NEW Digital Leaders Conference
Kickstart Your Digital Transformation Plans
Join us for the Northeast Wisconsin Digital Leaders Conference, an exclusive event for members of the NEW Digital Alliance and Women in Technology Wisconsin. Hosted at Kimberly-Clark’s Neenah Conference Center, this conference will bring together top IT professionals and industry leaders to explore cutting-edge strategies and trends driving the digital landscape.
Key Topics:
- Digital Enablers: Explore the technologies and tools empowering organizations to drive efficiency and innovation.
- Building Talent: Gain insights on attracting, retaining, and upskilling talent in today’s competitive market.
- Leadership in the Digital Era: Learn how to lead transformational initiatives and build high-performance teams.
- Modern & Emerging Technology: Delve into the latest tech trends reshaping industries—from AI and IoT to cloud computing and beyond.
- Digital Platforms: Understand how to leverage digital ecosystems to scale operations and enhance customer experiences.
- Data Center Industry Growth: Discover how the demand for data centers is evolving and impacting the future of IT infrastructure.
This event is open exclusively to members of the NEW Digital Alliance and Women in Technology. Don’t miss this opportunity to network with fellow leaders and stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of digital technology!
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November 7, 2024
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8:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
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Kimberly-Clark Neenah Conference Center
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This conference is complimentary and FREE TO ATTEND. Lunch is provided and sponsored by Thrivent.
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Conference Schedule
| 8:00 – 8:45 a.m. |
Check-In & Networking |
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| 8:45 – 9:00 a.m. |
Welcome & Announcements |
| 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. |
Breakout Session 1 |
| 9:30 – 9:45 a.m. |
Break/Transition |
| 9:45 – 10:15 a.m. |
Breakout Session 2 |
| 10:15 – 10:30 a.m. |
Break/Transition |
| 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. |
Breakout Session 3 |
| 11:00 – 11:45 a.m. |
Panel |
| 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
Lunch/Closing |
Breakout Session Descriptions
Breakout Session 1
People are the Worst: Inspiring Adoption when No One Wants to Change
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In this engaging breakout session, we’ll delve into the critical intersection of technology and people. Whether you’re an Executive Sponsor, Tech Lead, or Adoption Enthusiast, understanding how to navigate the human aspects of technology initiatives is essential for success. Join us as we explore strategies, best practices, and real-world examples to empower your teams and drive project outcomes. |
Navigating the Shifting IT Labor Market: Trends, Insights, and Best Practices
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Carex will provide valuable insights into the evolving labor market, with a specific focus on the Information Technology sector. They will examine key labor market data and trends at both the national and state levels, exploring how these shifts have impacted hiring and retention strategies. Additionally, Carex will offer insights into what the data suggests about the future workforce landscape and share best practices for hiring and retaining technology talent based on their experience working with a broad network of partners. |
Inside Our Digital Transformation: A Panel on the SAP S/4HANA Journey
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Join us for an insightful panel discussion where we explore the recent implementation of SAP S/4HANA, a major milestone in J. J. Keller and Kimberly-Clark’s digital transformation journey. In this session, we will discuss the challenges, successes, and key learnings from the project. Featuring a panel conversation with experts from J. J. Keller and Kimberly-Clark, we will dive into the details of the implementation process and share valuable insights for organizations embarking on similar digital transformation initiatives. |
Transforming Reporting and Analytics: Thrivent’s Cloud-Driven Data Platform
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Mike Price, Engineering Manager, Thrivent |
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In this breakout session, we will showcase how Thrivent leverages cloud technologies like Snowflake, Databricks, DBT, and Airflow to transform the delivery of our Reporting and Analytics solutions. Our team has developed an in-house data platform that automates the creation and orchestration of data pipelines using Databricks and Scala. We will present how this platform supports our reporting needs and provide an overview of its key features. The session will include informative slides and a live demo to illustrate the platform in action. |
How to Bring Executives Along the Artificial Intelligence Hype Cycle
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Brian Leslie, Vice President Information Technology, Faith Technologies Incorporated (FTI)
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In this breakout session, we will discuss how FTI successfully engaged and guided executives through the Artificial Intelligence hype cycle. The presentation will cover the strategic development of AI initiatives to support business outcomes, the importance of storytelling, investment strategies, and technology delivery. We’ll explore key AI technologies, including Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, large language models, machine learning, and computer vision, highlighting how these tools are driving real value for businesses. Join us to learn how to effectively bring executives on board with AI and integrate it into your organization’s strategy. |
Breakout Session 2
Culture – Mental Health, Focus & Excellence
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Josh Shafman, Partner, Tanduo Technical Partners |
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This breakout session will explore how we have intentionally designed our culture to foster inclusion, belonging, and mental well-being, while building high performing leaders’. We’ll discuss the strategies behind building culture through minimum behaviors, growth mindset, and an “out in the open remote culture”. Join us to learn how a strong culture can drive both employee well-being and organizational success. |
Digital Transformation with 5G: T-Mobile’s Role in Industry 4.0 & IoT Solutions
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Shawna Witek, Senior Manager IoT Solutions, T-Mobile for Business
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In this breakout session, we will explore how Industry 4.0, driven by the adoption of 5G technology, is transforming sectors like manufacturing, transportation and logistics, smart cities, and retail. T-Mobile is at the forefront of this revolution, leveraging 5G connectivity to enable digital transformation across these industries. We’ll showcase a variety of Internet of Things (IoT) applications tailored to the unique needs of different verticals, with the goal of simplifying the deployment of smart solutions and making advanced technologies more accessible to a broader audience. |
You’re Not Ready for AI: Let’s Talk
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In this dynamic presentation, we’ll discuss the current state of AI readiness, highlighting key areas where businesses and individuals need to focus to stay ahead. This includes understanding the ethical implications, organizational change management, and adopting AI tools and technologies effectively. Join us to learn practical strategies for preparing for an AI-driven future, ensuring you and your organization are well-equipped to harness the power of AI and thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape. |
Navigating the Rise of Edge Data Centers
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Nick Hyland, Enterprise Account Executive, ark data centers |
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This breakout session will provide an overview of the rapid growth in the data center market, with a specific focus on edge markets. We will also explore how ark is strategically positioned to support AI workloads, high-performance computing stacks, and address evolving industry trends. Attendees will gain insights into the future of data centers and how they are adapting to meet the demands of cutting-edge technologies.
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Beyond IT: How Broadband Access is Transforming Business in Wisconsin
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Barbara Koldos, Vice President – Business Development, New North, Inc. |
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This session is not about IT…well, kind of! While this session isn’t strictly about IT, broadband access is a game-changer for your business. From enabling remote work and supporting AI and robotics implementations to attracting new talent, having robust broadband is essential! Curious about the latest broadband buzz in Wisconsin? Join us to uncover what partners in the New North region are doing to prepare for the $1B+ BEAD funding that the Wisconsin Broadband Office is deploying towards the “Internet for All” initiative. |
Breakout Session 3
Unlocking AI Integration – A Step-by-Step Framework for Wisconsin Businesses
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Cvetko Georgevich, AI Consultant, StellarBlue.ai |
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This presentation explores the essential steps for integrating AI into your business operations. Studies reveal that many Wisconsin companies face challenges due to limited knowledge of AI integration. This presentation provides a structured framework covering key areas: preparing your business database, fostering an AI-friendly culture, and measuring ROI. Gain practical insights to effectively organize and implement AI in your workflows, positioning your business for future success. |
Empowering IT-Cultivating Talent for Continuous Learning & Strategic Innovation
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This breakout session will highlight the critical importance of continuous learning and adaptability in today’s rapidly evolving business environment, with a focus on the dual role of IT as both a technical and strategic enabler. We will emphasize the need to develop talent capable of leveraging digital tools to drive innovation and efficiency, positioning IT not just as a support function, but as a key driver of trade and economic growth. Join us to explore how IT can be harnessed to unlock new opportunities and propel businesses forward. |
Driving Systems Resiliency in Times of Unpresented Change
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John Kreul, Senior Vice President, Chief Information & Digital Officer, Jewelers Mutual
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The increasing use of digital services (cloud, software as a service, API’s, AI, custom development, on-premises, social, mobile) is driving both business value and business interconnectivity -– how do you keep the new digital ecosystem running with resilience each and every day. |
Building Agile Product Teams: Strategies, Challenges, and Success Stories
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In this breakout session, we will discuss how we organize our internal teams as multi-client agile product teams, allowing us to efficiently manage multiple projects and clients simultaneously. We’ll cover the advantages and challenges of this approach, share key wins and lessons learned, and explore how agile methodologies have helped us deliver value more effectively. |
Navigating the IT Leadership Landscape as a Woman
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Lisa Bowers, Account Executive – State and Local Government and Education & DeAnne Anderson, Revenue Operations Sales Director, Core BTS |
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In today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, the role of women in IT leadership is more crucial—and challenging—than ever. Our discussion will dive into the unique experiences that women face as they ascend the ranks in IT, shedding light on both the hurdles and the opportunities that come with these roles. Join us for an engaging session that not only addresses the current landscape but also empowers women to lead with confidence and vision in the tech world.
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