Topic: Culture

Seminar Topics

[1 CPE] Three Wins to Chase, Three Disasters to Dodge

  Presented by Amy McLaughlin • Chief Information Officer, University of Wyoming

Amy McLaughlin cuts through the noise surrounding artificial intelligence and focuses on what leaders should actually be doing today. Drawing on real-world experience, she will walk through three high-impact ways AI is already delivering value and three common missteps that are creating unnecessary risk, wasted effort, and loss of trust. Rather than chasing tools or trends, Amy will talk about how to make better decisions: where to lean in, where to slow down, and how to approach AI as a leadership and governance challenge, not just a technology one.

Amy McLaughlin is the Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at the University of Wyoming, the state’s flagship and only public university, where she leads the technology organization responsible for enabling teaching, learning, research, and statewide outreach.

A nationally recognized technology and cybersecurity leader with more than two decades of experience, Amy is known for driving practical innovation, modernizing complex environments, and building high-performing teams across higher education and government. Her career spans leadership roles in enterprise IT, cybersecurity, and network services, including senior positions at Oregon State University and the State of Oregon, where she led large-scale transformation efforts, strengthened infrastructure resilience, and advanced security programs. Amy brings a strategic, people-centered approach to technology leadership, grounded in deep operational experience and a strong commitment to mission-driven outcomes.

[1 CPE] SCARE to CARES: Delivering Digital Transformation without Chaos

  Presented by Saby Waraich • Chief Information Officer, Clackamas Community College

In the dynamic world of organizational leadership, the ability to navigate and lead through complex transformations is critical. Saby Waraich, a seasoned leader with extensive experience in technology and change management, offers an insightful session designed to empower leaders to evolve from a mindset of fear and control (“SCARE”) to one grounded in empathy, trust, and collaboration (“CARES”).

This session delves into the essential qualities and strategies required to lead successful transformations in today’s fast-paced and often unpredictable environment. Participants will explore how leaders can shift their approach from being overly cautious and risk-averse to fostering a culture of care, where team members feel supported, valued, and motivated to contribute their best.

Recognized by Thinkers360 as a Global Thought Leader and Influencer in the Top 10 for Project Management and Business Strategy, and in the Top 50 for Leadership, Saby Waraich is not just a speaker—he’s a practitioner in the trenches every single day. Delivering keynotes and workshops that are as inspiring as they are practical, Saby marries actionable insights with a captivating storytelling style. His mission is not just to inspire but to equip you with the strategies needed to excel personally and professionally.

A veteran in driving change and fostering innovation, Saby offers a unique perspective backed by real-world experience. Whether on stage or virtually, his energetic and engaging approach provides the tools you need to stand out as a leader, build trust, and ultimately drive better results. Don’t just listen to a speech; gain a professional edge from someone who’s living it.

[1 CPE] Networking Tips and Best Practices for C-Suite to Jr Admin

  Presented by Robert Phelps, Systems Engineer, Customer Engineering • Arista Networks

Modern IT networks are a living entity that requires care and feeding. If the infrastructure, tooling, and staff are neglected or taken for granted, loss of network resiliency, increased tool sprawl, and staff exodus are inevitable. Take one or more of these recommended tips in-house to make your network more resilient, easier to manage, and foster an IT working environment that will keep top talent on board for years to come.

[1 CPE] Exponential Mindfulness: Harness the Power You Already Have!

  Presented by Derek Kruse • Chief Information Officer, Douglas Omaha Technology Commission

Mindfulness is for everyone—yes, even you! Exponential Mindfulness delivers practical tools to finally make mindfulness accessible and useful across all aspects of your personal and professional life. This presentation will introduce you to a universal and easy to implement mindfulness management framework. Now is the time to break through difficult challenges, capitalize on mindful momentum, and build resiliency for compounding improvement.

Derek Kruse has over 25 years of organizational leadership experience. He has held leadership positions in Fortune 500 companies, the nonprofit sector, government, and higher education. Derek is the Chief Information Officer for the Douglas Omaha Technology Commission (DOTComm), which serves the technology needs of the City of Omaha and Douglas County in Nebraska. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Creighton University in the fields of strategy and entrepreneurship.

He recently launched Exponential Mindfulness to help people harness the power they already have by using simple tools to overcome challenges and build resilience for compounding growth.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, where he played varsity basketball for four years; an MBA from Emory’s Goizueta Business School and a DBA from Creighton’s Heider College of Business. He also holds a certificate in Strategy Execution for Public Leadership from Harvard and a certificate in Mindful Leadership from Spirit Rock.

Derek, his wife Dana, and their two children are native Cornhuskers and live in Bennington, NE.

[1 CPE] Change Leadership Propelling You and Your Business

  Presented by Bradley Pristelski, Central Region CIO, CommonSpirit Health

Propelling change forward in any organization is a difficult leadership challenge. People naturally resist change and view it uncomfortable, difficult work, and time-consuming. The best leaders co-create change amongst their teams and throughout the organization before the problem or opportunity first materializes which creates a high sense of ownership that can’t be overstated. As the saying goes, “Don’t involve me in the landing if you don’t involve me in the takeoff.”

[1 CPE] Will AI Take Your Job? How Do You Ensure It Doesn’t?

  Presented by Joe Skeen, Solutions Architect • CompuNet

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, its impact on the workforce is becoming increasingly profound. This presentation explores the reality behind the provocative claim that “AI will take your job,” examining which industries and roles are most at risk and which are poised for growth. Attendees will gain insights into the skills that are becoming obsolete, the capabilities that remain uniquely human, and the emerging opportunities in an AI-driven economy. The session will provide practical strategies for adapting to technological disruption, including upskilling, embracing digital tools, and cultivating resilience. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how to future-proof their careers and thrive in the age of intelligent machines.

[1 CPE] Balancing Innovation & Security: Montana’s Journey to Secure AI Integration

  Presented by Chris Santucci • Chief Information Security Officer, State of Montana

The State of Montana has embraced a transformative approach to artificial intelligence (AI), shifting from a traditional “no-first” security mindset to one that enables business objectives while managing risk. This keynote will explore how Montana has strategically implemented AI to enhance efficiency and innovation, all while safeguarding citizen data and ensuring business continuity.

Key highlights include:

  • Empowering Users: Recognizing that AI is an inevitable tool for workers, the state has developed frameworks to ensure its secure use while recognizing the efficiencies gained for the average user.
  • AI Governance: Establishing an AI Acceptable Use Standard, mandatory training programs to educate users on critical evaluation and responsible usage, as well as establishing an AI Governance Committee and AI Community of Practice.
  • Secure Implementation: Vetting applications, setting guardrails, and partnering with vendors who meet stringent security requirements.

This presentation will also delve into why Montana has pursued this path – encouraging innovation while providing secure tools and clear direction in an era where not all AI is created equal. Attendees will leave with actionable insights into how to enable AI adoption responsibly, foster efficiency, and lead from the front in cybersecurity.

Chris Santucci is the State Chief Information Security Officer for Montana, with over five years of service to the state, including two years as State CISO. Chris leads Montana’s enterprise security strategy with a focus on proactive risk management, business partnership, and transparency. He is passionate about empowering users to interact with technology securely, ensuring both citizen data protection and business continuity. Chris holds an MBA in IT Management and is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).

[1 CPE] From Back-End to Boardroom: Securing Your Seat at the Table

  Presented by INTERFACE Advisory Council

Decisions are made every day at your organization that will impact all employees. Budgets, policies procedures, and more are discussed in board rooms, on conference calls, or at a staff lunch. Who is a part of these discussions? Are you? So often Information Technology departments are not included in key decisions about the direction of an organization, and they should be.

Join the INTERFACE Advisory Council for an open discussion about securing your “seat at the table.” IT performs so many crucial services that help all aspects of a business, it makes sense that you are offering up the needed insight into technology’s role in key decisions. Join this panel discussion to hear from your peers about how you can accomplish this tough task.

Moderator: Brad Somers, Manager, Information Technology, Livingston HealthCare

Panelists:

  • JJ Bestgen, Sr Identity Management Administrator, Town Pump
  • Kelly Ferriter, Manager, Network Services, NorthWestern Energy
  • Ryan Knutson, CIO, Vice President, Information Technology, Montana State University
  • Peter Martinson, Managing Director, Strategic IT, Montana State University

[1 CPE] Strengthening the Cyber Shield: Private-Public Partnerships at the State and Local Level

  Presented by ACTRA

This session focuses on maturing actionable strategies and collaborative frameworks designed to help IT leaders and cybersecurity professionals navigate today’s dynamic threat landscape. As adversaries increasingly target state and local systems, Arizona’s model for public-private cooperation demonstrates how trusted partnerships, timely threat intelligence sharing, and coordinated incident response can significantly enhance cyber resilience. This session will update participants on practical timely insights into how cross-sector collaboration is being operationalized to protect infrastructure, ensure business continuity, and support a unified cybersecurity posture across the state.

Speakers:

  • Frank J. Grimmelmann, President & CEO, Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance, Inc. (ACTRA)
  • Ryan Murray, Deputy Director, AZ Dept of Homeland Security, CISO, State of Arizona

[1 CPE] FBI Cybersecurity Briefing: Safeguarding Against Modern Threats

  Presented by Nick Smith • FBI Special Agent

Join FBI Special Agent Nick Smith for a discussion on the top cyber threats of today. This presentation will cover some of the basic mitigation strategies available that users can enact right now. This discussion will also provide an overview of the FBI’s role in addressing various cyber threats.

Special Agent Nick Smith is a cyber agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Phoenix Division, focusing on criminal cyber matters including computer intrusions, malware, ransomware, and combating criminal infrastructures. Prior to working for the FBI, Nick served several cyber-related roles across government and within the U.S. Intelligence Community. He also served as a Police Officer in Ohio for several years and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Nick holds a BS in Homeland Security from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an MS in Information Systems Engineering from the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering. He also maintains certification as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).