Rachel Lockett was honored as the 2024 School of Information Technology inductee into the College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) Academy of Achievement. Induction into the CAST Academy of Achievement is an honor bestowed on graduates of the College of Applied Science and Technology. The Academy attempts to bring together “thought leaders” in their fields who, through their life work, serve as an inspiration to others to pursue similar career paths.
Lockett is a visionary technology leader who works with businesses to transform their IT function into a strategic asset and a competitive advantage. She holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Illinois State University.
Lockett began her career in Bloomington-Normal as a programmer for a local direct marketing company and was quickly promoted to a leadership role in the technology department. In 2002, she transferred to a company in Minnesota to assume a broader technology leadership role. Over the next several years, she gained direct experience in quality assurance, human resources, and accounting. She was also involved in multiple acquisitions and startups during that time.
In 2011, Lockett joined the Pohlad Companies, a privately held holding company with a diverse range of businesses based in Minneapolis. In 2014, she took on the role of chief information officer for the Pohlad Companies, providing strategic technology leadership for the operating companies within the portfolio through December 2023.
Lockett is known for driving innovative solutions—from major software implementations to custom application development to infrastructure overhauls and cloud migrations—that drive real results for the companies she serves. She achieves aggressive goals by building high-performing teams and a collaborative culture. She is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) as well as a certified ITIL Practitioner.
Lockett believes that motivated and empowered people can leverage technology to solve almost any problem we face in business, and in the world. In 2023, she published her first book, The Technology Doesn’t Matter: Prioritizing the People in IT Business Alignment and is a thought leader and professional speaker in the areas of cybersecurity, digital transformation, IT strategy, and DEI in the technology field. The School of IT is honored to be represented by Rachel Lockett in the CAST Academy of Achievement. To learn about all the 2024 inductees to the CAST Academy of Achievement click here.
