Topic: Culture

Seminar Topics

[1 CPE] IT and the Future of Work

  Presented by Michael Dietrich • Chief Technology Officer, Greater Nevada Credit Union

We keep hearing about the “new normal.” The pandemic brought about many changes. Demand for digital services increased. Remote work became the rule rather than the exception. And as more and more workers decide to pursue other passions it has become increasingly difficult to recruit qualified candidates, resulting in businesses offering worker flexibility and accommodations to expand the talent pool. This sea change has prompted businesses to rethink the workplace permanently. The idea of the “office” or the “campus” as defined physical space is becoming an archaic idea.

Technology professionals were the enablers of this change. During the pandemic, we solved problems to keep business and commerce running – because we were the only ones who could. Now that the new ways of working that were necessary for continuity of business are being permanently adopted, technology shops need to continue to adapt quickly. We no longer have the luxury of reduced budget and resource constraints to make things happen quickly during a crisis. As speed was the priority over quality during that time, we now need to mitigate gaps in the solutions provided. Most importantly, our teams are not simply supporting these changes. Our ways of working have changed dramatically as well. We as technology leaders need to adapt to new leadership, culture, and engagement challenges.

Greater Nevada Credit Union Chief Technology Officer Mike Dietrich discusses what this means to us as IT leaders, and the implications on IT support, security, and ways of working within technology support organizations.

Michael is currently the Chief Technology Officer for Greater Nevada Credit Union. In his 30-year career as a technology professional and leader, he has served as Chief Information Officer for the State of Nevada and held senior leadership roles at Microsoft, LinkedIn, Rackspace, and Ericsson. He has contributed to industry-changing innovations in media delivery, gaming, open hardware platforms, and AV communications.

Michael’s passion is finding the truly meaningful ways that technology can lead to better business outcomes and enhance our lives. To this end he is often heard using the phrase, “Know what done looks like,” which means seeing the result from the point of view of the customer, regardless of their technical skill level, to ensure that a technology solution delivers what is needed seamlessly and effortlessly.

In his words “IT has elevated from a basic requirement to a business enabler. It is now evolving from a business enabler to becoming the core of the business model itself regardless of the industry – an idea further solidified during the pandemic. As such, any conversation about the benefits of a solution should not be about the technology itself, but about what the solution can do for us. The technology we use impresses no one. What we accomplish with it is everything.”

[1 CPE] Taking Ownership of Security and Optimization in the Digital Age

  Presented by Jim Bates • Founder, President & CEO of Business Improvement Group

We as IT practitioners, service providers, manufacturers, managers, executives, and business owners are tasked with leading change––change due to intentional and unintentional events including the internet of things (IoT), digital transformation, intelligent automation, machine learning, robotics, and yes, pesky pandemics that have changed the way we work. These changes introduce new vulnerabilities that expose our data to motivated threat agents. Information security or cybersecurity is everyone’s job. Jim Bates will send out a call to action with some tips on how to get buy-in and lead in this age of digital chaos. We need more than just transformation. We need secure, scalable, and sustainable optimization.

Jim Bates is the Founder, President & CEO of Business Improvement Group, Inc. (BIG) and an Adjunct Professor in several schools at the University of Alaska Anchorage, including the MSPM program. Jim was elected as President-elect to the Project Management Institute Alaska Chapter (PMIAK) for 2018 and as an Executive Adviser for the nationwide Center for Technology. In addition to his many professional certifications, Jim holds master certificates in Business Analysis, Lean Six Sigma, and Project Management from Villanova University.

Jim is an experienced executive and consultant who is passionate about leading business transformation and offering innovative, high-value solutions to everyday business challenges. He has a proven ability to successfully analyze an organization’s critical business requirements, identify deficiencies and potential opportunities, and align and integrate technology.

He strives to help companies develop innovative and cost-effective solutions for enhancing competitiveness, increasing revenues, and improving customer service offerings. Jim is also an engaging, experienced public speaker and instructor. He frequently offers courses in Six Sigma, ITSM/ITIL, HIPAA compliance, leadership training, project management, and more.

[1 CPE] Know your Leadership Compass: A Roadmap to Lead with Passion and Purpose

  Presented by Jimmy Godard • SVP, Program Manager, Bank of America

Business leaders, managers, and directors may be brilliant leaders in one situation and not have the same results in another. Management gurus agree: Anyone can lead, but not everyone can be a successful leader. The previously embraced command-and-control techniques are increasingly ineffective. Today’s business environment demands leaders to be alert, agile, enterprising, and skilled in the art of diplomacy. As a leader, it’s imperative to articulate who you are, what you stand for, and why you’re excited to lead your team.

Are these areas you feel you need to develop? Do you have a compass to guide you on your journey leading your teams through challenging times, staying flexible in dealing with them, and responding to them in ways that address their needs and interests? “Developing your Leadership Compass” is a highly-interactive, reflective process that sets a path to transformational leadership.

Jimmy J Godard is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and one of the best at organizational IT changes. For more than 22 years, he has led global changes with diverse teams, helped non-profit organizations, coached IT leaders at leading with passion and purpose and reaching their full potential.

Jimmy’s leadership journey and professional experience over the last two decades in the worlds of information technology and business are incredible. He made his debut in the financial industry as a peak-time teller. He ascended to a Senior program, change, and service delivery manager. He implements global technology changes that have an impact on people, process, and technology.

He has a unique perspective both on the business and technology sides. He holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Information Systems, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA), is a certified goal success coach, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership with a specialization in Information Systems and Technology. He is an instigator of process improvement and innovation with an unwavering determination to bring about results. He implements global technology integration efforts for Infrastructure, End User Computing, Mergers, Acquisitions, and Divestitures.

Jimmy is very involved in philanthropist activities in the Portland and SW Washington communities. He is an active coach of soccer (2-3 teams). He also performs service projects yearly around the globe including and not limited to the countries of Haiti, Cambodia, Uganda, and Nigeria.

Today, Jimmy is a sought-after international speaker, goal success coach, project manager, program manager, and IT adviser. Jimmy is an excellent choice for businesses, nonprofits, leaders, project teams, business analysis, and boards looking for coaching and consulting on project, program, and change management.

[1 CPE] Building Your Network: Role Models, Mentors, Coaches, and Sponsors

  Presented by Terri-Anne Wallen • Chief Risk Officer, CSG

In this presentation on building your network, we will provide an overview of the individuals you should connect with to support, develop, coach, and sponsor you. You will learn the unique differences between each of these roles and hear about real-life examples of the power that each can provide. Participants will then have the ability to identify these people in their own network. Further, the discussion will highlight the interconnection with imposter syndrome and illustrate how imposter syndrome exists for every single human. Terri-Anne and Andy will share their experiences to guide participants in understanding how they can approach individuals to be a mentor, coach, or sponsor and realize that asking is a form of flattery!

Terri-Anne Wallen:

Terri-Anne “TA” Wallen leads CSG’s Enterprise Risk Management organization with responsibility for Risk, Compliance, and Internal Audit. In her role as Chief Risk Officer, she provides support and guidance to the business to achieve accelerated growth through risk assessment, analysis, and various audits. She joined CSG in 2005 and established CSG’s Internal Audit and Risk Management functions. In her role, she increased capabilities and implemented efficiencies to meet dynamic business risks and the evolving needs of customers, built a strong, functioning team, and monitors risk mitigation across CSG’s global, growing business. Before CSG, TA spent time with Protiviti performing Internal Audit outsourcing projects, assisting in establishing the Internal Audit function for both eBay and PayPal, and is a KPMG alumnus. She has 25+ years of experience in building and maintaining Internal Audit and 15+ years of experience in Risk Management program development and facilitation. TA graduated from the University of Nebraska – Omaha with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Accounting. She obtained her CPA certification and is a member of the IIA. TA serves as an Executive Sponsor in CSG’s first employee resource group, Women Engaged in Leadership, Education and Development (WE LEaD).

Andy Hinton:

Andy Hinton focuses on building relationships and providing value through independent and objective feedback on managing uncertainty; striving to turn risk into opportunity. In his current role at CSG, Andy leads a team of IT audit professionals through risk assessment, technology audits, and consulting.

Prior to CSG, Andy held audit roles at Bank of the West, TD Ameritrade, and Deloitte, where he performed IT, financial, and operational audits. With over 15 years of audit and information security experience, Andy has established himself as a trusted advisor to management. Andy holds Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Professional Accountancy degrees from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and maintains several audit and security certifications. Andy has taught cybersecurity at Bellevue University, volunteers for the local ISACA chapter, and is a member of the Supervisory Committee at Centris Federal Credit Union.

[1 CPE] Work-Life Effectiveness: The Impacts on Employees & Employers

  Presented by Alaska Communications

In this presentation, you will learn the basics of work-life effectiveness and understand how it impacts the company’s bottom line. There are seven key elements of work-life effectiveness. We will explore these elements, which include ideas on how to bring them to your organization. We will also address work-life and wellness issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

[1 CPE] Remote Working – Here to Stay?

  Presented by INTERFACE Advisory Council

Remote working during the pandemic has proved to be beneficial for some companies and employees. Even as we forecast a return to the office soon, many will want to work remotely on a permanent basis.

Join the INTERFACE- Advisory Council for a look at what lies ahead with remote working. How are you adjusting your security procedures? Do you know if your end-users will return to the office? Also, we will address long term items when it comes to in person working for different industries. How much of a shift in business will we see? We will discuss how IT departments be involved in decision making and execution of policies.


Panelists:
Ulf Asplund • Manager of Technical Services, Alaska Court System
Paul Hinsberg • Sr Enterprise Architect, Alaska USA Federal Credit Union
Mark Merchant • Chief Information Security Officer, Municipality of Anchorage

Managing the New Team Dynamic in a Teleworking World

  Presented by INTERFACE Advisory Council

Migrating data to the cloud has been a transition many years in the making. With the move to teleworking in 2020, many organizations have sped up their cloud usage out of necessity. Many new security challenges have come from this. In addition, monitoring productivity of staff has been difficult. Managing all team dynamics has brought questions of effective policies and procedures.

Join the INTERFACE-Sacramento Advisory Council for a discussion of these topics and more. We will present practical suggestions in managing your cloud providers to allow maximum work efficiency while also meeting your cyber security needs.


Panelists:
Keson Khieu • Chief Information Officer, Emergency Medical Services Authority
Maisha Dottery • Chief Technology Strategist, California State Treasurers Office
Tony Coronas • Director of Information Technology, Roebbelen Contracting, Inc

Digital Transformation in 2020 and Beyond: What’s Changed and What’s the Same

  Presented by Ann Dunkin • Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, Dell Technologies

While our lives have changed dramatically this year, some things, like the need to have a highly capable, well trained and motived workforce haven’t changed. We’ll discuss how the pandemic accelerated government digital transformation and the challenges that still exist.

IT departments worked quickly and efficiently to support remote workforces. While productivity in many departments and industries has been effective, there have been adverse effects from remote working. While technology has been a driving force, it can’t replace some elements. Join Ann Dunkin for a look at the gaps that have been created and what lies ahead.

Ann Dunkin is Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Dell Technologies. Prior to joining Dell, Ms. Dunkin was the Chief Information Officer for the County of Santa Clara. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara is the 15th largest county in the United States. Ms. Dunkin also served in the Obama Administration as the Chief Information Officer of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Prior to her time in Washington D.C., she was the Chief Technology Officer for the Palo Alto Unified School District. Ms. Dunkin joined the School District after a long career at Hewlett Packard in a variety of leadership roles.

Ms. Dunkin is a published author, most recently of the book Industrial Digital Transformation, and sought-after speaker on the topics of technology modernization, digital services and organizational transformation. Throughout her career she has served on a wide range of professional boards and committees. She currently serves on the OptimEyes.io Board of Advisors, the WSC Board of Directors, the Agile Government Leaders (AGL) Board of Directors and the Georgia Tech President’s Advisory Board.

She holds a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering, both from The Georgia Institute of Technology. She is a licensed professional engineer in the states of California and Washington.

Shifting from ITSM to ESM as a Way to Enable and Transform the Enterprise

  Presented by ServiceNow

As a member of IT, have you found yourself doubting your relationship with the rest of the organization as you’re perceived as a cost center rather an equal part stakeholder with a common goal? Do you find yourself struggling to collaborate with the rest of the organization as the tech debt in your organization has created seemingly insurmountable silo’s? If you feel any of this describes your work environment and how IT may be perceived, please join the discussion in how the concepts of IT Service Management need to shift to a more inclusive Enterprise Service Management strategy. Ultimately, driving more effective technology purchasing, collaboration across the enterprise and re-branding of IT as an organizational enabler.

Work from Anywhere: The New Norm For Public Sector

  Presented by Nutanix

As we have seen in 2020, many companies are working to enable their employees to have a work from home capability. However, there are many factors that contribute to whether that will be possible or not. Are their apps supported? What devices are supported? How secure will they be? What latency issues will they incur and where is the data locality?

All of these topics and more will be addressed.