Topic: Strategic Management

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] Implementing AI: A Panel Discussion on the Steps You Need to Take Now

  Presented by INTERFACE Advisory Council

Your success as an IT professional has always depended on your ability to adapt. With the rapid expansion of AI capabilities, how are you evaluating and applying these tools today? What changes have you made to drive value—and where are you encountering obstacles?

Join this peer-led panel discussion to build a practical, prioritized “to-do list” of what you need to know. Our Advisory Council will share firsthand experiences implementing AI across a range of use cases while maintaining strong security controls. Panelists will outline concrete steps for developing an effective AI policy and offer guidance on engaging stakeholders to create organizational alignment. You will also explore the critical role of data governance and security in responsible AI adoption.

The discussion will address additional considerations, including collaboration with legal and HR teams, to help you prepare for enterprise-wide implementation. Bring your questions and leave with actionable insights you can apply immediately to implement AI with confidence.

Panelists:

  • Michael Bray, Chief Information Security Officer, The Vancouver Clinic
  • Brandon Gatke, AVP, Information Technology and Security, Portland Community College
  • Steve Hankel, Vice President, Information Technology, Johanson Transportation Service
  • Jaya Srinivasan, CISO, Director of Cybersecurity, M Financial Group

[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] Go Hack Yourself: War Stories from over 170,000 Pentests

  Presented by Tony Taylor, Sr Solutions Architect • Horizon3.ai

Join Tony Taylor, Senior Solutions Architect, for an engaging session on “Offense-Driven Defense.” Raakish will challenge conventional risk assessment practices and unveil how focusing on real-world exploitability and impact can revolutionize your security approach. Drawing from insights gathered across more than 170,000 autonomous pentests, he’ll share compelling stories and actionable lessons that show how viewing your cyber terrain through an attacker’s lens can uncover hidden vulnerabilities, optimize resource allocation, and strengthen your defenses against advanced threats. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a leading industry practitioner on why it’s time to “go hack yourself” and build resilience in today’s borderless threat environment.

[1 CPE] Insider Session: From Retired to Replaced – Preparing for Microsoft’s Wave of Changes

  Presented by iT1 Source

In this insider session, we’ll break down Microsoft’s biggest licensing and product changes so you can prepare, stay compliant, and avoid unnecessary costs. From shifting discounts to looming end-of-support deadlines, we’ll cover what every business needs to know.

Key Takeaways:

  • How Microsoft’s recent announcement will impact EA & MPSA pricing.
  • Practical steps for moving from EA to CSP with confidence.
  • Are you still running outdated technology that reached Microsoft’s end of support in October?

[1 CPE] Beyond Cybersecurity: Assembling Resiliency for the Inevitable Breach

  Presented by BJ Deonarain, Global Alliance Cybersecurity Solutions Director • Hitachi Vantara

The Imperative for Resiliency, 100% cyber security is unachievable; breaches are inevitable, where modern threats demand a shift from reactive defense to proactive resilience. Resilience requires mindset and culture change, not just new technology, while focus can sustain operations and limit damage when security fails.

Assembling the resiliency strategic pillars and actions:

  • Risk Assessment: continuous evaluation of assets and vulnerabilities
  • Incident Response: develop, test, and update comprehensive crisis plans
  • Employee Training: ongoing education to make staff the first line of defense
  • Systems Testing: regular audits, penetration tests, and vulnerability scans
  • Partnerships: collaborate with industry experts for knowledge sharing
  • Culture: embed resiliency throughout the organization at every level

BJ Deonarain is a globally focused cybersecurity executive responsible for driving cyber security and cyber resiliency strategy at Hitachi Vantara. With a career spanning technical innovation, client solutions, and cross-functional leadership, BJ combines deep technical expertise with a client-centric approach to mitigate risk and elevate organizational security postures.

[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] 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] Go Hack Yourself: War Stories from over 170,000 Pentests

  Presented by Tony Taylor, Sr Solutions Architect • Horizon3.ai

Join Tony Taylor, Senior Solutions Architect, for an engaging session on “Offense-Driven Defense.” Tony will challenge conventional risk assessment practices and unveil how focusing on real-world exploitability and impact can revolutionize your security approach. Drawing from insights gathered across more than 170,000 autonomous pentests, he’ll share compelling stories and actionable lessons that show how viewing your cyber terrain through an attacker’s lens can uncover hidden vulnerabilities, optimize resource allocation, and strengthen your defenses against advanced threats. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a leading industry practitioner on why it’s time to “go hack yourself” and build resilience in today’s borderless threat environment.

[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.