Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Opening Remarks

Sanjay Gupta, Acting Secretary and State Chief Information Officer, Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), State of Illinois

Keynote – Leading Beyond Our Limits

We’re pressed to the edge of our comfort zone daily. Faced with evolving challenges, unforeseen obstacles, and constant change, it can be tempting to stick to the familiar and avoid risk. Yet, there’s opportunity on the other side of discomfort, and standing out as a leader who’s willing to embrace uncharted territories is a remarkable way to inspire innovation and drive transformation. Join Saby Waraich as he draws on his real-life experience as a trailblazing guide in leadership. Learn to step into the uncomfortable to expand your impact, conquer complex challenges, and build a legacy of resilient leadership.

Saby Waraich, Chief Information Officer/Chief Information Security Officer, Clackamas Community College

General Session: Leading Through Change from Those That DoIT

Change 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.

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Concurrent Sessions

The Role of Communication in Building Business Partnerships

Building 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.

The Evolving Role of a Tech Leader in a Changing Workforce

The 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.

Lunch

Bits & Bytes – Strategic Management and Tactical Planning: Where Do They Meet?

When 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.

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

Future Proofing with a Solid Succession Plan

Identifying 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.

From Team Member to Leader: Mastering the IT Leadership Transition

Transitioning 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.

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

General Session – Featured Speakers – Navigating Leadership with CLARITY

It’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 Advisors

Tracy-Ann Palmer, CEO and Founder, Corporate Athlete Academy

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.

End of Conference

Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.