
Minneapolis CIO Executive Summit
November 17, 2021 | Hilton Minneapolis
November 17, 2021
Hilton Minneapolis
Collaborate with your peers
Get together with Minneapolis's top CIOs to tackle shared business challenges and critical priorities facing your role today. Participate in this one-day, local program with peer-driven topics and interactive discussions with your true C-level peers.
Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CIOs today:
Seizing momentum – influencing and leading the enterprise
Thriving through uncertainty - empowering people and delivering value
Advancing and scaling strategic, outcome-based technologies
Minneapolis CIO Governing Body
The Governing Body Co-Chairs shape the summit agenda, ensuring that all content is driven by CIOs, for CIOs.
Governing Body Co-Chairs

Justin Kershaw
Cargill
Corporate VP & CIO

Don Monk
General Mills
VP and CIO, Technology and Solutions, Global Business Solutions

Mike Neill
C.H. Robinson
Chief Technology Officer

Carissa Rollins
UnitedHealthcare
CIO

Tarek Tomes
State of Minnesota
CIO & Commissioner
What to Expect
Agenda
November 16, 2021
November 17, 2021
7:30am - 8:15am Registration & Breakfast
8:15am - 9:00am Keynote
Twin Cities Tech Talent — Teaming Up for Long-Term Growth
Hosted by Citrix Systems, Inc.

Carissa Rollins
CIO
UnitedHealthcare

Tarek Tomes
CIO & Commissioner
State of Minnesota
What will it take to groom, grow and keep better technology talent throughout the local region? Industry leaders aren’t just asking that question, they’re developing answers as they work to develop IT bench strength. This keynote panel addresses what influential companies are proactively doing to ward off coastal competition for technology talent, and how Midwest organizations of every size can align around the common effort. Interact with the panel and learn more about:
- Getting the right resources to companies to attract more tech talent
- Grooming homegrown talent – with or without technology experience – to seize new opportunities
- Fostering talent diversity and flexing to the new ways of working
9:00am - 9:15am Break
9:15am - 10:00am Breakout Session
Activating a Cybersecurity Force for a New Era
Hosted by Fortinet, Inc.

John Jacobs
Field CISO
Fortinet

Bernie Gulachek
CIO
University of Minnesota
With an increase in threat vectors comes the increased need for a sound yet dynamic cybersecurity program. CIOs must take a proactive approach in ensuring cybersecurity risk is considered at every step, even in times of rapid disruption.
Join this session for a discussion on:
- Managing third parties and holding them to cybersecurity standards
- Quantifying, measuring, and communicating risk across the organization
- Upskilling your cybersecurity teams to stay ahead of emerging threats
9:15am - 10:00am Breakout Session
New Etiquette in our Hybrid World

Tammylynne Jonas
Global CIO
Donaldson

Kim Skanson
President, Cargill Business Services
Cargill
Amanda Alwy
Head of North America Information Technology
ManpowerGroup

Carrie Adams
System Director, Clinical & Business Apps
Fairview Health Services

Carissa Rollins
CIO
UnitedHealthcare
After going through the pandemic, it is clear that our day-to-day office activities will never be the same. While we may sometimes be in the same room with our teams and partners, it is much more likely that some of us will be in the room, and some of us will be on the phone. Communication is easy we're we are all in the same setting (virtual or in-person), but what do we do in a scenario where we have some or both?
Join your peers in this interactive session to discuss:
- Etiquette for the new hybrid workforce
- Specific challenges you have faced or concerns you have about the year ahead
- Potential solutions and best practices for creating a cohesive and equitable hybrid work environment
9:15am - 10:00am Executive Boardroom
Developing a Strategic Approach to Applications Rationalization

Mark Vaupel
VP, IT Services
Hormel Foods

Jeff Gerber
CIO
Johnson Brothers Liquor
According to Gartner research, CIOs will increase their enterprise software spending by nearly 9% in 2021. As they upgrade legacy software and expand their offerings, technology leaders must pay careful attention to business alignment in order to maximize the value of their applications, advance key digital initiatives, and remain agile in the face of constant change.
Join this boardroom to discuss best practices around:
- Aligning your application footprint with your enterprise’s strategic objectives
- Formulating principles for modernizing your application portfolio
- Creating architectures that can evolve to meet ever-changing business requirements
Executive boardrooms are intimate and interactive sessions designed to foster dynamic dialogue around a specific, strategic topic. These private, closed-door discussions encourage attendee participation and are limited to 15 attendees (seating priority is given to CIOs).
To reserve your seat, please contact Tori Boski.
10:00am - 10:30am Networking Break
10:30am - 11:15am Breakout Session
The CIO Imperative to Drive a Diverse, Inclusive Organization

Adrian Butler
CIO
Casey's General Stores

Kim Skanson
President, Cargill Business Services
Cargill
It is widely known that diverse teams and organizations not only outperform less-diverse competition – they drive higher profits and innovation. With the powerful, connective force of technology at their fingertips, CIOs are uniquely positioned to deliver diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that impact every aspect of the IT creation/workforce experience. This peer-driven discussion will explore actionable DEI strategies around:
- Sourcing, hiring and retaining diverse IT talent – instilling access and opportunities for all
- Promoting coaching and mentorship opportunities to develop and retain diverse talent
- Partnering with the business and building pathways to elevate diverse IT talent into leadership roles
- Providing advocacy and authentic connections for underrepresented sections of the workforce
10:30am - 11:15am Executive Boardroom
Security Awareness — One Size Does Not Fit All
Hosted by Insight Enterprises

Jason Rader
Chief Information Security Officer
Insight Enterprises

Dan Abdul
SVP, CTO
Medica

Sharon Kennedy-Vickers
CIO & Director, Technology & Communications
City of Saint Paul
Managing security awareness is no easy feat – cookie-cutter solutions just won’t do. Successful programs need custom strategies that integrate well with your corporate culture and engage employees at all levels.
Join this boardroom to discuss:
- Creative ways to introduce security awareness to your teams
- How to partner across the C-suite to integrate security training throughout the organization
- How to stay ahead of new threats that come with a remote culture
Executive boardrooms are intimate and interactive sessions designed to foster dynamic dialogue around a specific, strategic topic. These private, closed-door discussions encourage attendee participation and are limited to 15 attendees (seating priority is given to CIOs).
To reserve your seat, please contact Tori Boski.
10:30am - 11:15am Executive Boardroom
Dialing in the Data Ecosystem from Strategy to Delivery

Luke Anderson
CIO
Cub Foods

Benjamin Davis
EVP and Chief Digital Officer
Cambria

Kelly Runkle
Vice President Information Technology
Taylor
“Data is at the core of everything we do.” Whether or not you relate to this Fortune 250 CIO’s decree, the struggle to be a well-oiled, data-driven enterprise is real. What opportunities has your organization missed along its data journey, and what strategic levers can you pull to drive competitive advantage? Learn what your CIO peers have achieved on the data forefront.
In this session you’ll consider:
- Best practices for generating accessible, actionable data insights across the enterprise
- Leverage points for executing on data strategy for short-term wins and long-term impact
- Advanced analytics tools that improve decision-making, business process and customer experience
Executive boardrooms are intimate and interactive sessions designed to foster dynamic dialogue around a specific, strategic topic. These private, closed-door discussions encourage attendee participation and are limited to 15 attendees (seating priority is given to CIOs).
To reserve your seat, please contact: Tori Herson, tori.herson@evanta.com
11:15am - 11:25am Break
November 16, 2021
November 17, 2021
Location
Venue & Accommodation
Hilton MinneapolisA block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton Minneapolis at a reduced conference rate. Reservations should be made online or by calling 1-888-933-5363.
Deadline to book using the discounted room rate of $149 USD (plus tax) is November 1, 2021.
Community Program Manager
For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.