Sheila Talton is an innovative global leader and Big Data strategist with over 30 years of experience in helping organizations increase value, build successful businesses within larger companies and expand into emerging markets. She is recognized for her expertise in developing bold initiatives, whether that is through public/private partnerships melding company strategies with governmental objectives, obtaining buy-in for consulting services within technology product companies, or breaking down silos to build services around products to create solutions that increase customer value.
Her experience in governance extends to corporate, civic and not-for-profit sectors; currently serving on the boards of Deere & Company (NYSE: DE), Wintrust Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:WTFC), OGE Energy Corp. (NYSE:OGE), Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial Hospital Foundation, The Chicago Network, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the Chicago Urban League and Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY). She served for 10 years on the board of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and for five years at Acco Brand Corporation (NYSE:ABD). She was a founding member and chairperson of the Information Technology Senior Management Forum, where she continues to serve on their advisory board. She also served on the Advisory Committee to the Board Selection Committee for Agenda, a Financial Times Company.
Ms. Talton has had significant tenures at many organizations that have pioneered the current technology environment (Cisco Systems, EDS, Ernst & Young) as well as founding a consultancy that was an early leader in communications network integration. Built significant businesses both within large enterprises and as independent start-ups, as well as new markets for companies moving into emerging countries.
Career milestones: Built Advisory Services Consulting Practice for Cisco Systems into a global, profitable organization. First Cisco executive to build Cisco’s China, Brazilian and Mexico’s globalization strategy, including private/public partnerships with the Chinese, Brazilian and Mexican governments. Created a $6 billion Solutions Consulting practice for EDS. Identified as a pioneer in the network integration consulting business as CEO of Unisource Systems.
Specialties: Big Data/data analytics Strategists and General Manager. Public/Private Partnerships in emerging markets, building services around product portfolios to extend product life cycles and protect profit margins and corporate governance.