When Jeri Koester, MBA ’21, joined the Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) program at UW-Stevens Point (UWSP), her goal was to round out her business acumen and enhance her leadership capabilities. Koester’s primary goal when pursuing her advanced degree was to complement her technical leadership experiences with the advantages of an MBA focused on optimizing her ability to lead people, projects, and the entire organization. Little did she know the year after she graduated, she would be awarded one of the biggest honors in her career as a Chief Information Officer (CIO).
Earlier this year, Koester was honored with the ORBIE Award in the healthcare category. For over 20 years, the CIO ORBIE Awards have recognized technology executives for leadership, innovation, and excellence in this rapidly growing, CIO-led national professional association. The Wisconsin CIO ORBIE® Awards honor CIOs who have demonstrated excellence in technology leadership. CIOs are typically recognized in multiple categories based on the size and scope of their organization and responsibilities.
“The recognition I received amongst such established peers is very humbling,” shared Koester. “Winning the ORBIE award validated the hard work of our team and the impact we can have on patients within our communities. I am honored to work for an organization that delivers rural health care but can also be innovative at the same time.”
Koester is responsible for leading IT business functions that align IT investments with business value. She received a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management information systems from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
In addition to an exceptional career as a CIO, Koester values the preservation of our rural communities. In her profession, she is constantly reminded of the challenges facing these groups of people. She believes successful businesses can lessen the hardships small communities are tasked with. With her MBA, Koester knows she is better prepared to work within these communities to build solutions and economic development that embrace our Wisconsin culture.
Koester makes her impact in the local community as a board member of the Medford Area Fire Commission and a member of the Rainbow Gymnastics Fundraising Committee. She is also a member of the Business Advisory Council for the UW-Stevens Point School of Business and Economics.
Are you looking to elevate your career? Have you considered getting an MBA? To learn more about the only program in the state focused on leadership and decision-making, visit uwsp.edu/mba.