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!
I encourage IT leaders at every stage of their leadership journey to attend the NC IT Leadership Forum. This collaborative event provides a unique opportunity to learn from the experience of others in the IT field and work together to develop innovative solutions for our state’s people, businesses, and communities.
– James Weaver, Secretary and Chief Information Officer, Department of Information Technology, State of North Carolina
Wednesday, March 20 |
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8:00 am Eastern |
Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit AreaGrand Ballroom Lobby |
9:00 am Eastern |
Opening RemarksGrand Ballroom 4/5James Weaver, Secretary and Chief Information Officer, Department of Information Technology, State of North Carolina |
9:10 am Eastern |
Keynote – Transform Adversity into Advantage: How to Conquer Life's HurdlesGrand Ballroom 4/5The 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 Eastern |
General Session - Let’s Get to Work! Addressing Challenges and Solutions for NC’s Future WorkforceGrand Ballroom 4/5As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, agencies are facing unique hiring challenges and seeking innovative solutions to build and retain a skilled IT workforce. From competition with the private sector to the complexities of government hiring processes, we'll first uncover the root causes behind these challenges. But what’s next? How can organizations overcome those obstacles to create an effective team? Are there unique internship or hiring opportunities that we can replicate? Our expert panel will look to answer those questions and will explore how they are tackling one of the biggest challenges we face as leaders today. Moderator: James Weaver, Secretary and Chief Information Officer, Department of Information Technology, State of North Carolina Joey Harrison, Human Resources Director, Department of Information Technology, State of North Carolina Deanna Jones, Regional Specialist of Employment Services for Central NC, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Department of Health and Human Services, State of North Carolina Amanda Richardson, Chief Information Officer, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, State of North Carolina |
10:40 am Eastern |
Networking Break in the Exhibit AreaGrand Ballroom Lobby |
11:00 am Eastern |
Concurrent SessionsSmart Collaboration in the Triangle and BeyondGrand Ballroom 3Improving service delivery for North Carolinian’s depends on effective and “smart” collaboration. The region has made great strides in helping further define what a smart community means. How should we be approaching partnerships and how can we ensure the right stakeholders have a seat at the table? How do issues like affordable housing, transportation and connectivity affect the bigger picture? This session will dive into how leaders across the state are working together to improve lives. Moderator: Keith Briggs, Director of Enterprise Architecture & Innovation, Department of Information Technology, State of North Carolina Nicole Coughlin, Chief Information Officer, Town of Cary Rachael Newberry, Program Director, RIoT Donald Richardson, Engineering Manager, City of Wilson Braydon Strous, SLED Acquisition District Manager, HP Inc. From Policy to Practice: IT Governance in the Emerging Tech LandscapeGrand Ballroom 1Step one in managing any strategic plan or project is making sure you have the proper guardrails in place. Navigating the delicate balance between current governance frameworks and the transformative potential of emerging technologies can be a challenge – but one that we must overcome if we want to innovate. This session explores that dynamic and how to be agile in the years to come. Moderator: Torre Jessup, Chief Operating Officer, Department of Information Technology, State of North Carolina Reese Edgington, Chief of Technology Services, Department of Health and Human Services, State of North Carolina Mike Ware, Chief Information Officer, Department of Environmental Quality, State of North Carolina Ron White, Chief Information Officer, Avanade The Role of Leadership in Cyber Resilience: A 2024 PerspectiveGrand Ballroom 2Creating a cybersecurity-aware organizational culture has never been more important – the combination of state actors being more visible than ever and the integration of automated intelligence in their attacks has created a challenging environment for security professionals. Join our panel of pros as we discuss how we need to think differently as it relates to the talent pipeline and how we communicate with our current partners. Moderator: Mick DiGrazia, Senior Director of Enterprise Operations, Department of Information Technology, State of North Carolina Chris Haynes, Regional Director, Systems Engineering – Public Sector, Fortinet Torry Crass, Chief Risk Officer, Department of Information Technology, State of North Carolina Raju Gadiraju, Chief Information Officer, Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security, State of North Carolina |
12:00 pm Eastern |
LunchGrand Ballroom 4/5 |
12:30 pm Eastern |
General Session – 2024 North Carolina Student Tech ShowcaseGrand Ballroom 4/5 |
1:10 pm Eastern |
Short Break |
1:20 pm Eastern |
Concurrent SessionsAI in Action: Navigating Policy, Ethics, and GuidanceGrand Ballroom 3As the prominence of AI continues to grow, the imperative to integrate it responsibly within the public sector has never been more pressing. How can entities navigate AI implementation while forming responsible policies and ethical considerations? This session explores responsible AI usage, addressing ethical implications, and providing actionable guidance on harnessing its power. Moderator: Dan Kempton, Senior Technology Advisor, Department of Information Technology, State of North Carolina Phaedra Boinodiris, Global Leader, Trustworthy AI, IBM Cherie Givens, Chief Privacy Officer, Department of Information Technology, State of North Carolina First 6 Months as an IT LeaderGrand Ballroom 2Are you new to IT leadership, or perhaps you have done this before but recently moved to a new organization? Either way, you probably know the first 6 months in this role can make or break your reputation and your team. Do you have what it takes to navigate and handle daily challenges to come out on the other side a stronger leader. This session shares tips, tricks, and tools on how you and your team can not only survive, but thrive, long after the first 6 months! Moderator: Zach Thorn, Senior National Conference Director, Government Technology Christie Burris, Chief Data Officer, Department of Information Technology, State of North Carolina Jonathan Feldman, Chief Information Officer, Wake County Rob Reynolds, Chief Information Officer, Orange County Mark Wittenburg, Chief Information Officer, City of Raleigh |
2:20 pm Eastern |
Networking Break in the Exhibit AreaGrand Ballroom Lobby |
2:40 pm Eastern |
General Session - The Secret Ingredient for Great LeadershipGrand Ballroom 4/5In this fast-paced world of providing IT products and services within our work as governmental professionals it is easy to lose sight of our real business focus. No matter our area of technical expertise, we are all in the PEOPLE business. And dealing with people is not always easy. The success of an organization rises and falls with leadership. In this session we will explore the secret ingredient that will catapult your good leadership to GREAT leadership. Michael Euliss, Director, Office of the State Controller, State of North Carolina |
3:10 pm Eastern |
Featured Speakers – Navigating Leadership with CLARITYGrand Ballroom 4/5It’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 |
4:10 pm Eastern |
Networking Reception in the Exhibit AreaGrand Ballroom LobbyNetwork with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event sponsors. |
4:40 pm Eastern |
End of ConferenceConference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change. |
3415 Wake Forest Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 872-2323
Jim Alberque
GIS & Emerging Technology Manager
Information Technology
City of Raleigh
Katina Blue
Associate Vice Chancellor of Information Research & Chief Information Officer
UNC Pembroke
Keith Briggs
Director of Enterprise Architecture & Innovation
Department of Information Technology
State of North Carolina
Christie Burris
Chief Data Officer
Department of Information Technology
State of North Carolina
Ty Byrd
Application Systems Manager
State of North Carolina
Department of Justice
Nicole Coughlin
Chief Information Officer
Town of Cary
Torry Crass
State Chief Risk Officer
Department of Information Technology
State of North Carolina
Mick DiGrazia
Senior Director of Enterprise Operations
State of North Carolina
Department of Information Technology
Reese Edgington
Chief Information Officer
Department of Health and Human Services
State of North Carolina
Joey Ennis
Chief Information Officer
Department of Administration, DMVA, OSBM
State of North Carolina
Michael Euliss
Director
Office of the State Controller
State of North Carolina
Jonathan Feldman
Chief Information Officer
Wake County
Patrick Flemming
Chief Information Officer
Technology Solutions & Distance Learning Division
North Carolina Community College System
Raju Gadiraju
Chief Information Officer
Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security
State of North Carolina
Kelly Gardner
Communications Specialist
Department of Information Technology
State of North Carolina
Cherie Givens
Chief Privacy Officer
Department of Information Technology
State of North Carolina
Christine Hofer
Chief Information Officer
Office of State Human Resources
State of North Carolina
John Holden
Smart City Manager
Office of Strategy & Innovation
City of Raleigh
Torre Jessup
Chief Operating Officer
Department of Information Technology
State of North Carolina
Susan Kellogg
Chief Deputy State CIO/Chief Services Officer
Department of Information Technology
State of North Carolina
Dan Kempton
Sr Technical Advisor
Department of Information Technology
State of North Carolina
Chris Koltyk
Chief Information Officer
City of Gastonia
Glenn Mack
Chief Information Officer
Department of Public Safety
State of North Carolina
Nicole Meister
Director Of Strategic Communications
Department of Information Technology
State of North Carolina
Glenn Poplawski
State Solutions Director
Department of Information Technology
State of North Carolina
Rob Reynolds
Chief Information Officer
Information Technology
Orange County
Amanda Richardson
Chief Information Officer
Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
State of North Carolina
Allan Sandoval
Chief Information Officer
Department of Commerce
State of North Carolina
Jonathan Shaw
General Counsel
Department of Information Technology
State of North Carolina
Kate Smith
Chief Information Officer
Office of State Controller
State of North Carolina
Beth Stagner
Business Applications Director
Information Technology
City of Raleigh
James Tanzosh
Chief IT Procurement Officer
Department of Information Technology
State of North Carolina
Michael Taylor
Deputy County Manager and Chief Information Officer
Pitt County
Gary Thomas
Chief Information Officer
Office of State Budget and Management
State of North Carolina
Mike Ware
Chief Information Officer
Department of Environmental Quality
State of North Carolina
Brian Watkins
Chief Information Officer
Department of Transportation
State of North Carolina
Jim Weaver
State Chief Information Officer
Department of Information Technology
State of North Carolina
Keith Werner
Chief Information Officer
University of North Carolina System
Mark Wittenburg
Chief of Technology Services
Information Technology
City of Raleigh
Brendan Davis
Lead Consulting Partner
IBM
Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:
Heather Earney
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1339
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com