Fulton Schools CIO Wins Woman of the Year in Technology Award

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At a gala Thursday evening, Fulton County Schools’ Chief Information Officer Serena Sacks was named one of Georgia’s top “Women of the Year in Technology.”

The Women of the Year in Technology Awards program is sponsored by Women in Technology (WIT), an organization focused on creating opportunities for girls and women in the field of technology.

The initiative honors the accomplishments of Georgia’s top female leaders in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and the impact they’ve made in their communities. A winner was named in three categories: Small/Emerging, Medium/Mid-Size and Large/Enterprise businesses.

“It is an honor to accept this award on behalf of Fulton County Schools and the work we are doing to help each student reach their potential,” said Sacks, who was recognized in the Medium/Mid-Size Business category. “We believe that each child is unique and that technology extends the capabilities and reach of teachers so that learning is personalized. Our children should be educated to become problem-solvers, care-takers and leaders so that they have the knowledge, critical thinking skills and motivation to make positive changes in the world.”

Sacks joined Fulton County Schools in May 2014, and in just a year and a half, her influence has transformed the district’s Informational Technology Division. Sacks led the district to upgrade the infrastructure and network in more than 100 schools, implement a new data center, move IT functions from 11 satellite offices to two central ones, and manage successful technology integration in six new schools and in 30 renovated schools.

In addition, Sacks led the process to select mobile devices that support the district’s personalized learning focus, developed a new three-year IT Strategic Plan, launched an IT Governance Council, improved information security by creating more access controls and an awareness program, integrated a new VOIP phone system to more than 100 schools and administrative buildings, and implemented Microsoft Office 365, which moved all Microsoft software and email to the cloud.

The district also participated in a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant program to define competency-based learning under her leadership.

Upgrades also have been made to the district’s student information, human resources and finance systems, and throughout the school system, about 5,000 teachers received refreshed or new personal computers, allowing them better capability to do their jobs.

As important as this work has been, Sacks equally believes in recruiting top talent, championing others’ success and providing mentoring opportunities, especially to females in the predominately male technology industry.

Sacks also has worked to increase opportunities for other women in technology.

“I’m proud that there have been at least 18 women promoted in the FCS Information Technology Division. Candidates are reviewed on their merits and selected by their qualifications, not their gender, but it’s still thrilling to see more women advance in this field,” she said. “As a female CIO, I believe in being a strong representative and champion of women in the technology industry. We set the example for young girls everywhere who are developing an interest in STEM fields and who may just need a role model or some encouragement to succeed.”

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Photo: Serena Sacks, right, receives her award as one of Georgia’s top “Women of the Year in Technology.” Credit: Fulton County Schools