At Innovate@UCLA, our community thrives thanks to the dedication and leadership of exceptional professionals like Catherine Bindewald. A valued member of both our Executive Leadership Awards Committee and Planning Committee, Catherine exemplifies what it means to lead with vision, collaboration, and purpose.
Catherine currently serves as the Chief Information Officer at the USC Marshall School of Business. Under her leadership, the school has launched a number of forward-thinking initiatives, including the creation of the Operational Cabinet—a new governance body that brings together senior leaders to foster a culture of data-driven decision making and collaborative change management.
Looking to the future, Catherine is most energized by the transformative potential of AI, Virtual Reality, and Augmented Reality in academia. She sees these technologies not only as tools for streamlining processes but as powerful enablers of immersive, experiential learning and breakthrough research. By helping faculty, staff, and students analyze complex data, receive real-time feedback, and explore new frontiers of discovery, these innovations are rapidly reshaping how knowledge is created and shared. For Catherine, the key is understanding how to harness these tools to elevate the student experience and expand the possibilities of education itself.
Her involvement with Innovate@UCLA began through a recommendation from fellow member and colleague Howard Miller. Catherine was drawn in by its inclusive, innovation-driven culture and the meaningful connections it fosters. Since then, she has become a core part of the community, helping shape high-impact events—like the historic CxO event hosted at USC, which Jim Rinaldi called a milestone. The event was a powerful reminder of the value in stepping beyond the expected and forming partnerships in new and surprising ways.
Reflecting on her journey in tech leadership, Catherine shares timeless advice for rising professionals in IT and education:
- Keep the Purpose at the Center – In all endeavors, especially when captivated by the shiny emerging technologies, always circle back to the core question: How will this truly enable and empower our students, faculty, learning, and scholarship?
- Embrace Curiosity – Approach every problem, challenge and setback as invaluable opportunities to learn and grow by consistently asking “why.”
- Maintain Openness – Be receptive to new opportunities and resist limiting your own potential or allowing others to impose narrow definitions upon you.
- Confront Challenges Directly – Recognize that denial is not a strategy; address problems proactively and with respect.
- Invest in People – Invest in training and growth, understanding that it’s better to empower individuals who may eventually move on than to retain untrained talent.
We’re proud to spotlight Catherine Bindewald – a CIO shaping the future of technology in higher education, and a leader who embodies the collaborative spirit of Innovate@UCLA.
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