Insights

There is something both inspiring and, I’ll admit, annoying about getting together with other C-level tech leaders at industry events. It’s inspiring because I get to learn about innovations being deployed and new approaches being taken to today’s complex problem solving, all from some of the brightest minds in the industry. On the flip side, having many thought leaders in one room together can be annoying because not every situation provides opportunities for discussion or counterarguments. I can’t jump up and challenge a panelist if there’s something I disagree with, nor am I able to interject an alternative point of view during a presentation. 

In some ways, this paradox makes these events much more interesting, as I get to sit with ideas that may differ greatly from my own. Luckily, there is always time for discussion later, and I love having the opportunity to dissect my own thoughts with the speaker and others after the main stage presentation or panel is over. 

I experienced this at the HMG Strategy 12th Annual Denver C-Level Technology Leadership Summit, where the event also sent me home with new ideas and questions to consider as I endeavor to improve the work I do for the edtech community. 

The Summit was created to explore innovation, leadership, and technology strategies for today’s economic challenges. This year’s single-day event provided new insights and opportunities for attendees to take back to their organizations for consideration. 

In addition to learning from my peers, I had the pleasure of speaking on a panel with three other CIOs and technology leaders about how to use cutting-edge technology and partnerships to boost business performance, innovation, and growth. This is especially important today as many businesses face widespread cost reductions in a difficult economic environment. 

Denis Zarr challenged the CIOs in the room to stay relevant through learning in this “supercycle” of tech change. Sineesh Keshav described what he faces in the logistics industry, which is not known for rapid tech adoption. Gaddam Ravikumar shared his DevOps leadership experience in an agile division of a large traditional company. Our moderator, Theresa Szczurek, integrated our experiences demonstrating her storytelling skills honed from her diverse background as a current entrepreneur and past CIO for the state of Colorado. 

Aside from my own panel of four, there were 22 other speakers at this event. From panels to fireside chats, each one of them had unique experiences and insights to offer, and I enjoyed getting to be in the room with them. Here are some of my biggest takeaways from what I both saw and heard at the event:

• Risk Management and Recovery: There are many dynamic threats to an organization’s ability to provide high quality services to its customers. As such, organizations need a regular approach to risk management that includes a graceful recovery plan. 
• AI-Ready Data: AI is everywhere, and the quality of AI output relies on the quality of its underpinning data. As leaders look to implement AI solutions into their organization, it is important to consider what data they have that is “AI ready” — and what data they can make “AI ready” — in order to have their solutions be successful.  
• The CIO and the CISO: During one of the panels, it was mentioned that a conflict of interest between the CIO and the CISO is inevitable; I disagree. I believe there is a great opportunity for individuals in these roles to work together for the overall success of the company. Tech leaders must collaborate with each other especially when they have conflicting priorities (e.g. fast feature deployment vs. risk management). 
• Women in Tech: Industry-wide, there are fewer women than men in technology roles, and that difference is reflected in technology leadership roles as well. When we   lack underrepresented groups in our leadership conversations, the work we can do is limited. It’s only by understanding a wider variety of experiences that we are able to make a deep and lasting impact. 

As we look to the new year, I am excited to see where new ideas, learnings, and even questions take me and my team. I look forward to implementing what I can, finding solutions when I get stuck, and attending more events that help provide us with more ways to move forward.  

Connect with Dr. Cano on LinkedIn to receive more frequent insights from her.