Laurie Panella is the chief information officer who leads the information technology services department at Marquette University in Milwaukee. The department is responsible for developing and implementing the university’s technology strategy and provides support for academic and administrative computing. This includes services such as classroom and instructional technology, administrative systems, application development, network infrastructure, cybersecurity, data analytics, support services, and telecommunications.
Joel Pogodzinski, the executive vice president and chief operating officer at Marquette, acknowledges Laurie’s role in transforming the department’s culture and perception. She has helped transition the department from solely being a back-end office function to becoming a strategic partner of the university. Panella joined Marquette in 2019 and played a pivotal role in assisting the university in shifting classes online during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under Laurie’s leadership, Marquette’s IT department has enhanced the sophistication and structure of the university’s cybersecurity infrastructure. In an era of heightened risk, Panella has emphasized the importance of keeping up with cybercriminals who are constantly evolving their tactics. She often reminds her team that while they may be building a five-story building, cybercriminals are simultaneously constructing a six-story ladder.