The IT Leadership Forum brings together current and emerging technology leaders with the industry partners that support them. This invitation-only event provides a space for leaders to collaborate while addressing the most important policy, management and leadership issues surrounding the future of digital government. Contact us if you’d like to join the conversation!
Tuesday, June 25 |
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8:00 am Central |
Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit AreaDiamond/Emerald Ballroom Pre-Function |
9:00 am Central |
Opening RemarksDiamond/Emerald BallroomSanjay Gupta, Secretary and State Chief Information Officer, Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), State of Illinois |
9:10 am Central |
Keynote – Transform Adversity into Advantage: How to Conquer Life's HurdlesDiamond/Emerald BallroomThe world has become more difficult, and the challenges are bigger than ever. Adopting a “new normal mindset” is necessary to empower your team to navigate the challenges and opportunities through a contextual model to overcome adversity. How will you manage uncertainty? Is your team ready to embrace change? This session will provide a powerful and interactive message of resilience and perseverance that will inspire you to see change as an opportunity for growth. John Register, Inspirational and Motivational Speaker, Author, and Two-Time Paralympic Silver Medalist |
10:10 am Central |
General Session: Leading Through Change from Those That DoITDiamond/Emerald BallroomChange is all around us. From the evolution of technologies we use, to the ways we must reinvent our approach to combating cyber threats, all the way to organizational change management, there are various levels of change IT leaders are facing regularly. In general, the public sector tends to be “risk averse;” however, to progress and remain relevant with the times, it often requires “prudent risk taking.” How do leaders become comfortable with “prudent risk taking” to drive progress? When do we start leaning into change as a positive part of innovation, instead of something that leaves us vulnerable? Join this session to hear from top DoIT’s leaders who have successfully navigated complex challenges and helped their agencies come out on top. Sanjay Gupta, Secretary and State Chief Information Officer, Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), State of Illinois Lori Sorenson, Chief Technology Officer, Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), State of Illinois |
10:55 am Central |
Networking Break in the Exhibit AreaDiamond/Emerald Ballroom Pre-Function |
11:20 am Central |
Concurrent SessionsThe Role of Communication in Building Business PartnershipsSapphire BallroomBuilding the right relationships makes all the difference. One of the most important parts of being a leader is the ability to effectively communicate with multiple stakeholders at every level, including your superiors, constituents, colleagues at other agencies, your team, and elected officials. Aligning IT initiatives with business strategies is crucial in today's evolving landscape. As your communication style gets more effective, you gain stronger relationships. In IT specifically, stories can be an excellent way to connect with stakeholders and customers to help them see the benefit of the solutions you’re providing. How do you transform your thoughts and ideas into stories that grab your audience’s attention? Does this work with the population you serve, or the team you manage? This session will share tips on how to become a master storyteller and make your communication more impactful in all aspects of leadership. Moderator: Jackie White, National Conference Director, Government Technology John Cecala, State Government Advocate, Google Public Sector Chris Britten, Group Chief Information Officer, Public Safety Group, Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois Mary Reynolds, Education Group CIO, Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois Mike Scott, Chief Information Accessibility Officer, Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois The Evolving Role of a Tech Leader in a Changing WorkforceRuby BallroomThe scope of today’s public sector IT leader transcends traditional tech responsibilities. Gone are the days when we focused solely on IT infrastructure and processes. Now, an IT leader must understand the changing workforce and the need to balance business expertise and operational excellence. How do we stay in alignment with the broader mission and vision of the organization while taking on an understanding of the business needs of the agency? What skills should we cultivate for our playbooks to help prepare the future leaders of the organization? This session explores what it takes to lead in IT today and offers tools and strategies for remaining relevant. Moderator: Omar Sandoval, Chief Information Officer, Government Technology Bill Downing, Chief Enterprise Architect, Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois Bill Roth, Chief of Enterprise Applications Services, Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois Sarjoo Shah, Executive Director, Public Health Services, Oracle Lori Sorenson, Chief Technology Officer, Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois |
12:15 pm Central |
LunchDiamond/Emerald Ballroom |
12:45 pm Central |
Bits & Bytes – Strategic Management and Tactical Planning: Where Do They Meet?Diamond/Emerald BallroomWhen taking a leadership role, one of the first critical decisions that must be made is to lead strategically, or tactically. Some believe that a strategic approach will serve as the compass that will guide an organization through any variety of circumstances that it encounters. Can we afford to allow ourselves to keep our heads down on a tactical focus without a strong strategy in place first? How do we think beyond our current position to identify state-wide commonalities and crossovers in our workflows? Are we thinking tactically about the task at hand, or are we looking at the work through the lens of the strategic plan? If you have ever found yourself thinking that you are too busy to be strategic, this session may offer a fresh perspective. Listen as DoIT leaders share real-world examples of how strategic management styles have promoted greater efficiency in tactical functions. Jason Bowen, Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), State of Illinois Brandon Ragle, Deputy Secretary and Deputy State Chief Information Officer, Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), State of Illinois |
1:15 pm Central |
Short BreakPlease proceed to the concurrent sessions. |
1:35 pm Central |
Concurrent SessionsFuture Proofing with a Solid Succession PlanSapphire BallroomIdentifying and nurturing talent within our teams is a critical function of leadership. Recognizing and cultivating emerging leaders is one piece of the puzzle, but how do we set them up for success? Have we spent enough time clearly defining the skill sets that emerging leaders will need to acquire to move into leadership when the next opportunity becomes available? Are current leaders putting enough emphasis on creating internal playbooks to help incoming leaders understand the “why” behind the processes they will inherit? What can we do to help smooth out the bumps for future transitions in our agencies? This session will cover best practices for creating a solid playbook that future teams will depend on for years to come. Moderator: Jackie White, National Conference Director, Government Technology Jason Barth: Chief People Officer, Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology, State Of Illinois Jenifer L. Johnson, Chief of Staff, Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois Evelyn Sanguinetti, Sr. Siting Advocacy Manager, T-Mobile For Government From Team Member to Leader: Mastering the IT Leadership TransitionRuby BallroomTransitioning from a technical role to a leadership position brings new challenges and opportunities. This session offers insights into developing the necessary leadership skills that go beyond technical knowledge. How do you leverage your tech background to create a unique leadership style? What are the most effective ways to communicate with non-technical stakeholders? How are others able to inspire and manage teams not only tactically, but for innovation and growth? In this session we will cover the essential skills and mindset changes required for tech professionals to thrive in leadership roles, ensuring they can effectively guide strategic decision-making transformation. Moderator: Omar Sandoval, Chief Information Officer, Government Technology Troy Horton, Health & Human Services Group CIO, Department of Innovation and Technology, State of Illinois Lora McDonald, Group Chief Information Officer, State of Illinois Sultan Raziuddin, Group Chief Information Officer, Government & Public Employees, Department of Innovation & Technology, State of Illinois |
2:35 pm Central |
Networking Break in the Exhibit AreaDiamond/Emerald Ballroom Pre-Function |
3:00 pm Central |
General Session – Featured Speakers – Navigating Leadership with CLARITYDiamond/Emerald BallroomIt’s no secret that work in the public sector is rewarding. It’s also no secret that conditions to get this rewarding work done can be difficult with teams feeling like there’s never enough money, people, or time. How do current and future leaders cultivate skill sets that allow them to withstand and recover from the daily challenges presented? In this engaging workshop, you’ll enhance your leadership toolkit with the CLARITY framework. You’ll leave with an action plan to implement for immediate results all while enhancing your capacity for resilience! Stacey Caster CEO and Founder, North Executive Advisor Tracy-Ann Palmer, CEO and Founder, Corporate Athlete Academy |
4:00 pm Central |
Networking Reception in the Exhibit AreaDiamond/Emerald Ballroom Pre-FunctionNetwork with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors. |
4:30 pm Central |
End of ConferenceConference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change. |
3000 South Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62703
(217) 529-7777
Jason Barth
Head of Human Resources and Talent Management
Department of Innovation and Technology
State of Illinois
Albert Coll
Chief Administrative Officer
Department of Innovation and Technology
State of Illinois
Sanjay Gupta
Chief Information Officer
Department of Innovation and Technology
State of Illinois
Jenifer Johnson
Chief of Staff
Department of Innovation and Technology
State of Illinois
Brandon Ragle
Deputy Chief Information Officer
Department of Innovation and Technology
State of Illinois
Lori Sorenson
Chief Technology Officer
Department of Innovation and Technology
State of Illinois
2025 Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:
Heather Earney
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1339
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com