“Some authors write to live. I live to write.”
Anne Pollard’s professional journey is one of evolution, resilience, and reinvention. With over three and a half decades of experience spanning executive IT leadership to acclaimed authorship, Anne exemplifies the modern renaissance leader—fusing logic with creativity, and business precision with boundless curiosity. Her life’s arc reflects not only the milestones of a storied corporate career, but also a deeply personal transformation that has inspired her to share her voice with the world. In every endeavor, Anne brings strategic clarity, empathetic leadership, and an unwavering commitment to truth.
Beginning her career in the mid-1980s, Anne entered the world of programming and systems analysis at a time when technology was rapidly redefining business landscapes. Early roles at Royal & SunAlliance and Ivey’s Department Stores provided her with a foundational understanding of data systems, business logic, and operational efficiency. Her aptitude for understanding complex systems, combined with a natural leadership style, quickly distinguished her in a field where adaptability and foresight were paramount.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Anne rose through the IT ranks with a blend of discipline, strategic vision, and human-centered leadership. At CSX World Terminals, she oversaw global infrastructure and application design during pivotal corporate transitions, expertly guiding teams through change while ensuring service continuity. Her ability to manage large international teams—spanning Hong Kong to the Americas—showcased her global fluency and cultural agility, which would become a signature strength throughout her career.
Anne’s tenure at Textron marked a turning point in her career, positioning her as an influential figure in enterprise IT leadership. As Director of IT, she was responsible for the full lifecycle of infrastructure support across multiple business units, driving down costs while enhancing technological performance. Her leadership earned recognition from the CEO of E-Z-GO for her exceptional commitment to customer satisfaction and operational excellence. These acknowledgments reflected a leadership style that was both responsive and visionary—qualities essential to executive governance.
In her final corporate chapter, Anne served as Senior Director of IT for APM Terminals, a division of Maersk, where she led North and South American IT operations. Over her 10-year tenure, she guided digital transformation efforts, implemented strategic technology platforms, and ensured regional alignment with global objectives. She was a trusted advisor to senior leadership, known for translating technical complexity into clear business strategy, and for developing high-performing teams rooted in trust and empowerment.
By the time she “retired” at age 62, Anne had accumulated not only accolades and accomplishments, but a profound inner shift. A life-changing spiritual awakening ignited a new path—one driven by passion, creativity, and a desire to explore the metaphysical dimensions of existence. No longer bound by the confines of a boardroom, Anne turned inward, embracing the world of writing with the same intensity she once applied to IT strategy. She published her first book, Fabulous, an autobiographical reflection on the transformative decade leading to her spiritual rebirth.
Writing became more than a hobby—it became a calling. Anne’s second book, Cleo’s Fabulous Adventures: The Realm of the Woods, launched a new series that blended fantasy, animal consciousness, and spiritual discovery. Her third work, A Dance of Light and Dark, co-authored with Jerry Style, delves into poetry that explores the balance of joy and sorrow, expansion and introspection. Through these works, Anne invites readers to experience the world through new dimensions, offering narratives as both entertainment and enlightenment.
Today, Anne is an author, speaker, and advisor who continues to impact lives through storytelling and mentorship. Her years of boardroom insight and executive rigor make her uniquely suited for advisory or board roles within industries such as transportation, insurance, manufacturing, and book publishing. With no preference on company size or revenue, Anne seeks to align with organizations driven by purpose, innovation, and transformation. She brings both the analytic mind of a CIO and the intuitive wisdom of a storyteller—an increasingly rare combination.
Anne’s passion for writing, connection, and truth is matched only by her desire to contribute meaningfully. She is active in Charlotte’s community of emerging writers, mentoring others and supporting creative expression. While she has no current board roles, her readiness to serve is deeply rooted in experience, clarity of purpose, and the availability to offer her insights at the highest level. For Anne, board service is not just a professional chapter—it is a culmination of life’s learnings, ready to be shared.
As Anne continues her journey, she remains grounded by her values: authenticity, service, and transformation. Whether in a boardroom or on the page, her presence commands attention—not through volume, but through depth. She believes that great leadership is about asking better questions, listening deeply, and making space for new ideas to emerge. And above all, she believes in the power of reinvention.
Character:
Anne demonstrates unwavering integrity, empathy, and humility in both her leadership and literary journeys. Her commitment to authenticity and personal growth inspires those around her to bring their whole selves to every challenge.
Knowledge:
With over 35 years in technology leadership and an evolving literary career, Anne holds a rare synthesis of strategic acumen and creative depth. Her global experience and ability to interpret systems—both digital and human—enable her to offer powerful insights in any context.
Strategic:
Anne’s career reflects a lifelong ability to see the big picture while executing with precision. From optimizing infrastructure across continents to crafting multi-layered narratives, her strategic mindset elevates every initiative she touches.
Communication:
Whether delivering a vision to stakeholders or writing a transformative memoir, Anne communicates with clarity, warmth, and conviction. She transforms complexity into understanding and leads with a voice that resonates across boundaries.
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