--- title: NICOLAS P. LIAKOPULOS description: Working his way up for his entire work life, Nicolas Liakopulos, CIO of UCAN, made it to the top of the ladder. He shares his journey here. image: https://www.theciocircle.com/hubfs/ALECS%20Template%20for%20Blogs%20%20(43).png --- [![Black CIO Circle logo-2](https://www.theciocircle.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Black%20CIO%20Circle%20logo-2.png?width=160&height=60&name=Black%20CIO%20Circle%20logo-2.png) ![White CIO Circle logo](https://www.theciocircle.com/hs-fs/hubfs/White%20CIO%20Circle%20logo.png?width=160&height=60&name=White%20CIO%20Circle%20logo.png)](https://www.theciocircle.com) [![Black CIO Circle logo-2](https://www.theciocircle.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Black%20CIO%20Circle%20logo-2.png?width=180&height=68&name=Black%20CIO%20Circle%20logo-2.png)](https://www.theciocircle.com) - [Advisory](https://www.theciocircle.com/advisory) - [Advisory Overview](https://www.theciocircle.com/advisory) - [Tech Cost Optimisation](https://www.theciocircle.com/tech-cost-optimisation) - [Tech Leadership & Strategy Advisory](https://www.theciocircle.com/technology-strategy-advisory) - [Community](https://www.theciocircle.com/the-cio-circle-community) - [Community Overview](https://www.theciocircle.com/the-cio-circle-community) - Memberships - [Community Membership](https://www.theciocircle.com/community) - [Leader Membership](https://www.theciocircle.com/membership-leader) - [Executive Membership](https://www.theciocircle.com/membership-executive) - [Partners](https://www.theciocircle.com/partners) - [Partners Overview](https://www.theciocircle.com/partners) - [Insights](https://www.theciocircle.com/insights) - [Advisory](https://www.theciocircle.com/advisory) - [Advisory](https://www.theciocircle.com/advisory) - [Advisory Overview](https://www.theciocircle.com/advisory) - [Tech Cost Optimisation](https://www.theciocircle.com/tech-cost-optimisation) - [Tech Leadership & Strategy Advisory](https://www.theciocircle.com/technology-strategy-advisory) - [Community](https://www.theciocircle.com/the-cio-circle-community) - [Community](https://www.theciocircle.com/the-cio-circle-community) - [Community Overview](https://www.theciocircle.com/the-cio-circle-community) - Memberships - [Community Membership](https://www.theciocircle.com/community) - [Leader Membership](https://www.theciocircle.com/membership-leader) - [Executive Membership](https://www.theciocircle.com/membership-executive) - [Partners](https://www.theciocircle.com/partners) - [Partners](https://www.theciocircle.com/partners) - [Partners Overview](https://www.theciocircle.com/partners) - [Insights](https://www.theciocircle.com/insights) [Member Login](https://member.theciocircle.com/wp-login.php) [Join Free](https://www.theciocircle.com/request-access-to-the-cio-circle-community) # NICOLAS P. LIAKOPULOS ![The CIO Circle Editor](https://www.theciocircle.com/hubfs/FAVICON.png) July 21, 2022 ## NICOLAS P. LIAKOPULOS ### Chief Information Officer at UCAN ##### **Can you please provide a little introduction about yourself** I am based in the city of Chicago Illinois – USA and I am the CIO.   ##### **What has your journey to your position been like? What path have you taken?** The journey has taken 6 years to build a broken IT Team and redefine the technology for the agency. Nowadays a lot of manual processes have been automated and applications move into the cloud. For infrastructure, it has been updated and strengthen by utilizing the most up-to-date technology for wide area networks.   ##### **Has it always been your vision to reach the position you’re at? Was your current role part of your vision to become a tech leader?** Absolutely yes, I have worked my way up the ladder all my work life.   [![CIO Guest interview 1](https://www.theciocircle.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CIO%20Guest%20interview%201.png?width=1200&height=600&name=CIO%20Guest%20interview%201.png)](https://www.theciocircle.com/be-featured)   ##### **Have you had a role model or mentor that has helped you on your journey?** I have had several role models in my lifetime.   ##### **How do you see the role of the technology leader evolving over the next 5 years?** To be stronger and accessible to everyone.   ##### **What skills do you think leaders of the future will need in order to thrive?** Innovation, high communication skills, strong listening skills, high sensitivity to the audience and clients, build strong relationships internal and external, and perseverance.   ##### **How do you keep current with new skills, technologies and personal development?** Assist to online webinars, online research, talking to piers, and listening to others.   ##### **What do you see as the next leap in technology that will impact your business or industry in particular?** Utilization of the right technology to make more precise decision making.   ***"To continue to improve on people and listening skills."***   ##### **If you were mentoring a leader of the future, what advice or guidance would you give to help them on their way?** To continue to improve on people and listening skills.   ##### **Is there anything in particular that you would still like to achieve in your career or what is the next step on your journey?** To continue to innovate by providing the right technology to the agency.   ##### **If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?** Peace around the world.   > A big thank you to **[Nicolas P. Liakopulos](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickliakopulos/)** from [UCAN](http://www.ucanchicago.org) for sharing his journey to date. If you would like to gain more perspective from Tech Leaders and CIOs you can read some of our other interviews [here](https://theciocircle.com/interviews/). 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