Before her move to Gartner in April 2021, Ballard had most recently been senior vice president for e.Republic, the Folsom-based media, research and events company that produces Industry Insider — California, Government Technology and other publications.
“Leaving e.Republic was definitely one of the hardest career decisions I ever made,” Ballard told Industry Insider in a 2021 interview, “but Gartner provided me with opportunity to focus 100 percent of my efforts on helping public-sector IT leadership in my home state of California, which I love very much.”
After that, she said last week, “I couldn’t imagine going anywhere else but Gartner. I’m really happy.”
Ballard said she’s been gratified and surprised by her promotion as an acknowledgement of her work with Gartner.
“I’m really not into my second year yet, and I had a really good year last year,” she said. “I didn’t equate that that would become a promotion.”
Ballard’s new role, as client executive, is the highest position within Gartner for individual contributors. As such, she has no responsibilities for managing others, but is free to pursue her own client goals. Her promotion took effect last month.
Her goals in her new role, she said, include growing Gartner’s effectiveness for her clients and deepening her relationships with them.
“I’m looking to expand Gartner’s presence on some of the key projects and programs that are important to CHHS,” she said.
Ballard, who attended California State University, Sacramento, said she and her family enjoy off-roading and “I’m an absolute hockey fanatic.”
