As a compelling change agent within Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., Chris Laping leads IT culture transformation and evolves IT’s partnership with the business to create game-changing outcomes. By synergizing IT and business strategy, and encouraging some fundamental mind shifts, Laping is positioning IT as an enabler of growth and value. In order for this partnership to truly mature, he continues to cultivate an approach of holistic business transformation that supports Red Robin’s strategic long-term vision.

Session discovery topics:

• Evolving IT’s role through strategy development and execution management

• Leveraging IT’s strengths for greater business value

• Inspiring loyalty through workforce and consumer engagement

Dr. David Waldman, researcher and Professor of Management in the W. P. Carey School, is using neuroscience to uncover biological clues as to what makes an effective leader. By studying the ‘wiring’ of the brain, Dr. Waldman and his team are moving beyond traditional measures of a person’s background, skills and personality to understand the neurological circuitry responsible for effective leadership behavior in the private sector, government and military. Through advanced techniques of EEG scanning and newly developed software, these researchers are identifying biological data that can be used to measure the leadership potential of a person. What is the practical application of this fascinating research, and how will it impact leaders and organizations in the future? Dr. Waldman delves into the many ways in which the field of leadership neuroscience will impact individuals, organizations and society.

Join Ken Bohlen, VP and CIO, Arizona Public Service Company as he explores the challenges facing the future growth of engineering and IT fields. These disciplines play a critical role in enabling the U.S. to remain the economic and technological leader of the global marketplace in the 21st Century, and organizations must adapt to meet the challenge. Ken Bohlen shares research and insights on the demographic crisis facing the future of IT, and leadership strategies for developing people to meet the new IT workforce demands.

Session discovery topics:

• Characteristics of a multi-generational workforce

• Developing top talent in today’s challenging environment

• Outsourcing, contracting, virtual resources and employees

New devices, cloud computing and other innovations are significantly impacting the IT landscape and how we do business. CIOs are tasked with creating an enterprise strategy to support a new era of computing. Join Chris Thomas as he discusses upcoming mobile and services trends and how they are impacting the IT workforce of tomorrow. He will provide examples of how companies are leveraging technology in a new era of computing to create, implement and drive long-term enterprise success.

Session discovery topics:

• The business implications of changing technologies

• Preparing today’s workforce for the innovations of tomorrow

• Realigning IT expertise to successfully manage mobile and cloud solutions

Katrina Lane is responsible for creating, enhancing and utilizing technology to drive business objectives at Caesars Entertainment, the world’s largest casino entertainment company. So when her team and the business saw a key area of customer service in need of improvement, they jumped at the opportunity to provide an innovative solution. By creating a mobile application for employee use when ordering beverages on the casino floor, they cut beverage service time significantly, solving a long-standing customer service problem. Join Lane as she shares her approach to using innovative technology as a lynchpin in a customer service strategy, and as a bonus, shares her lessons-learned when implementing Caesars’ broader employee mobile strategy.

How are CIOs balancing the challenge of improving IT efficiencies and maximizing their investments during challenging economic times? CIOs are continually tasked with meeting the needs of the business while budgets decline and customer demands increase. How are IT leaders keeping their organizations responsive and agile? Join three IT leaders in this candid conversation about ways IT departments can eliminate waste and increase efficiencies, plan for business process excellence, drive innovation and control costs.

Session discovery topics:

• Strategic planning for economic recovery and growth

• Using innovative technologies to meet business objectives

• Driving business value while controlling costs

As companies work to improve operational efficiency and performance, many are looking to the cloud as a potential solution and wondering if cloud is the transformational technology it was promised to be. Phoenix CIOs have asked for a candid conversation on cloud and an opportunity to share real experiences in adopting cloud. What are the challenges and benefits of a cloud implementation? How do you mitigate risk and manage security expectations? What are strategies for overcoming unexpected business interruptions? Join Chris Filandro as he leads an open conversation focusing on the real risks and rewards of cloud computing.

Following his star, Tom Whittaker came to the U.S. to become a world-famous mountaineer, until a drunk driver shattered his legs and crushed his dreams. The Governing Body is honored to introduce Whittaker to the CIO Executive Summit stage as he shares his inspiring story about how he took a ‘never walk again’ prognosis to the summit of Mount Everest. Using unforgettable video clips, Whittaker shows how resilience, vision, planning and humility can propel CIOs to achieve their goals and take their organizations to the next level. Join Whittaker as he challenges you as a leader and inspires you to rethink how you lead, mentor and overcome personal and professional obstacles.