The IT Leadership Forum is a premier event designed for current and emerging public sector IT leaders to explore technological advancements that drive government innovation. The forum emphasizes leadership development, offering participants valuable opportunities to enhance their professional skills, engage in peer networking, and collaborate on strategies to improve public services through technology. 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!
In today's everchanging IT landscape, Michigan has continued to evolve and uphold its reputation as a national leader in digital government. The 2025 Michigan IT Leadership Forum is the perfect opportunity for industry leaders to connect and take part in bold conversations about what's on the horizon. I hope you will join me, so we can work together on how best to meet the needs of those we serve.
- Laura Clark, Michigan Chief Information Officer
Tuesday, May 20 |
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8:00 am Eastern |
Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area |
9:00 am Eastern |
Opening RemarksLaura Clark, Chief Information Officer, State of Michigan |
9:15 am Eastern |
Keynote – Debrief to Win: Building Teams that Succeed in DisruptionIn times of turbulence and disruption, even the best teams can struggle to stay focused, aligned, and accountable. Overcoming these challenges requires a shift in mindset and the right leadership tools to create resilient, high-performing teams. Learn from a former U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School ("Top Gun") instructor how elite military teams succeed by centering on a shared mission, driving purpose, and embracing accountability as a path to growth, not blame. Walk away with actionable strategies and inspiring insights to help your teams thrive under pressure and achieve lasting success. Robert “Cujo” Teschner, Founder & CEO, Vmax Group |
10:20 am Eastern |
Networking Break in the Exhibit Area |
10:50 am Eastern |
Concurrent SessionsThe Leader’s Guide to Prioritization of ProjectsAs an IT leader, managing competing objectives is part of the daily challenge. Balancing risk management while seizing opportunities for innovation, all while addressing the needs of elected officials and diverse stakeholders, requires a careful approach. In this session, we’ll explore how shifting from traditional project management to prioritization management can help you effectively align tactical, strategic, and organizational goals. Through real-world examples, we’ll dive into the challenges experienced leaders face as they navigate conflicting priorities and adapt their decision-making to stay ahead. From Colleague to Manager: Learning to Lead, Mentor, and ManageTransitioning into a leadership role marks a significant shift from executing tasks to shaping strategic direction. The best future leaders aren’t simply born; they are nurtured. As a manager, it's now your responsibility to invest in developing the professionals on your team, fostering a culture that emphasizes guidance, continuous learning, and leadership growth. Are you equipped with the right tools to coach, mentor, and lead effectively? This session will explore how to step away from the day-to-day operations, focus on the bigger picture, and empower your team to thrive. |
12:00 pm Eastern |
Lunch |
12:45 pm Eastern |
General Session – Driving Digital Transformation: The DTMB's Strategic Initiative for Accelerating IT Innovation |
1:15 pm Eastern |
Short BreakPlease proceed to the concurrent sessions. |
1:30 pm Eastern |
Concurrent SessionsFrom Resistance to Buy-in: Effective Leadership Through TrustEffective leadership goes beyond mere management – it’s about inspiring and empowering others to act. At the core of great leadership is the ability to influence, build trust, and foster collaboration. When partnering with stakeholders, the key to success lies in understanding their concerns before presenting solutions. Recognizing that one-size-fits-all approaches don’t work for every audience, how can we adjust our communication style to address varying needs? This session will explore practical strategies for tailoring communication, strengthening relationships, and securing buy-in to lead with impact, ensuring that initiatives move forward with greater efficiency and mutual respect. Leveraging SWOT for Excellence in IT PlanningA clear vision is essential, but without a roadmap, even the best ideas can fall flat. How can IT leaders turn insights into actionable strategies that drive results that meet your strategic, operational, and tactical objectives? This session will provide a practical approach to using SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) as a foundational tool for IT planning. Attendees will explore real-world examples of how IT leaders leverage SWOT to align technology investments with business objectives, mitigate risk, and seize emerging opportunities. |
2:30 pm Eastern |
Networking Break in the Exhibit Area |
2:50 pm Eastern |
Team Building - The Leadership Challenge: A Public Sector Trivia ShowdownCurious to see how your knowledge stacks up? Can you effectively collaborate under pressure? Dive into this lively, team-based trivia game where attendees join forces to answer questions on governance, policy, emerging tech, and the pressing issues shaping government today. This isn’t just about winning - it’s about networking, sharing expertise and maybe…just maybe - you might learn something new. Whether you’re looking to meet new people or strengthen existing partnerships, this session offers a unique chance to learn and engage with peers from across the public sector. Are you ready to challenge yourself and lead your team to victory? |
3:50 pm Eastern |
Networking Reception in the Exhibit AreaNetwork with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors. |
4:20 pm Eastern |
End of ConferenceConference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change. |
Sunil Asija
Chief Learning and Development Officer
Oakland County
Jamie Bennett
Deputy Chief Security Officer
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Rose Billington
IT Operations Officer
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Craig Brown
Chief Information Officer
City of Westland
Eric Brunk
IT Manager
City of Birmingham
Chris Cantrell
Director of IT/GIS
Midland County
Tom Cantrell
Business Relationship Manager
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Paul Carley
IT Manager
Marquette County
Jayson Cavendish
Chief Security Officer
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Laura Clark
Chief Information Officer
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Valerie Craft
IT Director
Antrim County
Kim Crawford
General Manager
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Rod Davenport
Chief Information Officer
Oakland County
Andy Esch
Information Security Officer
Department of Transportation
State of Michigan
Deb Fett
Chief Information Officer
Ingham County
Heather Frick
Agency Services Director
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Tiziana Galeazzi
General Manager
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Holly Grandy-Miller
Director of Organizational Development
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Corey Grant
Chief Operations Officer
Department of Treasury
State of Michigan
John Hartley
IT Director
Alcona County
David Holcomb
Director of Information Technology
Hillsdale County
Jamie Howell
Enterprise Portfolio Division Director
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Robert Johnson
Director of Technology Experience
Wayne County
Robert Jones
Executive Director of Support Services
University of Michigan
David Judd
Director, Systems, Evaluation & Technology
Department of Education
State of Michigan
Duane Kerkstra
Business Relationship Manager
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Jim LaBlanc
Business Relationship Manager
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Michelle McClish
Cybersecurity Local Partnerships
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Ken McFarland
Chief Deputy Director
Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
State of Michigan
Rex Menold
Chief Technology Officer
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Suzanne Pauley
eMichigan Director
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Brian Pillar
General Manager
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Lucy Pline
Business Relationship Manager
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Dan Rainey
Chief Information Officer
City of Detroit
Hector Roman
Chief Information Officer
Wayne County
Manny Rosales
General Manager
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Steve Sedore
Executive Director of Operations
Allegan County
Tom Shewchuk
IT Director
City of Ann Arbor
Tom Spencer
IT Director
Ogemaw County
Doug Start
Director of IT
City of Grand Rapids
Eric Swanson
Director, Center for Shared Solutions & Technology Partnerships
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Art Thompson
Chief Information Officer
City of Detroit
Andrey Verevko
General Manager for CTO
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
John Walker
Business Relationship Manager
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Stuart Willard
Business Relationship Manager
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Ulri Zay
Outreach Specialist
Department of Technology, Management & Budget
State of Michigan
Jessica Smack
Account Manager
Adobe
This is an invitation-only event, open to Public Sector only. For more information or to request an invitation, please contact Sherri Tidwell.
If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.
To RSVP and for general assistance contact:
Sherri Tidwell
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1382
E-mail: stidwell@erepublic.com
For assistance or questions concerning Sponsor Logos or Logistics please contact:
Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 296-2617
E-Mail: mgaton@erepublic.com
Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:
Heather Earney
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1339
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com