Ted Williamson serves as the Chief Information Officer at Common Ground, a Michigan-based nonprofit organization specializing in crisis intervention and mental health services. He brings decades of experience across healthcare, enterprise IT, and consulting. He spent 15 years at Microsoft, where he led global consulting engagements and enterprise transformations. At Common Ground, Ted now leads cybersecurity and IT strategy to ensure that frontline staff can focus on saving lives while systems stay protected and efficient.

Here's a Glimpse of What You'll Learn

• How Common Ground uses dashboards to improve patient flow and crisis response • The rising threat of AI in phishing, impersonation, and ransomware attacks • Why social engineering is the most dangerous tactic in healthcare cybersecurity • How attackers exploit ransomware insurance policies for leverage • Ted’s nontraditional path from English major to Microsoft consulting leader • Why security culture must be a company-wide commitment • How AI is enhancing code quality, not replacing developers • The future risks of deepfake phone calls and identity spoofing

In this wide-ranging discussion, Ted Williamson shares what it’s like to step into the CIO role at Common Ground, a crisis care organization that operates services such as the 988 suicide hotline. Just weeks into the job, Ted is already focused on ensuring that technology works in the background while counselors and crisis professionals do their work on the front lines. He walks us through how Common Ground uses dashboards and data to monitor patient movement in real time, helping staff make faster and more informed decisions.

The conversation then shifts to today’s cybersecurity landscape, particularly in healthcare, where attackers increasingly rely on manipulation and leverage. Ted describes real-world incidents involving social engineering, session hijacking, and email impersonation. He explains why even the best security tools can fall short when users are caught off guard and why cultivating a security-first mindset across the entire organization is essential.

As the episode progresses, Ted discusses the role of artificial intelligence in development and cybersecurity. While AI is helping teams write cleaner code and improve productivity, it is also supercharging cyberattacks. Ted encourages young developers not to fear AI but to use it as a tool that strengthens their skills. He shares why cybersecurity training should be part of every technologist’s foundation and why strong collaboration between developers and security professionals is critical.

Finally, Ted opens up about his own journey. He went from being an English major at the University of Michigan to leading global consulting initiatives at Microsoft. Along the way, he learned how powerful it can be to combine technical expertise with business strategy and human empathy. His career is proof that nontraditional paths can lead to impactful leadership in technology.