Bob Kress, a veteran in cybersecurity and technology governance, has been appointed to the Board of Trustees at Illinois Institute of Technology. Kress brings over 40 years of experience in technology, risk management, and leadership development to the university’s governing body.
“It’s an honor to join the Illinois Tech Board of Trustees,” said Kress. “Illinois Tech’s commitment to advancing innovation and ethical leadership in technology mirrors the values I’ve championed throughout my career. I look forward to helping the university prepare the next generation of technologists to lead with integrity, curiosity, and purpose.”
Kress retired this year after serving as managing director, chief operating officer, global quality and risk officer, and global delivery lead for Accenture Security. In these roles, he contributed to shaping Accenture’s cybersecurity strategy and risk management framework. He also held senior positions such as managing director of Global IT Audit and COO for internal IT and commercial software divisions at Accenture.
Throughout his career, Kress has advised corporate boards globally on technology risk and resilience. He has led training sessions on emerging technologies and cybersecurity for board directors across various industries. His publications include numerous articles as well as two books: "Running IT Like a Business" and "IT Governance to Drive High Performance." He holds several patents related to artificial intelligence technologies that identify risk trends.
“On behalf of the Illinois Tech community, I’m honored to welcome Bob Kress to our board,” said Illinois Tech President Raj Echambadi. “Bob’s distinguished career, dedication to mentorship, and passion for sharing knowledge will further Illinois Tech’s mission as an opportunity engine—helping our students navigate the evolving frontiers of digital transformation and ensuring they graduate ready to lead with integrity and impact.”
Kress is also recognized for his civic involvement. He has chaired or served on boards including the College of Engineering at the University of Iowa, The Economic Club of Chicago, Executives’ Clubs of Chicago, and i.c.stars—a social enterprise focused on workforce development for low-income young adults in Chicago. He is a National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Board Leadership Fellow, a multi-year NACD Directorship 100 honoree, and a founding sponsor of the Digital Directors Network (DDN).
“Bob Kress embodies the combination of technical excellence, ethical leadership, and community engagement that defines Illinois Tech,” said Michael P. Galvin (LAW ’78), chair of the Illinois Tech Board of Trustees. “His expertise in cybersecurity and his lifelong commitment to mentoring others will inspire our students and strengthen our university’s leadership in this critical area.”
Kress holds an M.B.A. from the University of Iowa along with a bachelor’s degree in physics from Loras College. He currently serves as co-chair for Illinois Tech’s College of Computing Board of Advisors and sits on The Morton Arboretum's board.
Illinois Institute of Technology is based in Chicago as its only tech-focused university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees across disciplines such as engineering, computing, architecture, business, design, science/human sciences, and law. The institution emphasizes hands-on experiences through its Elevate program designed for job readiness.