driven strategies sets her apart in the industry and positions her as a valuable asset to any organization she serves.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

My notable accomplishment showcases leadership in extraordinary conditions and delivering next-gen technology. Amid COVID-19 pandemic, I led the Grant Management program for King County, WA – serving a 2.3M population and coordinating case management among 46 agencies through single platform. Despite remote work and personal hardships, I motivated the team to deliver outstanding results. We disbursed $160 million in grants, providing relief to 13,000 residents, preventing evictions. KC was recognized as #1 county for the use of public technology according to 2021 Digital Counties Survey. Tanya Hannah, CIO of KC, stated. "It's about digital transformation and merging the physical and digital spaces. If COVID taught us anything, it's that people want to connect with government using technology they have available."

Another grand scale achievement is my strategic partnership and leadership role with Glendale to develop a SaaS solution AZ Tax Central winner 2023 CIO100 Award. AZ Tax Central is not only used by Glendale but more than 20% of Arizona cities are paid subscribers. Moreover, Arizona League of Cities is also subscribing to this solution to support smaller Arizona cities. This achievement is first in the history of Glendale."…congratulations to your department and to finance for working collaboratively and coming up with a program that makes sense for the city" CM Joyce Clark

In conclusion, these accomplishments serve as a testament to my unwavering commitment to excellence, my ability to lead in challenging circumstances, prioritize client needs, and lead positive change through the power of technology and innovation.

What's the best advice—consulting or otherwise—you've ever received?

My passion is to inspire women, embracing the advice of being a 'Leader behind a Leader' – a key factor in my success leading Connected Product initiative at Nike. The project was a massive undertaking with a budget of $60 million, which generated profits of $500 million, involving factories, vendors and stores. Exceptional leadership skills were crucial for success on such a grand scale. Sofia Cox, GM, Nike applauded "…I can clearly see the impact your leadership is having on the team. I understand being the "Leader behind the Leader" isn't always an easy role and you have done it with such grace…"

At Glendale, I incorporated Sheryl Sandberg's advice on true leadership, which focuses on elevating others through my presence and ensuring lasting impact even in my absence. My team delivered multiple projects across the city, including various departments and agencies. I continued to lead from a distance, influencing without authority and achieved great outcomes. Our most recent engagement, I&I Software was praised by the CIO, Feroz Merchhiya, for our exceptional work in collaborating with HR, Finance and the Police Department, aligning perfectly with their strategy of empowering their business partners.

In conclusion, these inspiring statements have been instrumental in driving me to challenge myself and continually improve to lead the way forward. While the role of women in technology industry is crucial, their representation in leadership positions is frequently outnumbered by men. If I can take inspiration from women leaders, others can do it too.

What advice would you give to a female consultant just beginning her career?

Recognition fuels my passion to inspire female consultants. As a woman of color and an immigrant, I understand the challenges faced in the tech industry regarding diversity and inclusion. As per CIO Magazine, It is evident that gender and racial disparities persist even today, with women holding only 28% of technology roles, Asian, Black and Hispanic women being underrepresented. US Today recently posted an interview by Jayakumar, who said "The generations of men and women before us had to suffer in silence. I don't think any one of us wants this to continue for a minute longer than it already has" This is a testament that we have a fair journey ahead of us." Considering these challenges, I offer the following advice to future generations:

Embrace your uniqueness because that is going to make you more passionate about your goals. Don't let social barriers hold you hostage to your pursuits, smash through them to fulfill your destiny. Build a strong network. As Shaherose Charania stated "Women no longer have an 'if I can' mindset. Now it's more about 'how I can'–And it happened because we created a network where we show, daily that women are innovating." I would like them to encourage other females to join STEM which will contribute to higher percentage of women in IT.

I will conclude by saying "Instead of waiting for change to happen, be the catalyst for positive change and unleash a storm of success that paves the path for others."

What does this recognition mean to you?

Winning a Women Leaders in Consulting Excellence in Leadership award means more than just a recognition of my work. It symbolizes the profound impact I have been able to make as a women leader in technology. Specifically in the public sector, where my services impact beyond geographies and broader stakeholders including citizens, departments, agencies and leagues, this award holds even greater significance. Michelle Obama once said, "No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contribution of half of its citizens."

Winning this award is not only a personal achievement, but it also serves as a testament to the legacy I am leaving behind. It paves the way for my female colleagues who are working relentlessly in smaller consulting firms like I&I Software, where resources are limited (compared to larger firms), and most females come from Asian backgrounds. This award is recognition that even in such challenging circumstances, women can excel as leaders in tech and be acknowledged for their excellence in leading diverse teams. This award is dedicated to all the women who are cultivating female leadership and are working hard to break through the barriers to create more equitable future for all. I am grateful for this recognition and will continue to make significant contribution by attracting more female leaders in STEM.