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Dear Fairfield Westchester SIM Members:
I hope your year is off to a great start!
2024 will likely be another year of volatility and change, including a presidential race and all the turmoil it will bring. 2023 will go down as the year that Generative AI first gave us all a peek into the future and the opportunity to take AI to the next level. I don't think anything has ever captured imaginations quite like this has. It is indeed an exciting year ahead!
Along with the opportunity presented by new technologies, challenges remain. Many of us are still faced with legacy systems to replace, the need to upgrade our internal infrastructure, issues in structured and unstructured data to unravel, and cybersecurity threats, which are growing every day. In addition, overarching business strategies and goals require more from IT leaders every day.
As you move forward with your unique challenges, remember that you are not alone. You are a part of the Fairfield Westchester SIM chapter, which provides a powerful opportunity to network and support one another. Our monthly member meetings allow us to meet and engage with other members. Our January meeting addressed the rising cyber threat with an expert panel from inside and outside our Chapter – attending members engaged with the panel in a rich Q&A discussion and then with each other following the program. Our February 29 virtual meeting provides an opportunity to learn from others who have already implemented Gen AI use cases and have offered to share their experience.
We also have regular virtual POD meetings for members to meet and discuss various topics in an informal setting. Our "members only" LinkedIn site provides a place to reach out and start a technology or leadership discussion or even ask for help with a challenge you are facing.
In 2023, SIM announced the SIM Leadership Institute, building upon and expanding on RLF. SIM also expanded its Interest Groups or SIGs, tackling topics like Enterprise Architecture, IT Procurement, DigiRisk, and Rethink Everything. There is a SIM Women group and a Members in Transition group. The Chapter also offers a CyberSecurity SIG, regular Women in Leadership meetings, and MIT meetings. Watch for emails from SIM and FWSIM to learn more about these new offerings.
Remember, most SIM and FWSIM offerings come through our members' volunteer time and efforts – your peers within the Chapter and across the country. What brings all of this to life is your engagement in the discussions, on program panels, in Q&A sessions, PODs, or whatever SIM interaction you are participating in.
As you face the year ahead, remember that you are part of the FWSIM community – a strong network of senior technology executives and leaders who can provide wisdom and experience when you need it most. I've heard from many of you that the networking, relationships, and friendships you've come to cherish in the FWSIM community are extremely valuable. When you participate in any of our offerings, please engage with your peers, expand your network of contacts and friends, and, most of all, don't be shy!
I extend special thanks to our FWSIM board who tirelessly volunteer their time to help our community thrive. I especially want to thank a few who have left the board this year. Our sincerest thanks go to Montos Vakirtzis, Dr. Jonathan Hill, and Rafi Mohamed. We will truly miss their engagement and commitment to the board.
If you have suggestions or feedback, please participate in our post-meeting surveys, email us at membership@fwsim.org, or reach out to me or any board member personally.
In closing, thank you for your membership and engagement in chapter activities and with each other – your active engagement brings the greatest value. Below, I've included a link to our 2024 calendar. Please plan to attend our member meetings whenever you can.
I look forward to seeing you and wish you a successful 2024!
Vinny Licht
President
Fairfield Westchester Chapter SIM
2024 FWSIM Member Events
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