By Holt Hackney
Dennis Mulder is a pragmatic IT architect and chief architect who helps business and technology leaders turn strategy into practical architecture. His areas of focus include cloud, data, security, governance, and the responsible use of AI.
We recently spoke with Mulder, who is also a member of the Chief Architect Forum (CAF), for the following interview.
Q: Tell us about your current role.
A: I focus on bridging business priorities and technology decisions, making sure architecture leads to execution and measurable business value.
Q: How did you get your start in technology?
A: It started in kindergarten. My dad was always bringing home new technology, and I wanted to understand how it worked.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges facing enterprise architects today?
A: Keeping up with AI and rapidly changing platforms, managing legacy complexity, and demonstrating value quickly enough to remain relevant. Ultimately, it’s about helping organizations move from strategy to execution through the effective use of technology.
I see too many architects focused on producing architecture deliverables rather than enabling the organizational change needed to make strategy a reality. That’s one reason we’re developing a tool to support that process at https://shengo.io
Q: What philosophy has contributed most to your success in technology?
A: Curiosity is probably the biggest factor, especially when it comes to learning new things. I also have a strong desire to help customers succeed. Throughout my career, I’ve worked for technology providers and consulting organizations, and I’ve always been motivated by solving real problems.
That’s one reason I left Microsoft. Many people there had solutions looking for problems. I’ve always preferred to start with the problem and then find the right solution.
Q: What topics are you most interested in today?
A: AI and agentic AI, security and resilience, sovereign cloud, data governance, and the growing emphasis on architecture as a value-delivery capability.
I’m particularly fascinated by large language models because they’re trained on such a vast body of knowledge. I’m interested in what comes next—especially when enterprises begin combining these systems with their own proprietary data. How do you protect that data while maximizing value?
I’m also intrigued by the growing discussion around digital sovereignty in Europe. There is increasing concern about dependence on American technology providers, particularly cloud vendors. Governments and businesses are asking how they can become less reliant on foreign technology platforms, and that’s a conversation worth following.
Q: You are a member of CAF. What do you like most about the organization?
A: It’s practitioner-led, independent, and grounded in real-world experience rather than vendor messaging.
Q: How has CAF influenced your career?
A: CAF has sharpened my thinking about business architecture and technology leadership by providing a strong peer network and practical perspectives from experienced practitioners.