Driving Innovation and Scale: Gregory Boggs' Journey at Cardinal Health
"I Am an Architect of Growth" is a series spotlighting changemakers in the technology industry who are driving innovation and championing inclusion - in their own words.
In the complex world of healthcare logistics and pharmaceutical distribution, leadership requires more than just technical know-how—it demands strategic vision, operational clarity, and a deep understanding of global systems. Gregory Boggs, Chief Information Officer for the Cardinal Health Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions segment, exemplifies this rare blend. With decades of experience and a blueprint grounded in trust and adaptability, Boggs has become a key force behind one of the company’s most critical business units. His story offers valuable insights into enterprise leadership, IT transformation, and the power of growing from within.
Leading a Critical Segment of the Business
Gregory Boggs currently serves as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions segment at Cardinal Health—its largest and most profitable division. At the start of Boggs’ career, revenues were less than $12B annually, and Cardinal Health had just expanded from a regional distributor to covering the U.S. nationwide. During his tenure, the business has grown by $214B and expanded its footprint from a single country to operations in 30 countries. Today, this segment alone contributes approximately 90% of the company’s revenue—$210B of $226B in FY 2024 earnings—underscoring its strategic significance. Boggs directly supports this division, overseeing technology operations, enabling business strategies through technology delivery and setting technology strategy.
Leadership Rooted in Trust, Service, and Coaching
Boggs views himself as a coach who empowers others to do their best work. This leadership style stems from his belief that the best outcomes happen when people feel supported, challenged, and valued. Coaching is about helping others unlock their potential, he explains. As he puts it: “Always put the team in the best position possible to succeed—try to move obstacles for them. I try to get them to perform at their best.”
Whether guiding a global IT organization or mentoring one-on-one, Boggs builds trust through open communication, consistent feedback, and a focus on individual development. He fosters high-performing teams that are resilient, adaptable, and invested in the bigger picture.
Why Diversity and Inclusion Matter
For Boggs, diversity and inclusion are not just corporate buzzwords—they’re essential to performance, innovation, and human connection. “Diverse teams think more broadly,” he says. “They challenge assumptions, and they reflect the real world we serve.” He believes inclusion begins with intentionality: creating environments where every voice is heard and valued, and where differences are seen as strengths, not barriers.
Rather than focus on check-the-box efforts, Boggs believes inclusion is about creating space for others to lead. He encourages active listening, shared ownership, and a culture where collaboration outweighs hierarchy. By fostering psychological safety and welcoming varied perspectives, he helps build teams that are not only diverse in makeup—but powerful in how they work together.
A Philosophy Grounded in Purpose and People
At the core of Gregory Boggs’ leadership is a simple but profound belief: leadership is about making others better, not making yourself bigger. His philosophy is shaped by purpose, humility, and a deep respect for people—principles that guide both how he leads and how he lives.
Boggs stays grounded in service—removing barriers, enabling growth, and showing up with authenticity. He believes that when leaders invest in people first, performance naturally follows. That belief manifests in the way he builds trust, leads through change, and stays present for his team—even in the most high-pressure environments.
Whether mentoring rising talent or navigating complex business challenges, Boggs brings calm, clarity, and care. For him, success is measured not just in business outcomes, but in the growth of those around him—and the culture he leaves behind.
Growing Through Curiosity and Opportunity
Gregory Boggs didn’t follow a conventional path into technology—but he saw every step of his journey as an opportunity to grow. He began his career at Cardinal Health as a project manager on the data warehousing team, bringing a strong business mindset and natural curiosity about how things work.
Rather than focusing on what he didn’t know, Boggs focused on what he could learn. He immersed himself in the systems, connected across teams, and took full advantage of every opportunity to lead and contribute. That proactive mindset helped him quickly build both technical depth and leadership credibility, ultimately paving the way to roles of increasing scope and influence.
Greg’s Blueprint:
Boggs’ journey is a clear reflection of his leadership blueprint:
Learn. Resiliency. Servant. Trusted.
It shows that career growth isn’t about fitting a mold—it’s about staying open, engaged, and committed to continuous learning. And just as he’s advanced by leaning into opportunity, Boggs empowers others to do the same—coaching them to recognize their potential and take the lead in shaping their own path forward.
