IN-PERSON

Denver CIO Executive Summit

November 16, 2021 | Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel

November 16, 2021
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel

Collaborate with your peers

Get together with Denver's top CIOs to tackle shared business challenges and critical priorities facing your role today. Participate in this one-day, local program with peer-driven topics and interactive discussions with your true C-level peers.

Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CIOs today:

Seizing momentum – influencing and leading the enterprise

Thriving through uncertainty - empowering people and delivering value

Advancing and scaling strategic, outcome-based technologies

Denver CIO Governing Body


The Governing Body Co-Chairs shape the summit agenda, ensuring that all content is driven by CIOs, for CIOs.

Governing Body Co-Chairs

Ken Athanasiou

VF
Chief Information Security Officer

Alan Cullop

DaVita
CIO

Chuck Fredrick

National CineMedia
CIO

Randall Frietzsche

Denver Health
CISO

Stephen Katsirubas

Hunter Douglas
Chief Information Officer

Trent Krause

Graebel
CIO

Chris McLaughlin

Johns Manville
Chief Information Security Officer

Jeff Miller

Honeywell Quantum Solutions
Chief Information Officer

Steve Oberg

DaVita
CISO

Craig Richardville

SCL Health
CIO

Purnima Wagle

DCP Midstream
CIO

Alex Wood

Colorado=Security Podcast
Co-Host

What to Expect

Interactive Sessions

Hear from CIO practitioners and thought leaders on how they're solving critical challenges impacting your role today in Keynote sessions, and join smaller, interactive discussions with your peers in Breakout and Boardroom sessions.

Community Networking

Make new connections and catch up with old friends in casual conversations during dedicated time for networking designed to better acquaint you with your Denver CIO community.

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a private, one-on-one setting through Evanta's Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

Agenda


November 15, 2021

November 16, 2021

6:00pm - 8:30pm  Governing Body Welcome Reception

Governing Body Welcome Reception

Exclusive to Governing Body members and select guests, this dinner is a can’t-miss opportunity to connect with your peers prior to tomorrow’s Executive Summit. Please join your colleagues for an evening of good food, wine, and lively networking.

11:25am - 12:40pm  Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Evanta’s Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

11:45am - 1:15pm  Lunch Service

12:40pm - 1:00pm  Break

1:00pm - 1:35pm  Keynote

Creating a Data-Driven Culture at Scale

Mark Schwartz headshot

Mark Schwartz

Enterprise Strategist

Amazon Web Services

For organizations everywhere, data is the gateway to new opportunities. Becoming a data-driven organization means culturally treating data as a strategic asset used for both big decisions and everyday action on the frontline. With the right strategy, organizations can prepare for the unexpected, create new revenue streams, improve customer experience and increase operational efficiencies.

Join this session to share strategies and stories on:

  • Reframing data as the connective tissue of your organization - permeating and fueling collaborative gains across teams.
  • Using actioned insights, analytics and AI/ML as you build capabilities to help drive a data-driven culture
  • Eliminating data blockers, educating the enterprise and enabling frontline action

1:35pm - 1:50pm  Break

7:30am - 8:15am  Registration & Breakfast

8:15am - 9:00am  Keynote

Crushing It As a Leader Without Crushing Your People

Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour headshot

Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour

Founder, Author, America’s First Black Female Combat Pilot

Her call sign is “FlyGirl” – and Vernice Armour’s true calling is larger-than-life engagement. After two Marine tours of duty in Iraq, soaring heroic as America’s first Black female combat pilot, today FlyGirl earns her wings as a devoted mom and breakthrough author. “I’m a hugger,” she’ll announce when you first greet her. But how do we hug – let alone create deeper connections in our lives and careers – in a hyper-sanitized, socially distant world? Join FlyGirl for an inspirational summit launch that will cover:

  • Refusing to empower your obstacles – leveraging adversity as the mother of innovation
  • Embracing diversity and gutsy leadership – forming stronger bonds with your people
  • Taking care of yourself – finding ways to reinvigorate in the moment and re-engage with your mission

9:00am - 9:15am  Break

9:15am - 10:00am  Breakout Session

A Quantum Leap Forward for a Quantum Computing CIO

Jeff Miller headshot

Jeff Miller

Chief Information Officer

Honeywell Quantum Solutions

It was announced in June 2021 that Honeywell Quantum Solutions and Cambridge Quantum Computing would combine to form the largest, most advanced standalone quantum computing company in the world, setting the pace for what is projected to become a $1 trillion quantum computing industry over the next three decades. Since the announcement, Jeff Miller, CIO, Honeywell Quantum Solutions and his team have been at an all-out sprint building an entire IT infrastructure from scratch while navigating a cultural switch to a lean, mean, and cloud-based environment.

Join this session as Jeff shares his insights on:

  • Assessing and aligning your applications footprint with the enterprise’s strategic objectives
  • Navigating change management with cross-cultural complexities
  • Moving from hardware-based culture to software-based environments

9:15am - 10:00am  Executive Boardroom

Taking Data Governance to Data Enablement

Manjusha Gangadharan headshot

Manjusha Gangadharan

Head of Professional Services, Office of the CIO and EVP Storage Services

Seagate Technology

Markus Lonnquist headshot

Markus Lonnquist

CIO

Coffee & Bagel Brands

The diversity and pace of business demand for data and analytics far exceeds the ability to meet it through existing governance capabilities. Initiatives must be connected to business strategy and organizational workflow in order to be successful.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Components of an effective data governance program
  • Successful governance business cases that influence key stakeholders
  • How to establish an end-to-end data governance strategy to meet evolving global requirements

Executive boardrooms are intimate and interactive sessions designed to foster dynamic dialogue around a specific, strategic topic. These private, closed-door discussions encourage attendee participation and are limited to 15 attendees (seating priority is given to C-level executives). To reserve your seat, please contact your event Program Manager.

10:00am - 10:30am  Networking Break

10:30am - 11:15am  Breakout Session

Driving an Agenda that Enables and Transforms Your Business

Diana Chong headshot

Diana Chong

Global Head of Customer Success

Google Chrome Enterprise

Ram Ramadoss headshot

Ram Ramadoss

Senior Vice President, Privacy, Information Security

CommonSpirit

 One of the biggest challenges facing the modern CIO is balance. When it comes to business transformation, the sky is the limit…until you run into budget, time and resource constraints. How can CIOs balance these real limitations while encouraging their teams to dream big and come up with outside the box solutions?

Join this session to discuss:

  • Crafting a technology and cultural transformational strategy
  • Successful frameworks that allow space for a “test fast, learn quick” environment
  • Strategies for enabling and securing a hybrid WFH workforce

10:30am - 11:15am  Breakout Session

Mindful Leadership — Finding Tranquility in Action

Ash Mahajan headshot

Ash Mahajan

Chief Information & Technology Officer

Adams 12 Five Star Schools

The benefits of mindful leadership read like a fantasy wish list ­– better self-awareness, wider emotional intelligence, reduced stress, increased clarity and productivity at work. Leaders who tap into the deeper dimension of life through commitment and practice are more able to bring their authentic selves to work and establish a new paradigm for leadership, talent development and workforce performance that increases engagement, productivity and top-line business results. Building upon leadership principles and emerging research, and sharing his own experiences, Ash Mahajan presents a compelling case for mindful leadership and shares tools and techniques that allow you to invest in the deeper dimension of your life with positive impacts in your work as a technology leader, and in the lives of those you support and love.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Reframing the alignment between your personal well-being and professional accomplishments
  • The scaffolding and structure that can help you make sense of and leverage the vast amount of resources in this space, from apps and books, to training and retreats
  • The continuum of practice and improvement in this space as individuals and as leaders

10:30am - 11:15am  Executive Boardroom

Close the Innovation Gap with Automated Workflows

Pavel Zamudio-Ramirez headshot

Pavel Zamudio-Ramirez

Chief Customer Officer and Senior Vice President, Customer Success

Appian

Benjamin Partout headshot

Benjamin Partout

CIO

Federal White Cement

Purnima Wagle headshot

Purnima Wagle

CIO

DCP Midstream

As CIOs shift focus from survival and recovery to renewal and redesign, processes and structures related to driving innovation, increasing collaboration and shaping culture across the enterprise are being reimagined. Successful IT departments can accelerate agility by automating cross-functional workflows throughout the business to allow the organization to reach new heights.

This boardroom will address strategies for:

  • Fostering a business-first mindset within IT and fueling a culture of innovation and agility
  • Leveraging talent across the business to enable scalable enterprise ready innovation
  • Improving critical business processes with low-code automation platforms to free up valuable resources

Executive boardrooms are intimate and interactive sessions designed to foster dynamic dialogue around a specific, strategic topic. These private, closed-door discussions encourage attendee participation and are limited to 15 attendees (seating priority is given to C-level executives). To reserve your seat, please contact your event Program Manager.

11:15am - 11:25am  Break

1:50pm - 2:35pm  Breakout Session

Playing Through With No Playbook

Ken Athanasiou headshot

Ken Athanasiou

Chief Information Security Officer

VF

Mike Bush headshot

Mike Bush

Senior Director, Information Systems

Colorado Rockies

Russ Trainor headshot

Russ Trainor

VP, IT

Denver Broncos

Jeff Walters headshot

Jeff Walters

Vice President, Outdoor Sportsman Group IT

Kroenke Sports & Entertainment

Long before a jarring pandemic blindside threatened to sack major sports in 2020, technology innovators in the field were busy redefining the game for fans, performers, and players alike. Once the world changed, these leaders had to invent a new game plan on the fly and support a hybrid experience while upholding the promise of connectivity and collaboration. In this interactive panel, learn how the successes and opportunities in the sports and entertainment worlds apply to all technology leaders as they seek the competitive edge.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Navigating security and privacy for the fans, the players, and the organizations
  • Strengthening IT-business alignment to move IT from a cost center to a revenue generator
  • Technology’s game-changing ability to reimagine any field or industry

1:50pm - 2:35pm  Executive Boardroom

Digital Experience — Executing to Win

Jennifer Gunias headshot

Jennifer Gunias

SVP and Global Head of Clinical Systems

GenesisCare

Craig Richardville headshot

Craig Richardville

CIO

SCL Health

Consumer trends speak volumes: Digital experience is the new order – and a winning game plan tracks with increasing digital demands. As the rules of engagement shift, a CIO is well-positioned to guide the organization from digital ambition to execution.

This interactive, peer-driven discussion will cover: 

  • Identifying digital opportunities that drive adoption and customer satisfaction
  • Optimizing digital platforms to build business capabilities
  • Delivering value through deeper external and internal engagement

Executive boardrooms are intimate and interactive sessions designed to foster dynamic dialogue around a specific, strategic topic. These private, closed-door discussions encourage attendee participation and are limited to 15 attendees (seating priority is given to C-level executives). To reserve your seat, please contact your event Program Manager.

2:35pm - 3:05pm  Networking Break

3:05pm - 3:50pm  Breakout Session

Level Up — Diversity in Leadership 2.0

Al Gardner headshot

Al Gardner

Vice President, Information Technology and Security

Inspirato

Diversity, equity and inclusion are top of mind for executives, but how are leaders implementing programs to initiate change? Leaders today are finding inspired pathways to create progressive and inclusive cultures, development opportunities, and collaborative opportunities to drive diversity initiatives. As DE&I programs remain a top priority, how are CIOs & CISOs bringing ideas to reality?

Join this session for a discussion on how to:

  • Leverage a culture of inclusion across the IT function to accelerate innovation and business outcomes
  • Reimagine tactics to hire more diverse talent
  • Create avenues that allow marginalized sections of the workforce to elevate

3:05pm - 3:50pm  Executive Boardroom

Intentional Innovation

Sue Lapierre headshot

Sue Lapierre

VP, Information Security Officer

Prologis

Technology leaders rewrote the innovation playbook in 2020 and pioneered new ways of thinking about how IT partners with employees on developing and supporting technology solutions.  The opportunities of a hybrid and digitally-savvy workforce create an environment ripe for innovation and collaboration to fuel business outcomes.  Now is the time for the CIO and CISO to review their roadmap to ensure the enterprise is empowered with tools, processes, and support to develop solutions and reach new heights. 

Join this session to discuss:

  • Defining successful innovation within the enterprise
  • Transforming operations and empowering employees in developing technology solutions
  • Fostering a culture that allows people to experiment, learn, be curious, and fail

3:50pm - 4:05pm  Break

4:05pm - 4:50pm  Keynote

Live Podcast Recording: Colorado=Security

Robb Reck headshot

Robb Reck

Co-Host

Colorado=Security Podcast

Diego Silva headshot

Diego Silva

Chief Information Officer

Gates

Alex Wood headshot

Alex Wood

Co-Host

Colorado=Security Podcast

Are you ready to be part of a live podcast? This session features Q&A with Alex Wood and Robb Reck as they interview Diego Silva, Chief Information Officer, Gates on reconceptualizing traditional ideas of how to approach security within the enterprise and shifting the business mindset to accelerate digital transformation.

This session will explore:

  • How CIOs and CISOs can better integrate within their organization
  • The unique challenges and opportunities that Colorado leaders face
  • What new advancements Colorado IT and security professionals should be aware of

4:50pm - 5:20pm  Closing Reception & Prize Drawing

6:00pm - 8:30pm  Governing Body Welcome Reception

Governing Body Welcome Reception

Exclusive to Governing Body members and select guests, this dinner is a can’t-miss opportunity to connect with your peers prior to tomorrow’s Executive Summit. Please join your colleagues for an evening of good food, wine, and lively networking.

11:25am - 12:40pm  Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Evanta’s Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

11:45am - 1:15pm  Lunch Service

12:40pm - 1:00pm  Break

1:00pm - 1:35pm  Keynote

Creating a Data-Driven Culture at Scale

Mark Schwartz headshot

Mark Schwartz

Enterprise Strategist

Amazon Web Services

For organizations everywhere, data is the gateway to new opportunities. Becoming a data-driven organization means culturally treating data as a strategic asset used for both big decisions and everyday action on the frontline. With the right strategy, organizations can prepare for the unexpected, create new revenue streams, improve customer experience and increase operational efficiencies.

Join this session to share strategies and stories on:

  • Reframing data as the connective tissue of your organization - permeating and fueling collaborative gains across teams.
  • Using actioned insights, analytics and AI/ML as you build capabilities to help drive a data-driven culture
  • Eliminating data blockers, educating the enterprise and enabling frontline action

1:35pm - 1:50pm  Break

7:30am - 8:15am  Registration & Breakfast

8:15am - 9:00am  Keynote

Crushing It As a Leader Without Crushing Your People

Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour headshot

Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour

Founder, Author, America’s First Black Female Combat Pilot

Her call sign is “FlyGirl” – and Vernice Armour’s true calling is larger-than-life engagement. After two Marine tours of duty in Iraq, soaring heroic as America’s first Black female combat pilot, today FlyGirl earns her wings as a devoted mom and breakthrough author. “I’m a hugger,” she’ll announce when you first greet her. But how do we hug – let alone create deeper connections in our lives and careers – in a hyper-sanitized, socially distant world? Join FlyGirl for an inspirational summit launch that will cover:

  • Refusing to empower your obstacles – leveraging adversity as the mother of innovation
  • Embracing diversity and gutsy leadership – forming stronger bonds with your people
  • Taking care of yourself – finding ways to reinvigorate in the moment and re-engage with your mission

9:00am - 9:15am  Break

9:15am - 10:00am  Breakout Session

Security Automation and SOC Modernization for Cloud Speed

Aidan Walden headshot

Aidan Walden

Global Manager of Public Cloud Architecture & Engineering

Fortinet

Application development is driving the enterprise digital arms race, the acceleration of which sources directly from the benefits that the cloud and software-defined networking has provided. Legacy IT security teams have struggled to incorporate new skills and adapt to the agility required to secure the new, dynamic enterprise application estate, while addressing application security before runtime.

In this session, you will explore:

  • Lifecycle modeling for Cloud and IT security
  • How the security infrastructure can bridge the DevSecOps skill gap
  • Using automation and infrastructure intelligence to reduce security operator fatigue

9:15am - 10:00am  Executive Boardroom

Taking Data Governance to Data Enablement

Manjusha Gangadharan headshot

Manjusha Gangadharan

Head of Professional Services, Office of the CIO and EVP Storage Services

Seagate Technology

Markus Lonnquist headshot

Markus Lonnquist

CIO

Coffee & Bagel Brands

The diversity and pace of business demand for data and analytics far exceeds the ability to meet it through existing governance capabilities. Initiatives must be connected to business strategy and organizational workflow in order to be successful.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Components of an effective data governance program
  • Successful governance business cases that influence key stakeholders
  • How to establish an end-to-end data governance strategy to meet evolving global requirements

Executive boardrooms are intimate and interactive sessions designed to foster dynamic dialogue around a specific, strategic topic. These private, closed-door discussions encourage attendee participation and are limited to 15 attendees (seating priority is given to C-level executives). To reserve your seat, please contact your event Program Manager.

10:00am - 10:30am  Networking Break

10:30am - 11:15am  Breakout Session

Driving an Agenda that Enables and Transforms Your Business

Diana Chong headshot

Diana Chong

Global Head of Customer Success

Google Chrome Enterprise

Ram Ramadoss headshot

Ram Ramadoss

Senior Vice President, Privacy, Information Security

CommonSpirit

 One of the biggest challenges facing the modern CIO is balance. When it comes to business transformation, the sky is the limit…until you run into budget, time and resource constraints. How can CIOs balance these real limitations while encouraging their teams to dream big and come up with outside the box solutions?

Join this session to discuss:

  • Crafting a technology and cultural transformational strategy
  • Successful frameworks that allow space for a “test fast, learn quick” environment
  • Strategies for enabling and securing a hybrid WFH workforce

10:30am - 11:15am  Breakout Session

Mindful Leadership — Finding Tranquility in Action

Ash Mahajan headshot

Ash Mahajan

Chief Information & Technology Officer

Adams 12 Five Star Schools

The benefits of mindful leadership read like a fantasy wish list ­– better self-awareness, wider emotional intelligence, reduced stress, increased clarity and productivity at work. Leaders who tap into the deeper dimension of life through commitment and practice are more able to bring their authentic selves to work and establish a new paradigm for leadership, talent development and workforce performance that increases engagement, productivity and top-line business results. Building upon leadership principles and emerging research, and sharing his own experiences, Ash Mahajan presents a compelling case for mindful leadership and shares tools and techniques that allow you to invest in the deeper dimension of your life with positive impacts in your work as a technology leader, and in the lives of those you support and love.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Reframing the alignment between your personal well-being and professional accomplishments
  • The scaffolding and structure that can help you make sense of and leverage the vast amount of resources in this space, from apps and books, to training and retreats
  • The continuum of practice and improvement in this space as individuals and as leaders

11:15am - 11:25am  Break

1:50pm - 2:35pm  Breakout Session

Playing Through With No Playbook

Ken Athanasiou headshot

Ken Athanasiou

Chief Information Security Officer

VF

Mike Bush headshot

Mike Bush

Senior Director, Information Systems

Colorado Rockies

Russ Trainor headshot

Russ Trainor

VP, IT

Denver Broncos

Jeff Walters headshot

Jeff Walters

Vice President, Outdoor Sportsman Group IT

Kroenke Sports & Entertainment

Long before a jarring pandemic blindside threatened to sack major sports in 2020, technology innovators in the field were busy redefining the game for fans, performers, and players alike. Once the world changed, these leaders had to invent a new game plan on the fly and support a hybrid experience while upholding the promise of connectivity and collaboration. In this interactive panel, learn how the successes and opportunities in the sports and entertainment worlds apply to all technology leaders as they seek the competitive edge.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Navigating security and privacy for the fans, the players, and the organizations
  • Strengthening IT-business alignment to move IT from a cost center to a revenue generator
  • Technology’s game-changing ability to reimagine any field or industry

1:50pm - 2:35pm  Executive Boardroom

Identifying the Way Forward in IAM

Bill Randall headshot

Bill Randall

Director IT Governance, Risk and Compliance

ModivCare

Chris McLaughlin headshot

Chris McLaughlin

Chief Information Security Officer

Johns Manville

How are your peers balancing business agility and business security in their identity and access management strategy? Discover how you can benchmark your framework, and learn the most innovative tactics security leaders are using for IAM in their organizations without interrupting core business operations.

In this session, you'll learn more about:

  • Standardizing and automating IAM across an enterprise
  • Methodologies that satisfy users while maintaining adequate access controls in cloud and legacy environments
  • Roadmaps for deciding what tools will fit best

Executive boardrooms are intimate and interactive sessions designed to foster dynamic dialogue around a specific, strategic topic. These private, closed-door discussions encourage attendee participation and are limited to 15 attendees (seating priority is given to C-level executives). To reserve your seat, please contact your event Program Manager.

2:35pm - 3:05pm  Networking Break

3:05pm - 3:50pm  Breakout Session

Level Up — Diversity in Leadership 2.0

Al Gardner headshot

Al Gardner

Vice President, Information Technology and Security

Inspirato

Diversity, equity and inclusion are top of mind for executives, but how are leaders implementing programs to initiate change? Leaders today are finding inspired pathways to create progressive and inclusive cultures, development opportunities, and collaborative opportunities to drive diversity initiatives. As DE&I programs remain a top priority, how are CIOs & CISOs bringing ideas to reality?

Join this session for a discussion on how to:

  • Leverage a culture of inclusion across the IT function to accelerate innovation and business outcomes
  • Reimagine tactics to hire more diverse talent
  • Create avenues that allow marginalized sections of the workforce to elevate

3:05pm - 3:50pm  Executive Boardroom

Intentional Innovation

Sue Lapierre headshot

Sue Lapierre

VP, Information Security Officer

Prologis

Technology leaders rewrote the innovation playbook in 2020 and pioneered new ways of thinking about how IT partners with employees on developing and supporting technology solutions.  The opportunities of a hybrid and digitally-savvy workforce create an environment ripe for innovation and collaboration to fuel business outcomes.  Now is the time for the CIO and CISO to review their roadmap to ensure the enterprise is empowered with tools, processes, and support to develop solutions and reach new heights. 

Join this session to discuss:

  • Defining successful innovation within the enterprise
  • Transforming operations and empowering employees in developing technology solutions
  • Fostering a culture that allows people to experiment, learn, be curious, and fail

3:50pm - 4:05pm  Break

4:05pm - 4:50pm  Keynote

Live Podcast Recording: Colorado=Security

Robb Reck headshot

Robb Reck

Co-Host

Colorado=Security Podcast

Diego Silva headshot

Diego Silva

Chief Information Officer

Gates

Alex Wood headshot

Alex Wood

Co-Host

Colorado=Security Podcast

Are you ready to be part of a live podcast? This session features Q&A with Alex Wood and Robb Reck as they interview Diego Silva, Chief Information Officer, Gates on reconceptualizing traditional ideas of how to approach security within the enterprise and shifting the business mindset to accelerate digital transformation.

This session will explore:

  • How CIOs and CISOs can better integrate within their organization
  • The unique challenges and opportunities that Colorado leaders face
  • What new advancements Colorado IT and security professionals should be aware of

4:50pm - 5:20pm  Closing Reception & Prize Drawing

November 15, 2021

November 16, 2021

We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming in-person gathering


Location


Venue & Accommodation

Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel at a reduced conference rate. Reservations should be made online or by calling 303-626-2523 .

Deadline to book using the discounted room rate of $169 USD (plus tax) is October 25, 2021.

Your Community Partners


CIO Thought Leaders
Key Partner
Program Partners

Community Program Manager


For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.

Caroline Wharton

Program Manager

971.978.5045

caroline.wharton@evanta.com