Today’s tech leaders must simultaneously navigate nonstop change on all fronts from cloud shifts and AI disruption to rising security threats. To reveal important insights that only real-world experience can forge, InformationWeek is reaching out to top CIOs about what they’re facing now, how they’re handling it, what advice they have for aspiring chief information officers, and how they got where they are.
These conversations aren’t just about tools and platforms. Every aspect of a seasoned tech leader’s experience is touched on from their business strategy and leadership approach to the real-world lessons that come from building resilient tech organizations when the world itself seems to morph beneath their feet.
Today we’re talking with Gill Haus, managing director and CIO at Chase, the consumer and community banking division of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Haus leads one of the largest and most complex tech operations in financial services, where he’s focused on scaling innovation, modernizing legacy systems, and keeping millions of customers connected and secure every day.
Here is what he had to say.
What has your career path looked like so far?
I always knew I wanted to work in technology. Even in middle school and high school, my evenings were spent watching science fiction, eating pizza, listening to electronic music, and coding. I realized early in my career that I enjoyed solving problems and helping others solve problems together. This has been a self-fulfilling prophecy and enabled me to get the roles I’ve had in my career. I didn’t set out to become the CIO for Chase; I focused on solving problems, helping people around me, and learning, and that paved the way for the roles I held.
What are the highlights of your career path?
I’ve had the chance to work with some amazing tech brands like eBay, PayPal, Capital One, and JPMorgan Chase. Each experience has been unique, but a standout moment was during the pandemic at Chase. We supported millions of small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program. It was tough, with long nights, but the teamwork and positive impact were incredibly rewarding.
I’m also proud of modernizing our flagship chase.com website and mobile app, moving them fully to the cloud. Things move quickly here, and in the past few years of rapid transformation, every day feels like a highlight. We serve millions of customers, helping them achieve their dreams and goals through the ongoing modernization of our technology.
What are you excited about in your current role?
I’m thrilled to influence and steer the technology direction of a firm that touches people, businesses, corporations, and governments globally. The technology challenges at our scale are second to none, and it’s exciting to work at the heart of the economy, where money plays a central role in people’s lives. It’s exhilarating to be part of a place where we can deploy technologies — from cloud to mobile to generative AI — to millions of customers. Despite being a large company, our people make it feel like a small family, making it enjoyable to come to work every day.
Please tell us about your advocacy efforts for diversity, inclusion, and culture.
Everyone brings their own unique insights and perspectives, offering fresh ways of thinking. It’s important to tap into this dynamic, which is why we aim to attract the best and brightest from around the world to JPMorgan Chase. I make sure everyone’s voice is heard, including junior employees, by involving them in discussions like monthly business reviews, so they can learn and contribute. We foster a meritocracy where you can be yourself and thrive.
What emerging trends are you excited about in the industry?
I’m excited about the promise of generative AI tools and how they will likely compel teams to focus on the fundamentals, offering benefits beyond just writing software. These tools can generate code and reduce engineer toil, but they also emphasize the importance of foundational computer science principles. By addressing the time-consuming and error-prone processes that have slowed us down — through unit testing, component testing, end-to-end testing, performance testing, and software release — and focusing on automating these areas, we can adopt generative AI more easily. This focus will help us use these tools to solve complex problems quickly and with greater confidence. A fully automated end-to-end software delivery lifecycle is crucial for scaling these technologies, allowing engineers to focus on the right tasks and boost productivity.
What do you do for fun or to relax?
I’ve loved electronic music and computers since I was a kid, and that hasn’t changed. In my spare time, I dive into coding and check out the latest tech. I still DJ and hit the clubs now and then, because embracing what makes us happy is key to recharging. This balance helps me bring my best to work, sparking creativity, and getting things done effectively.
What advice do you want to give to young people considering a leadership path in IT?
Embrace curiosity and welcome change because change is unstoppable. Leaders who cherish change and guide others through it are rare, but they are our future leaders, especially as change accelerates. If you’re feeling scared, that’s a good sign — it’s a part of learning. Embrace the healthy dose of fear that comes with growth every day.