Building High-Performing Tech Teams with Irene Zaguskin

In this episode of Firing on All Syllables, Irene Zaguskin, CIO at PwC Canada, discusses the essential ingredients for building resilient, high-performing teams at the intersection of technology, business strategy, and cybersecurity. Drawing from two decades of experience leading digital transformation initiatives, she offers a clear-eyed view on integrating emerging technologies—including AI—into organizational systems without losing sight of human potential. Zaguskin also speaks to the unique challenges women face in tech leadership and offers research-based, actionable strategies to overcome systemic barriers. Her approach to transformation prioritizes cross-functional collaboration, risk mitigation, and lifelong learning—principles applicable to law firms, in-house teams, and any organization navigating rapid change.

Key Takeaways

  • Digital transformation begins with cross-functional alignment – success requires tech, legal, risk, and business units at the same table from day one.
  • Agility in decision-making is critical – strategic pivots must be normalized as part of adaptive governance, not treated as setbacks.
  • AI readiness is a leadership imperative – firms must equip their people with tools and training to stay competitive in a GenAI-powered economy.
  • Confidence gaps affect career mobility – Zaguskin explains why women must apply for roles even if they meet only some of the criteria.
  • Risk-aware innovation builds trust – effective CIOs de-risk technology implementations through shared accountability and vendor collaboration.
What makes Irene Zaguskin’s tech leadership relevant to legal professionals?
As CIO of a major professional services firm, she explains how lawyers, tech leads, and risk officers must collaborate closely to manage digital transformation responsibly.
How does she frame the role of AI in professional services?
Zaguskin views AI as a tool for augmenting, not replacing, human capability, emphasizing the need for governance, trust, and cross-training.
Why should legal professionals listen?
Those involved in innovation, cybersecurity, or multidisciplinary teams will gain practical strategies for aligning legal functions with digital and operational change.

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