Past Summits

2022 St. Louis CIO Executive Leadership Summit

Leading Boldly and Authentically - Inspiring Trust and Winning in the Global Digital Economy

The digital pivot most companies have made since March 2020 has created new opportunities for CIOs, CISOs and business technology executives to play a deeper role in designing the future of the business and in the shape of the organization. Technology executives who inspire employees and foster an environment of trust can stimulate a collaborative culture that sparks innovation and drives business outcomes with the aid of impactful technologies that can enable the organization to win in the marketplace while attracting, growing, and retaining the people and skills that are needed to power the successful 21st-century organization.

“Trust changes everything for you as a leader, for your IT team and for your relationships.”


- Stephen M.R. Covey

 


  • Bhavani Amirthalingam
    EVP, Chief Customer and Technology Officer
    Ameren

    Bhavani Amirthalingam joined Ameren in 2018 as senior vice president and chief digital information officer. She is leading Ameren's digital transformation to deliver a differentiated customer and co-worker experience, leveraging emerging technologies to enable the grid of the future while driving operational excellence at scale. She is focused on accelerating technology solutions to enable greater safety, security, reliability and productivity at scale.

    Amirthalingam brings to Ameren both a breadth and depth of experience as a customer-centric innovator. Starting in 2015, she worked as chief information officer and business transformation leader of North American Operations at Schneider Electric, a Fortune 500 corporation specializing in global energy management and automation solutions integrating technology, software and services. There, she drove the organization's digital transformation across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central America. Previously, at World Wide Technology (WWT) Inc., she served as CIO and vice president of Customer Solutions and Innovation.  
     
    She earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Madras, India, and an MBA in information management from the S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research in Mumbai. Amirthalingam serves as a member of the Forbes Technology Council and an executive member of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Information, Communication and Cyber Security (ICCS) Committee.
     
    Amirthalingam is as passionate about giving back as she is about driving results. She serves on the board for the St. Louis Ballet Company and the board of Soorya Performing Arts, promoting South Asian performing arts in North America. She also has been a mentor and coach for FIRST robotics competitions. She lives in the St. Louis area with her husband and two children. 

  • Christy Barker
    VP & CIO
    Olin Corporation

    Christy Barker is Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Olin Corporation, a global manufacturer of Chlor Alkali Products, Vinyls, Epoxy and Winchester.   Christy joined Olin in 2016, tasked to transform the IT operating model, business and manufacturing technology platform to integrate Olin’s global operations and deliver new capabilities that enable the company’s strategic digital roadmap.   She also serves a member of the American Chemistry Council’s Chemical Information Technology Center Executive Board.

    Christy’s previous experience includes senior leadership positions at Israel Chemicals Limited, where she worked in the USA, Israel, and Europe, and as CIO of Astaris.  Christy has extensive experience working within intense and demanding environments, leading global transformations and establishing business shared service centers around the world. She graduated with a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from Missouri State and received her MBA from Webster University, while living in The Netherlands.

  • Palash Bera, Ph.D.
    Chair; Father Davis Professor, Department of Operations and IT Management
    Saint Louis University

    Palash Bera, Ph.D.

    Chair; Father Davis Professor
    Department of Operations and IT Management

    Interim Associate Dean for Graduate Programs
    Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business

    Education

    Ph.D. in Management Information Systems, University of British Columbia
    M.S. in Management Information Systems, University of British Columbia
    B.S. in Physics & Education, Utkal University-India

    Publications and Media Placements

     

    Bera, P., Soffer, P., and Parsons, J. (2019) Using Eye Tracking to Expose the Cognitive Processes of Understanding Conceptual Models, 43 (4), pp. 1105-1126 MIS Quarterly

    Bera, P. and Poels, G. (2019) How quickly do we learn conceptual models? 28(6), pp. 663-680 European Journal of Information Systems

    Sirois, L., Bedard, J. and Bera, P. (2018) The Informational Value of Key Audit Matters in the Auditor's Report: Evidence from an Eye-tracking Study" 32 (4), pp. 141-162, Accounting Horizons

     

    Honors and Awards

     

    • Diamond Paper Publication Award, Chaifetz School of Business (2019)
    • Annual Research Paper Award, Chaifetz School of Business (2015, 2019)

  • Palash Bera
    Interim Associate Dean for Graduate Programs, Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business
    Saint Louis University

    Ph.D. in Management Information Systems, University of British Columbia
    M.S. in Management Information Systems, University of British Columbia
    B.S. in Physics & Education, Utkal University-India

    Publications and Media Placements

     

    Bera, P., Soffer, P., and Parsons, J. (2019) Using Eye Tracking to Expose the Cognitive Processes of Understanding Conceptual Models, 43 (4), pp. 1105-1126 MIS Quarterly

    Bera, P. and Poels, G. (2019) How quickly do we learn conceptual models? 28(6), pp. 663-680 European Journal of Information Systems

    Sirois, L., Bedard, J. and Bera, P. (2018) The Informational Value of Key Audit Matters in the Auditor's Report: Evidence from an Eye-tracking Study" 32 (4), pp. 141-162, Accounting Horizons

     

    Honors and Awards

     

    • Diamond Paper Publication Award, Chaifetz School of Business (2019)
    • Annual Research Paper Award, Chaifetz School of Business (2015, 2019)

  • Michael Brown
    Field CISO, Financial Services
    Fortinet

    Michael Brown is Field CISO, Financial Services at Fortinet. He is a global security evangelist and advisor, helping financial services firms implement digital transformation while enhancing security and resilience. He specializes in cybersecurity regulations, ESG impact, SD-WAN, SD-Branch, Zero Trust, low-latency electronic trading security, SASE, and multi-cloud solutions. 

  • Jennifer Buckner
    Senior Vice President Technology Risk Management | Risk Governance and Operations
    Mastercard

    Jennifer “Jen” Buckner leads Mastercard’s Technology Risk Management Global Governance and Operations team, providing enhanced visibility and proactive management of security and technology risks, with a focus on integration of information security standards and controls with technology risk governance, regulatory obligations and third-party risks.

    Jen is a former U.S. Army Brigadier General who held numerous intelligence and leadership positions throughout her 30-year military career.  In her last government role, Jen served as the U.S. Army’s Director of Cyber, where she led governance and oversight of cyber capabilities and championed emerging technologies to enable detection and disruption of significant cyber threats.  

    In operational roles, Jen shaped U.S. Cyber Command’s response to major cyber events attributed to nation-state adversaries, led a U.S. government interagency task force to counter ISIS in cyberspace, and established relationships with U.S and foreign partners focused on mitigating the threat of cyber-attacks.  As Chief of the Army’s cyber branch and training center, she developed and implemented strategies for cyber talent recruitment, retention, and leader development. 

    Jen currently serves as an Independent Corporate Director with US Xpress and in advisory roles with the Cyber Risk Institute and Partnership for Public Service Cybersecurity Talent Initiative. 

    An Army Sports Hall of Fame athlete, military master parachutist and former All-American collegiate swimmer, Jen holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering Management from West Point and an MBA from Central Michigan University. She was the first U.S. Army Cyber Fellow at the National Security Agency, completed Harvard’s Executive Education Program in Cybersecurity (Integration of Policy and Technology), National Association of Corporate Directors Battlefield to Boardroom program, and Carnegie Mellon’s Chief Risk Officer program. 

  • Andrea Butcher
    CEO
    *HRD

  • Dedric Carter
    Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Chief Commercialization Officer
    Washington University in St. Louis

  • Roftiel Constantine
    Global CISO
    Barry-Wehmiller

    Senior leader with more than 25 years of results-oriented experience in leading people, strategic planning, delivering secure/efficient/effective information technology solutions, and directing complex programs and projects. Strong record of success in leading large/small/multinational organizations, infrastructure operations, Internet of Things business models, vendor/contract management, cost containment and quality improvement.

    - Key skills:
    -- Cultivating strong relationships at all levels and building motivated and productive teams
    -- Strategic business planning focusing on technology operations, budgets, and revenue impact

    - Focus areas: cyber security, enterprise resource planning (ERP), secure and efficient IT operations, and business continuity / disaster recovery.

  • Ed Corno
    Chief Technology Leader
    IBM Corporation

    As a passionate information technology leader, Ed Corno’s abilities are unique, offering a combination of industry, technical knowledge and innovative creativity. Mr. Corno’s accomplishments in business and information technology have enable Fortune 500 companies such as IBM, HP and smaller organizations thrive and succeed in an ever-changing competitive marketplace.

    He approaches information technology from a comprehensive background in business management, working and consulting across numerous verticals for the following industries: manufacturing, consumer products, government, distribution, healthcare, agriculture, venture capital, and financial services. Mr. Corno has expertise in a variety of technologies such as Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud computing, 3D printing, as well as traditional technical business solutions.

    Throughout Mr. Corno’s 20-plus year career, he has served as Chief Technology Leader for IBM, Chief Technologist in the Office of CIO for HP and EDS, and Principal for CapGemini Ernst & Young. During this time, he has gained experience in technology strategy, innovation, business development, management consulting and C-level advisory capabilities.

  • Michael Downs
    CTO
    Evolving Solutions

    Michael joined Evolving Solutions in 2014 to develop solutions for our clients across hardware and software, both on and off premise. For more than 20 years, he has created architecture—including hybrid cloud, high performance computing, integration, automation, and end user computing—to solve complex business problems. His broad technology, business, and industry experience provides valuable perspective to our clients working to implement innovative technologies that support their success.

    As chief technology officer, Michael leads our team of experts focused on helping clients solve their most challenging problems. He is constantly evaluating emerging technologies and sharing that information with Evolving Solutions’ technical teams so they can better help clients address their business challenges.

  • Eric Druker
    Data Science Director - Central Integrity
    Meta

  • Jesse Ghere
    VP of Data Analytics and Automotion
    Emerson

    Jesse Ghere is responsible for overseeing Emerson’s global data center, cloud and Oracle database technology. His current role consists of managing the Infrastructure and Operations organization and ensuring the delivery of world-class hosting services to Emerson’s internal business groups. Jesse joined Emerson in 2009, as the Windows Technology Platform Manager, where he led a team tasked with supporting the buildout and migration into a newly built Global Data Center. Upon successfully completing the project Jesse transitioned into managing the UNIX/Linux platform team.  His team embarked on a major project of migrating Emerson’s Oracle database platform from Sun Solaris to Dell/Red Hat Linux infrastructure.  This project consisted of migrating more than 250 databases to new architecture that delivered tremendous business benefit.  Jesse was promoted to Director of Global Data Center Operations where he was responsible for all the data center technology, which included everything from strategy to day-to-day operations. In 2015, Jesse was promoted to Vice President of Infrastructure and Operations for Emerson Corporate.

    In 2000, Jesse graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelors in Business Administration with majors in Management of Information Systems and Marketing. He was also played defensive back for the Iowa football team from 1995 to 1999.  In 2006, Jesse graduated from St. Louis University with a Masters of Business Administration.  Recently, Jesse joined the University of Missouri - St. Louis’s business school IS Advisory Board.

  • Luis Giraldo
    RVP, Business Value Consulting
    OutSystems

    20+ years of success spearheading business and technology solutions that accelerate digital transformation helping grow market share and improve customer retention strategies. Proven executive leader driving double-digit revenue growth through strategic implementation of change strategies while improving operational effectiveness.

    Successful global value consultant selling to C-suite executives on CX transformation, process automation and legacy modernization initiatives and best practices to increase revenue, efficiencies and risk mitigation while accelerating digital solutions to market for customers.

    Expert at cultivating relationships with Fortune 100/500 companies and collaborating with key enterprise stakeholders, both internally and externally, to translate business case imperatives into technology requirements and develop strategies that drive quantifiable results.

    Core Strengths and Competencies:

    Strong Work Ethic & Integrity
    Innovator & Trusted Customer Advisor
    GTM Strategy and Operations: Enterprise and Product-led Engine Growth
    Revenue Generator & Accelerator
    Cross-functional E2E Enterprise Value Selling Optimization
    Strategic Global Business Partner across Direct/Indirect Routes to Market
    Value Messaging, Prescriptive Sales Plays and Customer Success Stories
    Solution Advisory Workshop Design, Business Model Creation, Analysis & Presentation Delivery

  • Emily Hemingway
    Executive Director
    TechSTL

  • Peter Hogan
    SVP of Information Technology
    Compana Pet Brands

  • Jennifer Hopper
    CIO
    Save A Lot

  • David Karandish
    Founder & CEO
    Capacity

    David Karandish is Founder & CEO of Capacity – an enterprise SaaS company headquartered in St. Louis, MO. Capacity’s secure, AI-native support automation platform deflects emails, calls, and auto-resolves tickets so teams have more capacity to do their best work.

    Prior to starting Capacity, David was the CEO of Answers Corp. He and his business partner Chris Sims started the parent company of Answers in 2006 and sold it to a private equity firm in 2014 for north of $900m.

    David sits on the boards of Varsity Tutors (an on-demand, real-time learning platform in the ed tech space), Create a Loop (a computer science education non-profit tackling the digital divide by teaching kids to code), and Prepare.ai (a non-profit providing educational resources and strategic guidance about Artificial Intelligence to individuals, communities, and companies).

    David lives in St. Louis with his wife, Erin and four kids. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his family and playing ukulele.

  • Ben Kesler
    Executive Director
    NPower Missouri

    Ben Kesler is the Executive Director of NPower Missouri based in the St. Louis metro region, proudly serving more than 400 alumni.

    Ben has 15 years of experience in the higher education and nonprofit space, with the last 7 years focused on workforce development. Prior to being named the Interim Executive Director, Ben served as both the Program and Placement Director at NPower Missouri – where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Tech Fundamental program, while simultaneously providing the strategic framework for internship, apprenticeship, and full-time hire success for their numerous alumni. Ben is committed to providing access to high-wage careers for all learners from all socioeconomic backgrounds and creating opportunities for those from non-traditional education paths. In addition to his bachelor’s degree, Ben earned a graduate certificate from the Harry S. Truman School of Public Affairs, University of Missouri in Nonprofit Management.

    Before joining NPower, Ben was the Director of Career Services at recording artist, Nelly’s music production school (EI by Nelly) in downtown St. Louis. Ben has a record of success in the music industry, himself, working with ten GRAMMY-winning artists in the roles of either audio engineer or guitarist. He is also a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (GRAMMYs) and an adjunct professor at Webster University School of Communication’s audio department. Additionally, he is a board member for the St. Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective and an advisory board member for Maryville University’s College of Computer Sciences.

    Ben resides in St. Louis with his wife and two children. You can find him around town eating at all the best restaurants and watching his kids participate in soccer and competitive dance.

  • Emily Lohse-Busch
    Strategic Advisor
    Greater St. Louis, Inc.

    Emily Lohse-Busch is committed to strengthening the greater St. Louis region by helping to build and sustain a thriving economy and culture that benefits all St. Louisans.

    She has spent much of her career studying and advising the philanthropic and social sectors, and is passionate about helping to strategize and create connections between philanthropists and nonprofit organizations that measurably and meaningfully improve the human condition.

  • Kimberly Martin
    Executive Vice President, Business Operations and Automation
    Mastercard

  • Matthew Modica
    Vice President, Chief Information Security Officer
    BJC Healthcare

    As vice president and chief information security officer for BJC HealthCare, Matthew Modica is responsible for the strategic direction, planning and implementation of enterprise IT systems, business operation and facility defenses against security breaches and vulnerability issues. He has the responsibility for establishing, meeting and continuously monitoring the information security goals and objectives, while maintaining alignment with the strategic goals and priorities for BJC. BJC HealthCare is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health care organizations with $5.3 billion in net revenues and more than 31,000 employees in the greater St. Louis, southern Illinois and mid-Missouri regions. Its teaching hospitals, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, are affiliated with internationally renowned Washington University School of Medicine. Modica has a long-tenured career in the information security field at multiple Fortune 1000 companies in the financial services, health care and data services industries. Modica holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from Southeast Missouri State University and is currently attending Webster University’s MBA program. He is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Modica is passionate about preparing the next generation to serve in cybersecurity and STEM-related roles. He serves on the St. Louis CISO board and cybersecurity advisory committees for Southeast Missouri State University, Webster University, Washington University, SecureWorld St. Louis and the Evanta CXO Summit. Additionally, Modica sits on the Autism Speaks STL golf committee whose mission is to raise funds to support research and services for those on the autism spectrum.

  • Hunter Muller
    Founder & CEO
    HMG Strategy

    Hunter Muller is a charismatic industry pioneer and a modern-day Renaissance Man. As a global C-suite advisor and coach for the past 30 years, Hunter’s insights and concepts have been successfully applied by Fortune 1000 organizations worldwide to accelerate executive performance, propel the career ascent of C-level executives, and to drive transformative innovation and create new waves of value.

    Hunter is the Founder and CEO of HMG Strategy, LLC, the largest independent, objective, transparent and collaborative executive network in the world. HMG focuses on innovation and breakthrough strategies for core, parallel and new markets while studying the most successful organizations eco-systems and platforms such as Amazon and Microsoft.

    HMG Strategy is the provider of thought leadership and networking events for CIOs, CISOs, and senior technology executives. HMG Strategy offers a unique, integrated model for enabling C-level executives and their companies to draw upon courageous leadership to reimagine, reinvent, and rebuild their business models to attain the genius-level thinking required in today’s dynamic business landscape to achieve competitive advantage in the digital frontier.

    Hunter's passion for the role of the technology executive in transforming the business is reflected in the 7 Pillars of Trust which embody HMG Strategy's unique business model.

    Complementing HMG Strategy’s world-renowned events is HMGNextVentures, a venture capital accelerator aimed at helping connect CIOs with the most innovative technology companies and entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley to Tel Aviv. HMG Strategy also partners with the world’s leading venture capital firms, including Amplify Partners, Greylock Partners, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Sequoia Capital. HMG Strategy connects CEOs, CIOs, and other C-level executives with startup technologies backed by the leading VCs to identify opportunities for innovation and business transformation.

    Meanwhile, HMG Strategy’s award-winning Research Team advises the world’s technology companies such as Adobe, Nutanix, and Workday on branding, messaging, and Voice of the Customer strategies.

    Hunter has published five that draw from his extensive business experience: The Transformational CIO (Wiley, March 2011), On Top of the Cloud (Wiley, January 2012), Leading the Epic Revolution (Wiley, September 2013) and The Big Shift in IT Leadership (Wiley, July 2015) and The CEO of Technology (Wiley, January 2018). Hunter is now working on his sixth book: 'Enterprise 2025', which is slated to be published in January 2020. As a result, Hunter’s unique position of knowing the thoughts, challenges, and opportunities of the IT Leader, he is asked to speak at a variety of venues such as IBM’s Cloud Expo and on TheStreet.com.

    Hunter and HMG Strategy support a variety of charitable causes, including the American Cancer Society, Save the Children, and Year Up, and Hunter personally gives back his time and ideas as a member of the Executive Committee of the Fairfield/Westchester Chapter of the Society for Information Management.

    An intrepid international athlete, Hunter is an ardent yacht racer, a world-class skier, and an extreme fitness guru. Hunter is passionate about ocean and mountain adventures and spending time with his sons, Chase and Brice.

    Hunter earned a Bachelor of Science in the Babson College School of Management.

  • Lisa Nichols
    CEO
    Technology Partners

    Lisa Nichols is the CEO and co-founder of Technology Partners, a Women-Business Enterprise and provider of premier IT staffing, solutions and software. Lisa and her husband Greg founded Technology Partners in 1994 driven by their passion to revolutionize the staffing industry with their transparent business model. They co-lead the business today. Greg and Lisa have made it their priority from day one, to create mutual wins for their employees, clients and the communities in which Technology Partners operates. This has, in large part, led to Technology Partners winning the Top Workplaces 2018 for Work/Life Flexibility.

    Technology Partners’ 360 Degree IT services include: Scalable Workforces, IT Staffing, Custom Mobile and Web Applications, Managed IT Services, Cloud Productivity, Marketing Technology, Digital Media and Design, Data Analytics, Digital Transformation, Business Process Management, Enterprise Resource Planning, and Helpdesk Support.

    Lisa devotes her time to many professional and philanthropic organizations including CEO Forum, as well as YPO Christian Fellowship network, the St. Louis Independence Center, YWCA and United Way.

    Lisa’s most recent project is her all new podcast, “Something Extra” produced by Technology Partners. She interviews leaders from around the world and across the for profit and non-profit spaces. Each episode explores the guest’s journey and what they believe is the “something extra” every true leader possesses that define them.

  • Lamont Orange
    CISO
    Netskope

    Lamont has more than 20 years of experience in the information security industry, having previously served as vice president of enterprise security for Charter Communications (now Spectrum) and as senior manager for the security and technology services practice at Ernst & Young. Prior to joining Netskope, Lamont was CISO for Vista Equity Partners/Vista Consulting Group. He was responsible for managing the cybersecurity programs and development of cybersecurity talent within the Vista portfolio, which included more than 50 companies. Prior to Vista, Lamont was Information Security Officer for Websense. In that role, he was responsible for developing, maintaining and socializing the company’s internal security program.  He was also responsible for working with current and potential customers demonstrating security of the solutions and the connection to the overall security ecosystem.

  • Ryan Robson
    Principal, Digital Product Management
    Edward Jones

  • Teresa Sanzottera
    Vice President IT
    Barry-Wehmiller

    Teresa Sanzottera is a senior Information Technology executive with over 25 years’ experience leading technology across multiple industries.   Her career reflects a demonstrated track record leading successful IT transformations, optimizing IT processes, and executing various M&A transactions worth over $13B.  She brings deep knowledge and experience in IT strategy, governance, operations, controls, risk management, cybersecurity, and advanced technologies.

    Ms. Sanzottera is currently Vice President, IT at Barry-Wehmiller.   She also serves as an Advisory Board member of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) start up.   Prior to joining Barry-Wehmiller, she was Vice President and CIO for a global specialty generics company where she was a member of the executive leadership team and Operating, Compliance, and Enterprise Risk Management committees and chaired the Information Technology committee.

    She holds a bachelor’s degree from Webster University in International Studies, a Master of Business Administration from Maryville University and Executive Certificates in Strategy and Innovation and Leadership from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  

  • Michael Seals
    SVP, Business Strategy and Chief Information Officer
    Hussmann Corporation

    Michael Seals is Senior Vice President Business Strategy and Chief Information Officer for Hussmann Corporation.  He was appointed as the company’s CIO in 2016 and expanded his role to include business strategy, corporate development and market research in 2019.  He joined Hussmann in 2012 as the Director, Strategy and Business Development. 

    Michael’s professional passion resides within the intersection of strategy and technology.  His career has focused on these previously separate business disciplines.  More recently, he has seen the convergence of these topics into what is now commonly referred to digital transformation. 

    Prior to joining Hussmann, Michael was part of two multi-national beverage companies, PepsiCo and Anheuser-Busch, in roles spanning information technology, strategic planning and corporate development.  He earned his master’s in business administration from St. Louis University and is currently working toward a doctorate degree at the University of Missouri – St. Louis.  His research focuses is on the digital transformation of incumbent companies and the use of strategic investments to accelerate digital capabilities.

    About Hussmann: For over a century, Hussmann has proudly served the food retailing industry with the most customer-focused solutions and innovations. We continuously provide the most-customer focused solutions, including expertise in merchandising, energy efficiency and sustainability, food quality and integrity, refrigeration, design and engineering, service and installation, and retail performance.  We are passionate about helping our customers work better and smarter. With our years of experience, proven track record and an eye towards the future, we bring a unique perspective to food retail, recognizing opportunities and capitalizing on industry trends. Our commitment to delivering superior value and measurable results drives our business performance and, ultimately, our customers.  Hussmann became part of the Panasonic family in 2016.

  • Tushar Shelar
    CIO
    Murphy Company

    Tushar Shelar is CIO at Murphy Company, a leading mechanical contractor delivering innovative solutions to the commercial, industrial and institutional markets in St. Louis & Denver areas. Tushar joined Murphy in 2016 and was tasked to increase their digital and technology foot print across various business processes and to lay an operational model for solution delivery.  Prior to his current role, Tushar was with Allergen Plc for 13 years (formerly Actavis Plc, Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc.) in various technology and leadership roles where he was part of the digital transformation team with extensive work in Divestitures/Acquisitions & Mergers.

    Tushar graduated from Webster University with MS, Computer Science and also holds a Bachelor’s  in Accounting from the University of Mumbai.

  • Mark Sparks
    VP, Global Head of Digital Product and Engineering
    Bayer Crop Science

    Mark Sparks serves as Vice President, Global Head of Product Platforms for Bayer Crop Science IT.  In his role, Mark oversees the development, acquisition and implementation of technologies that deliver business outcomes and speed innovation across the company's Research & Development, Product Supply and Commercial Operations functions.

    Mark and his team collaborate closely with the data assets, decision science, digital transformation and business function teams to ensure that all technologies connect to and further the strategic priorities of Bayer Crop Science. This includes the delivery of common platforms and products to advance data capture and analysis, prescribe and automate workflows, surface data science insights and create new digital offerings for customers.

    At Bayer, Mark has served in various software engineering and digital product leadership roles including leading the creation and launch of a global IoT platform that delivers insights to improve data from the field to researchers and specialists in real-time across R&D, Product Supply and Market Development, a Transportation Management System that optimizes the delivery of products to customers to save cost while improving sustainability and an API-based B2B exchange that enables reliable and modern connectivity with customers.

    Mark holds a BS degree in Computer Science from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and is the recipient of the 2019 CIO and the CIO Executive Council Ones to Watch Award. Mark resides in St. Louis with his wife and two daughters.

  • Haroon Taqi
    VP, Digital Portfolio, Architecture and Governance
    Ameren

    Haroon is Technology Strategist and Visionary with a passion for transforming customer-facing digital experience and business operations. He has over 25 years experience in both mid-market and Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries. Among his colleagues, he is known for his ability to share enterprise technical vision, champion new digital capabilities, gain consensus, and motivate large complex organizations to deliver critical projects on-time and on-budget. Prior experience includes:

    At TKC Holdings, Inc. (formerly Centric Group LLC), Haroon led digital product development, enterprise applications, architecture and service delivery. He was responsible for the technology strategy for the organization, ranging from point-of-sale systems, kiosks, websites and mobile apps to B2B/B2C solutions and ERP, CRM, HR and supply chain systems. Haroon drove cross-organizational digital initiatives, led the Agile and DevOps transformation and helped create a collaborative IT/business culture. In 2019, his team received the “Digital Edge 50” award from CIO and CIO Executive Council.

    At BioMérieux, Haroon held positions of increasing responsibility before serving as the multinational biotechnology company's Global Senior Director of Enterprise Architecture & Business Planning. During his tenure, Haroon led the development of new digital capabilities for some of the company’s premier product lines and drove numerous initiatives aimed at expanding market share, reducing product development cycle-time, increasing operational efficiency, and modernizing legacy platforms. These efforts earned him the Computerworld “Premier 100 IT Leader” Award in 2011.

    Haroon has a BS and MS in Computer Science from Washington University in St. Louis.

  • Andrew Wilder
    Adjunct Professor
    Washington University

    Andrew Wilder is currently the Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at Hillenbrand.  Prior to this role, he spent 18 years at Nestle where his last role was Regional CISO for Americas, Asia, and Europe.  In addition to being a CISO, Andrew is a Board Member and Adjunct Professor at Washington University’s Information Security Executive Education Program.  He believes that Cybersecurity should offer usable solutions to meet business needs, in order to be a business enabler.  As a leader, he supports the continuous development of his teams while removing roadblocks.”

  • Mike Williams
    CEO & Founder
    Software Design Partners

    Mike Williams is the CEO and Founder of Software Design Partners.  Software Design Partners was established in 2005 with the vision of working effectively and efficiently with clients to exceed their business objectives. SDP’s goal is to collaborate with our clients to develop and implement the best technology solutions. Our model of success and growth is based on our ability to provide innovative, individualized solutions that are within the function, scope, budget and time requirements of each client.

    Mike has over 25 years of experience designing, developing and implementing software solutions for fortune 500 companies to startups. His software architecture and management expertise span vertical markets and industries. Using this experience, he ensures each client fully understands how to leverage technology to their business advantage.

    As CEO and Founder, Mike takes pride in the assembly of the SDP team of industry experts and the continued reputable growth and stability they provide to clients. Mike graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southern Illinois University- Carbondale with degrees in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics. In addition to time with his family, Mike enjoys travel, golf, running and outdoor activities.

  • Erica Wilson
    Vice President, Global Security and Privacy Risk Management
    RGA Reinsurance Company

    Erica Wilson has over 18 years of IT experience, 15 of which are in the field of Cybersecurity. She has worked in various industries including manufacturing, higher education and financial services. Erica currently serves as VP of Cybersecurity and Technology Risk at Cass Information Systems. She has responsibility for all aspects of the company’s Cybersecurity program, including security strategy, policies & procedures, technologies, and training program.  In addition, Erica leads all aspects of technology risk management, including compliance with internal and regulatory controls, as well as the Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery program.

    Prior to joining Cass, Erica worked at Anheuser-Busch (2001 – 2009), followed by Scottrade (2009-2018). While at Scottrade, Erica held multiple positions of increasing responsibility ranging from Manager of Information Security to VP of IT Infrastructure Controls and Risk Management. Similarly, while at Anheuser-Busch, Erica held multiple positions pertaining to information security and data protection. Erica has a passion for STEM education.  Throughout her professional career, she has consistently identified ways to influence and encourage others in the community, specifically generations X and Z, to explore opportunities to work in the fields information technology and cybersecurity. 

    Erica holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration/Information Systems from the John E. Simon School of Business at Maryville University, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Southeast Missouri State University. She also holds various professional certifications which include a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) from the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium ISC(2) and a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) from ISACA. Erica enjoys being an advocate of STEM education particularly to youth in the St. Louis community. Outside of work, she loves to travel and spend time with her husband, Aaron and daughter, Avery.

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2022 St. Louis CIO Executive Leadership Summit

 

8:00 - 9:00 AM

Breakfast and Networking

9:00 - 9:15 AM

Welcome and Introduction

Hunter Muller, Founder and CEO, HMG Strategy

Lisa Nichols, CEO, Technology Partners

Jennifer Hopper, CIO, Save A Lot

Gary VonderHaar, EVP, Operations & Technology Processing, Mastercard

9:15 - 9:25 AM

DIGITAL INTERVIEW:  The New Leadership Paradigm: Why Tech Executives Must Shift from a ‘Command-and-Control’ Model to ‘Trust and Inspire’ to Win the Global War for Talent and in the Marketplace

Stephen M. R. Covey, best-selling author interviewed by Hunter Muller, Founder and CEO, HMG Strategy

The world has changed dramatically since March 2020 and so, too, have organizational cultures. The shift to a work-from-home environment has empowered employees who want to dictate how, when and where they work. Moreover, in a flat-screen meeting environment where all participants are viewed as equals, employees don’t want to follow orders – they want to be part of the brain-trust that helps to solve critical business and customer challenges and to influence the strategic trajectory of the company.

In this compelling Executive Interview with HMG Strategy President and CEO Hunter Muller, Stephen M.R. Covey, best-selling author of The Speed of Trust and his forthcoming book Trust and Inspire, shares why a ‘Command-and-Control’ leadership style no longer works and how a ‘Trust and Inspire’ leadership approach can encourage employees to be more collaborative and creative and to maximize their potential. Covey, who is the Co-Founder of CoveyLink and the FranklinCovey Global Speed of Trust Practice, also frames “the two epic imperatives of our time” to help guide leaders on creating a thriving culture that can help attract, grow, retain, engage and inspire the best people in the global war for talent and to successfully collaborate and innovate in order for companies to win in the marketplace.

9:25 - 10:00 AM

EXECUTIVE PANEL:  Leading Boldly and Authentically – Inspiring Trust and Winning in Turbulent Times

Moderator: Gary VonderHaar, EVP, Operations & Technology Processing, Mastercard

Christy Barker, VP & CIO, Olin Corporation

Eric Druker, Data Science Director | Integrity Foundation, Meta

Peter Hogan, VP IT, Vi-Jon

Teresa Sanzottera, Vice President and CIO, Specialty Generics, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals

The War in Ukraine, The Great Resignation, Global Supply-Chain Challenges and Energy Constraints. These are just a few of the unprecedented disruptions that are impacting members of the senior leadership team and their strategic focus. These events, on top of the digital pivot most companies have made since March 2020, have created new opportunities for CIOs, CISOs, and business technology executives to play a deeper role in designing the future of the business and in the shape of the organization. Technology leaders and other executives are placing heightened focus on fostering Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEI &B) across the organization so that all voices are being heard and to bring a variety of perspectives into innovation. This is a critical time for technology executives to demonstrate bold, authentic and inclusive leadership to help inspire employees and foster an environment of trust.

10:00 - 10:25 AM

Coffee Break, Networking and Meet Our Partners

10:25 - 10:45 AM

EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW:  Implementing The Leadership Challenge® Model for Global Business Success

Kimberly Martin, Executive Vice President, Business Operations and Automation, Mastercard and Andrea Butcher, CEO, HRD* interviewed by Jennifer Hopper, CIO, Save A Lot

Mastercard's Global Business function sought to align its vision and equip tech executives to lead with a people-first mindset. To do so, they partnered with HRD*, a leadership development company, who facilitated a 6-month, virtual development program using The Leadership Challenge® Model for 101 global leaders in New York, St. Louis, Australia, UK, Dublin, Poland, Pune & Vadodara.

During this Executive Interview, Kimberly and Andrea will share their perspectives on the process, learnings and outcomes of this pilot program and how Mastercard tech execs have adapted their leadership styles to help galvanize their teams around a shared vision and drive successful business outcomes.

10:45 - 11:10 AM

Coffee Break, Networking and Meet Our Partners

11:10 - 11:40 AM

EXECUTIVE PANEL:  Accelerating Your Winning IT Strategy with World Class Technologies and Partnerships

Moderator:  Hunter Muller, Founder and CEO, HMG Strategy

Michael Downs, Chief Technology Officer, Evolving Solutions

Jesse Ghere, VP of Data Analytics and Automotion, Emerson

Luis Giraldo, RVP, Business Value Consulting, OutSystems

Ryan Robson, Principal, Digital Product Management, Edward Jones

Advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, application development tools and modern development platforms can enable business technology leaders to identify potential use cases and make a meaningful impact on the business. These and other technologies can help better safeguard enterprises against cyber threats, create digital experiences that improve an organization's operational efficiency, increase revenue, and reduce technical debt. This panel of executives will share use cases for leveraging advanced technologies and partnerships that are enabling competitive differentiation and speed to market.

11:40 AM - 12:00 PM

EXECUTIVE FIRESIDE CHAT:  Defining a Modern Enterprise Security Strategy

Lamont Orange, Chief Information Security Officer, Netskope interviewed by Hunter Muller, Founder and CEO, HMG Strategy

A modern security program must align with the modern business environment – focused on zero trust principles, addressing overarching enterprise risks, progressing beyond basic allow/block decisions and continuously evaluating the context surrounding each interaction – by offering and adapting the right level of access at just the right time. Service Edge (SSE) is the security stack that helps deliver the promise of cloud and digital transformation.

In this Executive Interview, we’ll explore how Security Service Edge is the next evolution of cloud security and a critical component for delivering an agile and cost effective zero trust strategy to your organization. SSE converges legacy point security capabilities into a unified cloud platform that provides secure access to applications and data everywhere, consistently for every location, device, user and delivery model.

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Lunch and Networking

NPower Briefing:  The Case for Hiring Non-traditional Talent - Ben Kesler, Executive Director, NPower Missouri
2023 HMG Global Leadership Institute Award Nominations

 

Bhavani Amirthalingam, SVP, Chief Digital & Information Officer, Ameren

Jennifer Hopper, CIO, Save-A-Lot

Lisa, Nichols, CEO, Technology Partners

Gary VonderHaar, EVP, Operations & Technology Processing, Mastercard

Past Honorees Include:

Bhavani Amirthalingam, SVP, CDIO, Ameren Corp.

Peter Hogan, VP IT, Vi-Jon

Matthew Modica, VP & CISO, BJC Healthcare

Greg Nichols, President, COO, Technology Partners

Lisa Nichols, CEO, Technology Partners

Dr. Nalini Polavarapu, Head of Data Science - Customer Centricity, Bayer Crop Science

1:00 - 1:30 PM

EXECUTIVE PANEL: Safeguarding the Enterprise Against Escalating Global Cyber Threats

Moderator:  Andrew Wilder, Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer, Hillenbrand

Jennifer Buckner, Senior Vice President, Technology Risk Management, Risk Governance and Operations, Mastercard

Michael Brown, Field CISO, Financial Services, Fortinet

Matthew Modica, Vice President, Chief Information Security Officer, BJC Healthcare

Roftiel Constantine, Global CISO, Barry-Wehmiller

Ransomware attacks are up a whopping 500% in 2021. Meanwhile, the nature of recent attacks including Log4j continue to become more widespread as these threats are impacting infrastructure, supply chains and other operations that can impact multiple organizations at once. As these and other types of threats continue to evolve and become more dangerous and complex, it’s clear that CISOs and security leaders need to reimagine their cybersecurity strategies to better safeguard the organization now and into the future.

1:30 - 1:45 PM

EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW:  Journey to the Boardroom - Discovering Your Pathway Table

Bhavani Amirthalingam, SVP, CDIO, Ameren Corp. interviewed by Hunter Muller, Founder and CEO, HMG Strategy

A career CIO in energy companies and now Chief Information Digital Officer at Ameren, Bhavani Amirthalingam also leads the digital and cyber committees at Ameren and must report into the board six times a year. She wanted to eventually join a board herself, where she would align to her passion, add the most value and impact, and continue to learn.

In this candid discussion, Bhavani will share her personal journey of becoming a board member and the key factors that helped her choose the one that was the very best fit for her. 

1:45 - 2:10 PM

Coffee Break, Networking and Meet Our Partners

2:10 - 2:40 PM

EXECUTIVE PANEL:  Acting as a Talent Magnet to Attract and Retain the Best and the Brightest

Moderator:  Mike Williams, Founder and CEO, Software Design Partners

Haroon Taqi, Vice President, Digital Portfolio, Architecture, and Governance, Ameren

Tushar Shelar, CIO, Murphy Company

Mark Sparks, VP, Global Head of Digital Product and Engineering, Bayer Crop Science

Erica Wilson, Vice President, Global Security and Privacy Risk Management, RGA Reinsurance Company

As the global war for talent continues to escalate, savvy CIOs and technology executives position their leadership styles to help attract and retain the skills and resources needed to move the 21st-century enterprise forward. This includes demonstrating authentic and inclusive approaches to solving critical challenges together and listening and responding thoughtfully to the needs and interests of employees.

In this executive panel discussion, top-tier CIOs, technology leaders and search executives share their recommendations for tech executives to strengthen their leadership acumen and promote their personal brands to retain and attract world-class business technology talent.

2:40 - 2:50 PM

Transition Break

2:50 - 3:20 PM

EXECUTIVE PANEL:  Megatrends and Emerging Technologies

Moderator:  Peter Hogan, VP IT, Vi-Jon

Palash Bera, Ph.D., Chair; Father Davis Professor, Department of Operations and IT Management, Saint Louis University

Ed Corno, Chief Technology Leader, IBM

David Karandish, Founder and CEO, Capacity

Michael Seals, SVP, Business Strategy and Chief Information Officer, Hussmann Corporation

Enterprise technology leaders are expected to navigate the ever-changing technology landscape and to leverage emerging technologies that can deliver operational and business impact. This includes identifying and executing on real-world use cases for artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, blockchain and supply-chain technologies.

This executive panel of world-class technology leaders and industry executives will share the technology megatrends that are evolving and examples of use cases for emerging technologies that they are applying to the business and operations.

3:20 - 3:50 PM

EXECUTIVE DISCUSSION:  What's Right With Our Region - An Update on the Growth of the Technology Sector in Greater St. Louis

Moderator:  Lisa Nichols, CEO, Technology Partners

Dedric Carter, Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Chief Commercialization Officer, Washington University St. Louis

Emily Hemingway, Executive Director, TechSTL

Emily Lohse-Busch, Strategic Advisor, Greater St. Louis, Inc.

3:50 - 4:00 PM - Raffle Prizes and Closing Remark


Presenting Partners

  • Netskope

    Netskope, a global cybersecurity leader, is redefining cloud, data, and network security to help organizations apply zero trust principles to protect data. Fast and easy to use, the Netskope platform provides optimized access and zero trust security for people, devices, and data anywhere they go. Netskope helps customers reduce risk, accelerate performance, and get unrivaled visibility into any cloud, web, and private application activity. Thousands of customers, including more than 25 of the Fortune 100, trust Netskope and its powerful NewEdge network to address evolving threats, new risks, technology shifts, organizational and network changes, and new regulatory requirements. Learn how Netskope helps customers be ready for anything on their SASE journey.

    https://www.netskope.com/

Platinum Partners

  • Evolving Solutions

    Evolving Solutions is a technology solutions provider that helps clients modernize and automate their mission-critical applications and infrastructure to support business transformation. Our business is client-centric consulting and delivery of technical solutions to enable modern operations in a hybrid cloud world. And, our deep partner relationships, that help us deliver exceptional results to meet our clients’ technology needs.

    www.evolvingsol.com
  • Fortinet

    Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) makes possible a digital world that we can always trust through its mission to protect people, devices, and data everywhere. This is why the world’s largest enterprises, service providers, and government organizations choose Fortinet to securely accelerate their digital journey. The Fortinet Security Fabric platform delivers broad, integrated, and automated protections across the entire digital attack surface, securing critical devices, data, applications, and connections from the data center to the cloud to the home office. Ranking #1 in the most security appliances shipped worldwide, more than 565,000 customers trust Fortinet to protect their businesses. And the Fortinet NSE Training Institute, an initiative of Fortinet’s Training Advancement Agenda (TAA), provides one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry to make cyber training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, or FortiGuard Labs.

    https://www.fortinet.com/
  • OutSystems

    OutSystems is a global leader in high-performance application development. We partner with visionaries to turn their big ideas into software that moves business, people, and the world forward. The OutSystems high-performance low-code platform gives technology leaders and developers the tools they need to rapidly build, deploy and manage their own business-critical applications. The company’s network spans more than 600,000 community members, 400+ partners, and active customers in 87 countries across 22 industries. OutSystems is “The #1 Low-Code Platform®” and a recognized leader by analysts, IT executives, business leaders, and developers around the world.

    https://www.outsystems.com/

Gold Partners

  • Moveworks

    Moveworks is a cloud-based AI platform, purpose-built for large enterprises, that solves one, big, frustrating problem: Resolving employees’ IT support issues. Instead of tracking issues, Moveworks uses advanced AI to solve them, instantly and automatically - with no human intervention. Moveworks is pre-trained to understand IT support issues, so it delivers right away and continues to get smarter with every interaction. Moveworks enables IT teams at companies like Broadcom, Autodesk, Nutanix, Medallia and Western Digital to deliver a radically better employee experience using machine learning and AI.

    https://www.moveworks.ai/
  • The Judge Group

    The Judge Group is a global managed services firm specializing in technology, consulting, learning, and talent solutions. With a network of over 11,000 professionals in over thirty locations worldwide, Judge assures that businesses can compete in a changing marketplace through Agile and DevOps services, network infrastructure solutions, and utilization of disruptive technologies such as AI and machine learning, cloud, big data, and cybersecurity solutions.

    www.judge.com
  • Tanium

    Tanium, the industry’s only provider of converged endpoint management (XEM), protects every team, endpoint, and workflow from cyber threats by integrating IT, Compliance, Security, and Risk into a single platform that delivers comprehensive visibility across devices, a unified set of controls, and a common taxonomy for a single shared purpose: to protect critical information and infrastructure at scale. State and local governments, educational institutions, federal civilian agencies and the U.S. armed forces trust Tanium to protect people; defend data; secure systems; and see and control every endpoint, team, and workflow everywhere. That’s the power of certainty.

    https://www.tanium.com/

Supporting Partners

  • Reliaquest

    ReliaQuest, the leader in Open XDR-as-a-Service, is the force multiplier for security operations teams. ReliaQuest GreyMatter is a cloud-native Open XDR platform that brings together telemetry from any security and business solution, whether on-premises, or in one or multiple clouds, to unify detection, investigation, response and resilience. ReliaQuest combines the power of technology and 24/7/365 security expertise to give organizations the visibility and coverage they require to make cybersecurity programs more effective. Hundreds of Fortune 1000 organizations trust ReliaQuest GreyMatter to operationalize security investments, ensuring teams focus on the right problems while closing visibility and capability gaps to proactively manage risk and accelerate initiatives for the business. ReliaQuest is a private company headquartered in Tampa, Fla., with multiple global locations. For more information, visit www.reliaquest.com.

    https://www.reliaquest.com/
  • ServiceNow

    ServiceNow's cloud platform delivers a faster, smarter & more automated experience. Create experiences that engage employees and drive fierce customer loyalty.

    https://www.servicenow.com/

Marketplace Partners

  • 8x8, Inc.

    8x8 is transforming the future of business communications with XCaaS™ (eXperience Communications as a Service™). 8x8 XCaaS is the only integrated platform for contact center, voice, video meetings, team chat, and CPaaS embeddable APIs. Unlike multi-vendor environments, 8x8 XCaaS provides platform-wide reliability, lowers costs, boosts employee productivity and customer engagement, and delivers intelligence through AI-powered experiences and insights. More than 2.5 million people around the world rely on 8x8 to collaborate quicker, work smarter, and serve customers better with real-time analytics across every interaction. For organizations relying on Microsoft Teams for collaboration, 8x8 offers its 8x8 Voice for Microsoft Teams direct routing solution and 8x8 Contact Center for Microsoft Teams which is certified by Microsoft. 8x8 Voice for Microsoft Teams provides advanced telephony and contact center capabilities to further empower Microsoft Teams users. Today, more than 150,000 users rely on 8x8 for advanced communications for Teams. 8x8 is a ten-time Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), Worldwide and seven-time Challenger in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS).

    https://www.8x8.com/
  • Akamai

    Akamai secures and delivers digital experiences for the world’s largest companies. Akamai’s intelligent edge platform surrounds everything, from the enterprise to the cloud, so customers and their businesses can be fast, smart, and secure. Top brands globally rely on Akamai to help them realize competitive advantage through agile solutions that extend the power of their multicloud architectures. Akamai keeps decisions, apps, and experiences closer to users than anyone — and attacks and threats far away. Akamai’s portfolio of edge security, web and mobile performance, enterprise access, and video delivery solutions is supported by unmatched customer service, analytics, and 24/7/365 monitoring.

    https://www.akamai.com
  • BetterCloud

    BetterCloud is the leading SaaS Management Platform (SMP) that enables IT professionals to discover, manage and secure the growing stack of SaaS applications in the digital workplace. With an expanding ecosystem of SaaS integrations, thousands of forward thinking organizations like Zoom, Walmart, and Square now rely on BetterCloud to automate processes and policies across their cloud application portfolio. A pioneer of the SaaSOps movement, BetterCloud has built a community of more than 45K IT professionals who are embracing the new role of SaaSOps within IT organizations. The company launched the first-ever annual SaasOps-focused conference, Altitude, and publishes annually the definitive market research report, State of SaaSOps, on the market and category. BetterCloud is headquartered in New York City with offices in San Francisco, CA and Atlanta, GA. The company's total amount raised to date is $187 million. Investors include Warburg Pincus, Accel, Bain Capital Ventures, Flybridge Capital Partners, and Greycroft Partners.

    https://www.bettercloud.com/
  • Darktrace

    Darktrace is the world’s leading cyber AI company and the creator of Autonomous Response technology. Its self-learning AI is modeled on the human immune system and used by over 4,500 organizations to protect against threats to the cloud, email, IoT, networks and industrial systems. The company has over 1,500 employees and headquarters in San Francisco and Cambridge, UK. Every 3 seconds, Darktrace AI fights back against a cyber-threat, preventing it from causing damage.

    https://www.darktrace.com/
  • Fortinet

    Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) makes possible a digital world that we can always trust through its mission to protect people, devices, and data everywhere. This is why the world’s largest enterprises, service providers, and government organizations choose Fortinet to securely accelerate their digital journey. The Fortinet Security Fabric platform delivers broad, integrated, and automated protections across the entire digital attack surface, securing critical devices, data, applications, and connections from the data center to the cloud to the home office. Ranking #1 in the most security appliances shipped worldwide, more than 565,000 customers trust Fortinet to protect their businesses. And the Fortinet NSE Training Institute, an initiative of Fortinet’s Training Advancement Agenda (TAA), provides one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry to make cyber training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, or FortiGuard Labs.

    https://www.fortinet.com/
  • Nutanix

    Nutanix offers a single platform to run all your apps and data across multiple clouds while simplifying operations and reducing complexity. Trusted by companies worldwide, Nutanix powers hybrid multicloud environments efficiently and cost effectively. This enables companies to focus on successful business outcomes and new innovations.

    https://www.nutanix.com
  • Palo Alto Networks

    Palo Alto Networks, the global cybersecurity leader, is shaping the cloud-centric future with technology that is transforming the way people and organizations operate. Our mission is to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life. We help address the world's greatest security challenges with continuous innovation that seizes the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, analytics, automation, and orchestration. By delivering an integrated platform and empowering a growing ecosystem of partners, we are at the forefront of protecting tens of thousands of organizations across clouds, networks, and mobile devices. Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. For more information, visit www.paloaltonetworks.com.

    www.paloaltonetworks.com
  • RingCentral

    RingCentral, Inc. (NYSE: RNG) is a leading provider of business cloud communications and contact center solutions based on its powerful Message Video Phone™ (MVP™) global platform. More flexible and cost effective than legacy on-premises PBX and video conferencing systems that it replaces, RingCentral empowers modern mobile and distributed workforces to communicate, collaborate, and connect via any mode, any device, and any location. RingCentral offers three key products in its portfolio including RingCentral MVP™, a Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) platform including team messaging, video meetings, and cloud phone system; RingCentral Video™,  the company's video meetings solution with team messaging that enables Smart Video Meetings™; and RingCentral cloud Contact Center solutions. RingCentral’s open platform integrates with leading third-party business applications and enables customers to easily customize business workflows. RingCentral is headquartered in Belmont, California, and has offices around the world.

    https://www.ringcentral.com/
  • SafeGuard Cyber

    SafeGuard Cyber protects the human connections businesses need to thrive in a digital world. Our award-winning platform utilizes a unique mix of direct API integration, Natural Language Understanding, advanced policy engines, and deep relationships with cloud-based digital platforms to give you unmatched, real-time monitoring and mitigation on over 50 cloud communication channels. With SafeGuard installed your team can use whatever tools they wish to do what they do best: create value and drive growth.

    https://www.safeguardcyber.com/
  • Tonkean

    Tonkean is the OS for Business Operations, empowering operations teams to rapidly improve efficiency with an enterprise-grade, composable automation platform. By allowing ops teams to automate, monitor, and manage mission-critical business processes with no-code, while still maintaining compliance and security, Tonkean enables enterprises to accelerate operational velocity at scale. The Tonkean platform makes automating complex business processes simple and accessible to non-developers, such as business operations teams and process owners, by abstracting the high technical barrier and coding expertise needed to deliver robust, enterprise-grade process solutions via composability. Ops teams compose custom process solutions using building blocks called “enterprise components” or ECs. ECs are modular, interchangeable, and reusable capabilities that perform actions or complete steps in a business process. ECs are fully governed and curated, typically by IT. They can be adopted from vendors or custom built, or they can simply be extensions of existing tools and systems. This allows ops and process experts to rapidly build holistic process solutions that can work with different systems, easily adapt to changing needs, and measure cross-functional KPIs–all with no-code and no change management. Enterprises like Google, EVERSANA, Instacart, Grubhub, Crypto.com, and more rely on Tonkean to optimize and align their operations across functions—including sales, marketing, customer support, legal, finance, and more. With Tonkean, enterprises can expand the pie of who can deliver software to make a world of Makers.

    https://tonkean.com/
  • Upwork

    Upwork is the world’s largest work marketplace that connects businesses with independent talent from across the globe. We serve everyone from one-person startups to large, Fortune 100 enterprises with a powerful, trust-driven platform that enables companies and talent to work together in new ways that unlock their potential. Our talent community earned over $3.8 billion on Upwork in 2022 across more than 10,000 skills in categories including website & app development, creative & design, customer support, finance & accounting, consulting, and operations.

    https://www.upwork.com/enterprise/
  • Zoom

    Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, conference, huddle, and training rooms, as well as executive offices and classrooms. Founded in 2011, Zoom helps businesses and organizations bring their teams together in a frictionless environment to get more done.

    https://zoom.us
  • Zscaler

    Zscaler, the only zero trust platform that securely connects any user, any device, and any app over any network. Back in the day when your users were all on the network and your applications resided in your physical data center, it made sense to establish a secure perimeter around your network. But those days are over, the perimeter is gone, and network security is all but irrelevant. Instead, you need to put your defenses and controls where the connections occur— the internet — so that every connection is fast and secure, no matter how or where users connect or where their applications reside. By moving applications and infrastructure to the cloud and untethering employees from their desks, you can realize tremendous advantages in productivity, agility, and cost containment. With our 100% cloud built secure platform, Zscaler can help you make the move to the cloud, securely.

    https://www.zscaler.com/
  • LastPass

    • LastPass is an award-winning password manager which helps more than 33 million registered users organize and protect their online lives. For more than 100,000 businesses of all sizes, LastPass provides password and identity management solutions that are convenient, easy to manage, and effortless to use. From enterprise password management and single sign-on to adaptive multi-factor authentication, LastPass for Business gives superior control to IT and frictionless access to users.

    https://www.lastpass.com/
  • Ping Identity

    Ping Identity provides secure and seamless digital experiences for your employees, partners and customers. We do it by securely connecting users to cloud, mobile, and on-premises applications and APIs while managing identity and profile data at scale.

    https://www.pingidentity.com/en/solutions/business-priority/innovate-digital-experiences.html
  • Delphix

    Delphix is the industry leader for DevOps test data management. Businesses need to transform application delivery but struggle to balance speed with data security and compliance. Our DevOps Data Platform automates data security, while rapidly deploying test data to accelerate application releases. With Delphix, customers modernize applications, adopt multi-cloud, achieve CI/CD, and recover from downtime events such as ransomware up to 2x faster. Leading companies, including Choice Hotels, and Fannie Mae, use Delphix to accelerate digital transformation and enable zero trust data management. Visit us at www.delphix.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

    www.delphix.com

Strategic Partners

  • Egon Zehnder

    Egon Zehnder was founded in 1964 with a distinctive vision and structure aimed at achieving two basic goals - to place our clients' interests first and to lead our profession in creating value for our clients through the assessment and recruitment of top-level management resources. The most fundamental expression of our client-first vision resides in our structure, which is unique to our profession. Our 390 consultants, operating from 63 wholly owned offices in 37 countries, are organized around a single-profit center partnership. This is designed to eliminate competitive barriers between our offices. It allows us to operate seamlessly when engagements call for us to mobilize across many offices in a country or a region. Large or small, local or global, our clients benefit from our structure by having access to our most relevant resources and relationships wherever they may reside. Underpinning this unique structure is our private ownership. We have chosen to operate our firm independent of any outside interests and are motivated solely by a desire to exceed our clients' expectations.

    http://www.egonzehnder.com
  • Heidrick & Struggles

    Heidrick & Struggles actively solves business problems for our clients every day. Through our Leadership Advisory framework, we help companies attract, develop and retain the world’s most talented individuals. For almost 60 years, we have focused on quality service and built strong leadership teams through our relationships with clients and individuals worldwide. Today, Heidrick & Struggles leadership experts operate from principal business centers in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

    http://www.heidrick.com
  • Korn Ferry

    At Korn Ferry, we design, build, attract and ignite talent. Since our inception, clients have trusted us to help recruit world-class leadership. Today, we are a single source for leadership and talent consulting services to empower businesses and leaders to reach their goals. Through our vision, research and tools across 80 offices and 3,700 employees, we convert potential into greatness. Our solutions range from executive recruitment and leadership development programs, to enterprise learning, succession planning, and recruitment process outsourcing (RPO). Organizations around the world trust Korn Ferry to manage their talent – a responsibility we meet every day with passion, expertise, integrity and results.

    https://www.kornferry.com
  • Spencer Stuart

    Founded in 1956 and privately owned, Spencer Stuart is one of the world's leading executive search consulting firms. We are the advisor of choice among top companies seeking guidance and counsel on senior leadership needs. We have unrivalled access to leading executives around the world. Our clients range across industries, from the world's largest companies to medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurial start-ups. We operate out of 51 offices in 27 countries. Last year we conducted more than 4,000 assignments around the world. Our team of more than 300 consultants possesses a unique blend of professional search experience and industry expertise. Consultants are organized in practices and work in teams, often across international boundaries that maximize sector specialization and knowledge-sharing. These client service teams are supported by first-rate associates and researchers, and backed by state-of-the-art technology. We place quality at the center of everything we do and solicit candid feedback at every opportunity in order to continually improve our service to clients. We channel our knowledge and expertise into a wide range of publications for the benefit of existing and prospective clients.

    https://www.spencerstuart.com

Alliance Partners

  • Amplify Partners

    Amplify Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm committed to redefining IT infrastructure, invests in technical entrepreneurs pursuing the multi-hundred-billion dollar Infrastructure 2.0 disruption. Amplify helps talented founders build valuable businesses by investing the right amount of early-stage capital and providing active company-building assistance. Amplify offers the unique combination of deep domain expertise, early-stage focus and a network of Venture AmplifiersTM to improve outcomes for infrastructure entrepreneurs.

    http://www.amplifypartners.com
  • Glynn Capital

    Glynn Capital is focused on investments in leading private and public technology growth companies. We seek to be long-term investors in a limited number of excellent companies with world-class management teams, sustainable business models, and long-term growth potential.

    http://www.glynncapital.com/
  • Greylock Partners

    Greylock Partners backs entrepreneurs who are building disruptive, market-transforming consumer and enterprise software companies. We invest in companies that define new markets, including Airbnb, AppDynamics, Cloudera, Docker, Dropbox, Facebook (Nasdaq: FB), LinkedIn (NYSE: LNKD), Medium, Nextdoor, Palo Alto Networks (NYSE: PANW) and Workday (NYSE: WDAY).

    http://www.greylock.com
  • Lightspeed Venture Partners

    Lightspeed Ventures is a global VC firm headquartered in Silicon Valley, with offices in India, Israel, and China. With over $7 billion under management, Lightspeed invests in both enterprise and consumer tech startups from early-stage to late-stage. With over 300 active startups in the portfolio, Lightspeed has invested in companies like Brocade, Informatica, Nutanix, AppDynamics, Mulesoft, zScaler, etc. Lightspeed has also created a CIO Innovation Advisory Network to connect forward-thinking IT leaders with Silicon Valley.

    http://lsvp.com
  • Menlo Ventures

    Menlo Ventures is a venture capital firm that strives to have a positive impact on everything we do. That’s why we support businesses including Betterment, Carta, Roku, Poshmark, Uber, and Warby Parker that are reimagining life and work for the better. Over 43 years, we’ve grown a portfolio that includes more than 70 public companies, over 100 mergers and acquisitions, and $5.5 billion under management. We invest at every stage and in every sector, with expertise in Consumer, Enterprise, and Healthcare. From developing market strategies to creating communities, we provide real impact where entrepreneurs need it most. When we’re in, we’re all in.

    https://www.menlovc.com/
  • Sequoia Capital

    Sequoia is a venture firm with a 40+ year track record of partnering with daring entrepreneurs. Founded in 1972, we’ve been early business partners with many of technology’s biggest companies (Apple, Google, Oracle, Cisco, and more) along with many emerging leaders (WhatsApp, Palo Alto Networks, ServiceNow, FireEye, LinkedIn, Dropbox, Airbnb, etc).

    https://www.sequoiacap.com

Association Partners

  • NPower

    NPower is a high-performing leader in providing pathways to successful tech careers for young adults from underserved communities and veterans across the US and Canada. NPower’s award winning training programs use curriculum informed by senior industry leaders and labor market trends. On average, NPower graduates 80% of enrolled students, places 100% of graduates in paid internships and has over an 80% rate of success for employment or continued education within 6 months of graduation. We address many of the primary barriers that our veteran community confront. Beyond free technical classes, our career training programs provide in-demand certifications within weeks, paid internships, professional networking and mentorship with business leaders, soft skills coaching, connection to social services, job placement assistance, transit assistance and an opportunity for graduates to give back to the program via our professional volunteer network. We provide ongoing career coaching, advanced certifications, and leadership development for our alumni, ensuring that we are developing true pathways for long-term success for our students.

    http://www.npower.org
  • Technology Partners

    Technology Partners is an award-winning, certified Women Business Enterprise that provides premier IT staffing and solutions. With a focus on partnership, we have worked with hundreds of clients across a range of industries nationwide, and held client and consultant relationships that have lasted as long as we've been in business. Built upon a revolutionary transparent-margin business model, Technology Partners provides better value for our clients while giving our consultants higher salaries and career control. We're committed to partnerships with our clients and consultants, assessing their needs and providing them with the absolute best service.

    http://www.technologypartners.net

The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis

100 Carondelet Plaza

Salon2 Ballroom

Room Rate: $289++

Cutoff Date: Tuesday, September 13, 2022

For individual reservations, call 1-800-960-7056 and reference the name of the Event

The CIO Executive Leadership Summit is created for CIOs/IT leaders. It also has strong appeal to leaders interested in better positioning their organizations and themselves for what's ahead in business and to achieve the greatest benefits through the use of information technology. 

To ensure a high quality environment and to maximize the networking experience, all attendees must be:

  • Employed C-Level executives (non-vendor) or equivalent, CIOs, Direct Reports of CIOs, or Senior Most IT Professional in an organization with $200M or greater revenue, or from not-for-profit or government organizations with comparable size

- OR - 

  • Full time academicians

If you meet the criteria above, there is no fee to attend.

All registration requests will be reviewed and approved based upon above stated criteria.

* Sales/marketing individuals or consultants from non-sponsoring vendor organizations are not permitted.

Special Needs - We fully support the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require special assistance of any kind, please call us at (203) 221-2702 or email us at registrar@hmgstrategy.com.



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For more information contact us:

(203) 221-2702
info@hmgstrategy.com

The Strongest Executive Leadership Network

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