John Cahill serves as the Chief Information Officer at the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS), where he oversees the technology operations for a system serving over 346,000 members. With more than 35 years of experience in IT, John has worked across public sector, private industry, healthcare, and nonprofits. At KPERS, he leads a diverse team responsible for infrastructure, application development, database administration, help desk support, and cybersecurity. Known for his people-first leadership and adaptive mindset, John is guiding KPERS through digital transformation and AI adoption while staying grounded in strong ethics, governance, and team collaboration.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- What KPERS is and how it supports public employees in Kansas
- How John balances access, cybersecurity, and digital services
- His approach to hiring for culture, not just technical skill
- How a leadership failure transformed his entire management style
- How KPERS is cautiously exploring AI and automation
- Strategies for supporting hybrid teams in public sector IT
- Why humility and self-awareness are critical for long-term leadership
In this episode…
John Cahill opens up about what it takes to manage the technology behind a massive public pension fund and the immense responsibility of delivering secure and seamless services to members who depend on monthly benefits. He shares the unique challenges of overseeing systems that handle both sensitive financial data and legislative updates in a hybrid work environment. John's pragmatic approach to cybersecurity is rooted in teamwork, vigilance, and hiring staff who are not only technically sharp but also forward-thinking.
One of the most powerful segments of the conversation is John's candid story about his early leadership missteps. Coming into a CIO role with a forceful desire to fix things quickly backfired—and led to staff alienation. Through deep introspection and facilitated team feedback, John redefined his leadership style with humility, patience, and a stronger sense of emotional intelligence. This journey helped him earn his team’s trust and build a culture of open communication and collaboration.
The discussion also explores how KPERS is cautiously but optimistically exploring artificial intelligence. From developing policies around AI usage to planning automation for member services and call centers, John is committed to ensuring responsible governance. He emphasizes the importance of training, transparency, and understanding employee motivations—especially in government roles where financial compensation may not be the primary driver.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Matthew Connor on LinkedIn
CyberLynx
John Cahill on LinkedIn
Kansas Public Employees Retirement System Website
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