Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Opening Remarks

Dru Rai, Chief Information Officer and Director, Office of Information Technology Services, State of New York

Keynote – Find Your Fight: Innovating When the Odds Are Against You

In moments when challenges feel insurmountable, and the odds are stacked against us, how do we find the will to fight—and win? In this powerful and energizing talk, Jessica O. Matthews shares how the most groundbreaking innovations often emerge from struggle, uncertainty, and adversity. Drawing from her own journey as a pioneering entrepreneur and inventor, Jessica explores how resilience, creativity, and relentless problem-solving can transform even the toughest setbacks into opportunities for impact and growth. This session will help you reframe challenges as opportunities for breakthrough innovation, develop resilience during moments of struggle, and uncover determination to keep fighting for transformative solutions.

Jessica O. Matthews, CEO of Uncharted, Innovator and Social Entrepreneur, Trailblazing Energy Advocate

General Session – Leading Through Uncertainty: Navigating Challenges with Resilience and Strategy

Building on the inspiring keynote, this session dives deeper into the strategies and mindset required to lead effectively in times of uncertainty. Whether it's navigating economic instability, adapting to rapid technological shifts, or responding to unforeseen crises, today’s IT leaders must cultivate resilience, embrace change, and drive innovation despite challenges. Leave this session equipped with the tools to lead with confidence, turn obstacles into opportunities, and keep pushing forward in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Concurrent Sessions

Empowering the Next Generation: Coaching and Mentoring for IT Leadership Success

Great leaders aren’t just born - they’re developed through intentional coaching and mentorship. In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, IT leaders must invest in developing future-ready professionals by fostering a culture of guidance, learning, and leadership growth. How can IT leaders ensure mentorship programs are inclusive and accessible to diverse talent pools? What role does mentorship play in retaining top talent and preparing the next generation of public sector IT leaders? This session will examine the transformative impact of mentorship in shaping high-performing teams, strengthening leadership pipelines, and building a resilient workforce capable of navigating evolving challenges.

Balancing Risk and Innovation: Leading with Confidence in A Rapidly Evolving IT Landscape

Innovation drives progress, but it also comes with risks. In the public sector, IT leaders must strike a delicate balance between fostering innovation and mitigating potential threats, ensuring that new technologies enhance efficiency and security without compromising operational stability. How can organizations encourage bold, forward-thinking initiatives while maintaining regulatory compliance, data security, and risk management? Join this session where we will explore frameworks for assessing and managing risk while driving innovation, highlighting real-world strategies for leveraging emerging technologies responsibly.

The Art of Storytelling: Elevating Leadership Through Soft Skills

Effective leadership goes beyond management - it’s about inspiring and empowering others. At the heart of effective leadership lies the ability to tell compelling stories that foster connection, drive engagement, and build trust. Storytelling is more than just a communication tool; it’s a powerful way to hone essential leadership soft skills such as empathy, problem-solving, active listening, creativity, and teamwork. How can storytelling enhance decision-making and inspire teams to embrace change? What techniques can leaders use to make complex ideas more relatable and impactful? Join us for an engaging session that will help you master the art of storytelling to strengthen your leadership presence and influence.

Lunch

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

From Insight to Action: Leveraging SWOT for Strategic and Tactical IT Planning

A 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? This session will provide a practical approach to using SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) as a foundational tool for both strategic and tactical planning. Join the conversation where we’ll explore real-world examples of how IT leaders can use SWOT to align technology investments with business goals, mitigate risks, and seize opportunities in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Leading vs Managing: Knowing When to Inspire and When to Execute

Successful IT professionals recognize that leadership and management serve distinct purposes, requiring different approaches depending on the situation. Knowing when to step back and inspire versus when to dive in and manage is essential for driving both innovation and operational success. How can leaders recognize when their teams need guidance versus autonomy? What practical strategies can leaders use to balance high-level vision with hands-on management? In this session, we will explore how to balance leadership and management responsibilities to drive impact and effectiveness in IT.

Navigating Career Growth: Successorship, Skill Development, and Advancement in a Matrix Organization

Career development isn’t just about climbing the ladder - it’s about creating pathways for growth, expanding skill sets, and preparing the next generation of leaders. In a matrix organization, where responsibilities often span multiple teams and functions, professionals must take a proactive approach to successorship, cross-training, and career advancement. How can IT professionals position themselves for leadership roles in a dynamic and evolving environment? What are the most effective ways to gain new skills and advance in a matrixed organization? This session will explore strategies for developing a strong talent pipeline, fostering career mobility, and leveraging cross-functional experiences to build future leaders.

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

General Session – Coexisting with AI: Optimizing the Workforce for a New Era

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the public sector workforce by streamlining operations, enhancing decision-making, and redefining job roles. As government agencies adopt AI-driven tools and automation, the challenge lies in balancing technological innovation with workforce optimization. How can IT leaders ensure a smooth transition, empower employees with new skills, and foster effective human-AI collaboration? This session will delve into strategies for seamlessly integrating AI into government operations while cultivating a resilient, adaptable workforce ready to thrive in an evolving digital landscape.

Bill Rials, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

IT Leadership Programs: Progress and Updates from the New York State Forum

Join us for an insightful update on the New York State Forum’s IT Leadership Programs and the progress made since last year’s forum. Designed to cultivate excellence in public sector technology leadership, these programs have evolved to address emerging challenges, enhance professional development, and expand opportunities for IT leaders across the state.

Fran Reiter, Executive Director, New York State Forum

New York IT Leadership Awards Program

Hosted by: Dru Rai, Chief Information Officer and Director, Office of Information Technology Services, State of New York

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

End of Conference

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