In this episode, Ryan Schlimpert, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Drury Hotels, breaks down how modern technology leaders can drive innovation without losing the human touch. He explores the power of human-centric AI, explaining how automating backend processes creates more space for meaningful, real-world customer connections. Discover actionable wisdom on shifting from hands-on problem-solving to empowering teams, navigating organizational change, and viewing ROI as relentless ongoing improvement.
Bio: Ryan Schlimpert is the Sr. Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Drury Hotels.
His career has evolved from a technologist to a leader of IT teams focused on developing solutions to meet business needs. Ryan endeavors to enable teams to achieve great results through hard work, collaboration, continuous improvement, empowering individuals and having fun. Within Drury, Ryan is responsible for information technology strategy and operations.
Prior to joining Drury, Ryan spent 10 years at Mastercard Worldwide. In those 10 years, Ryan went from Senior Software Engineer to Vice President of Digital Consumer Solutions. As Vice President, Ryan was responsible for an organization, including teams for Project/Program Management, Process & Decision Technologies and Global File Transfer. Later, Ryan took the role of Vice President, Digital Marketing Technologies with teams comprised of Business Analysts, Solution Consultants and Solution Architects as well as a Digital Consulting team. Ryan’s other experience at Mastercard Worldwide included leading teams in areas of Web Development, Business Process Management and Automation Technologies.
Ryan earned an MBA in Information Management from Washington University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Information Systems and Computer Science at Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. Prior to college, Ryan was born and raised in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
Ryan and his family have served as a “big” with Big Brothers Big Sisters and he stays active traveling and coaching flag football, basketball and baseball for his 13 year old son.
Something Extra: "It's that combination of people that just get it...and then that ROI (Relentless Ongoing Improvement)."
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