2025 SCSIM Summit


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SCSIM welcomes interested sponsors for the event.  Please contact us at Jake.westphal@scsim.org.


ABOUT THE SUMMIT

This summit delivers world class thought leadership, content and discussions that matter most to the future of IT, and insights to help navigate and overcome related organizational challenges.

THEME:  Leading in an Exponentially Faster World

WHY ATTEND?

SCSIM’s remarkable differentiator is that our membership is heavily comprised of industry practitioners which enables greater focus on key insights most important to CIOs.

Through collaboration with peers and an agenda designed by CIOs, we share best practices and relevant leadership topics influenced by various perspectives to support growth and enablement for our local audience.

WHO CAN ATTEND?

This summit is designed for senior IT and Cybersecurity leaders who are driving technology strategy and innovation in their organizations. It is ideal for CIOs, CISOs, CTOs, Vice Presidents of IT, and their direct reports—those responsible for shaping the future of IT, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Whether you’re leading teams, influencing company-wide strategy, or managing critical infrastructure, this event offers invaluable insights and peer collaboration tailored to your leadership role.


THE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Ron Minatrea Ron Minatrea  
Founder, Exponential Mindset Group

Fortune 100 Executive | International Speaker Founder of the Exponential Mindset Group

Ron Minatrea is a former Fortune 100 Executive and engaging keynote speaker. He is a proven leader with a 30-year track record of managing multi-billion-dollar operations and building high-performance teams.He also understands that as your success grows, so do the challenges and pressures you face as a leader. And often, the mindset and skills that got you where you are will not get you where you want to be.Ron is the innovator of the Exponential Mindset®, a leadership philosophy that fosters alignment and engagement as the foundation for scalable and sustainable growth.By shifting mindsets and adopting new beliefs, leaders can thrive in increasingly high-pressure, fast-paced environments while maintaining a healthy home and family life.Through practical keynotes and immersive experiences, Ron equips leaders with actionable tools to overcome obstacles and help shape the future of their organizations.

Anousheh Ansari
CEO, XPRIZE

Anousheh Ansari is the CEO of XPRIZE, the world’s leader in driving innovation to solve humanities grand challenges. She is a global presence in future-positive tech markets, a leader in the climate sector, and a recognized voice for women within STEM, entrepreneurship and tech industries.

Prior to XPRIZE, Ansari served as the CEO and Chairwoman of Prodea Systems, a leading Internet of Things (IoT) technology firm she co-founded in 2006. While under her leadership, the company earned recognition as one of Inc. Magazine’s 500 fastest-growing companies and Deloitte & Touche’s Fast 500 technology companies.

In 2006, Ansari captured headlines around the world when she embarked upon an 11-day space expedition to the International Space Station, accomplishing her childhood dream of becoming the first female private space explorer, first astronaut of Iranian descent, first Muslim woman in space, and fourth private explorer to visit space.

Ansari and her family sponsored XPRIZE’s first venture in 1994: the $10 million Ansari XPRIZE that ignited a new era for commercial spaceflight. She began serving on its Board of Directors and became CEO of XPRIZE in 2018, leading and scaling the foundation to its highest impact period to date. Under Ansari’s leadership, XPRIZE has awarded over $81M to innovators via its competitions, and has launched $361M in active competitions that span its seven grand challenge areas and will have significant impact on climate, health, and technological innovations. In its 30 years since founding, XPRIZE has launched 30 prizes offering over $500 million in prize purses, hosting over 35,000 innovators from around the world to participate in its competitions.

Beyond XPRIZE, Ansari serves as chair of the cyber community of Jabil, on the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Future Council, co-chair of the quantum track of GESDA, and is an advisor of the Open Quantum Institute. She is a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and serves on the board, a life member of the Association of Space Explorers, and is a Fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. As part of her life-long support for women in industry, Ansari co-founded The Billion Dollar Fund for Women, which successfully invested $1B in women-founded companies by 2020.

Ansari holds a bachelor’s degree in electronics and computer engineering from George Mason University, a master’s degree in electrical engineering from George Washington University, and honorary doctorates from George Mason University, Utah Valley University, and International Space University. She has received numerous honors, including the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader, Ellis Island Medal of Honor, STEM Leadership Hall of Fame, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Southwest Region, and the Horatio Alger Award.  

She published her memoir, My Dream of Stars, to share her life story as inspiration for young women around the world.


THE TOPICS


OPENING KEYNOTE: Igniting an Exponential Mindset ®

Ron Minatrea

Ron Minatreas Keynote, “Igniting an Exponential Mindset®,“ will guide leaders to shift from traditional command-and-control approaches to a more dynamic, influence-driven leadership style. Leveraging over 30 years of experience as a Fortune 100 executive, Ron will provide actionable insights on how to maximize impact, build stronger teams, and lead with clarity and purpose in a rapidly changing world. Attendees will walk away with strategies to enhance performance, expand their influence, and sustain success both at work and at home. 

Harnessing Quantum Computing for Future Innovations

This panel will delve into the potential of quantum computing to revolutionize industries and the challenges that come with it. Discussions can cover the current state of quantum technology, its future applications in cybersecurity, logistics, and beyond, and how organizations can prepare for and integrate quantum advancements. This topic is cutting-edge and will provide valuable insights for those looking to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Ethics at the Edge: Navigating the Complexities of AI Innovation 

As technology continues to accelerate at an unprecedented pace, organizations are facing increasing pressure to innovate while ensuring that their products and services align with societal values and norms. This panel discussion brings together experts in artificial intelligence to explore the most pressing ethical challenges associated with AI innovation.

From the impact of AI on individual privacy to the risks of bias and discriminatory practices in data-driven decision-making, our panel will delve into the complexities of ensuring transparency, accountability, and human well-being in an increasingly automated world. We'll examine the importance of prioritizing ethics in driving technological innovation and explore strategies for embedding these values throughout organizational culture.

CLOSING KEYNOTE: Leading in an Exponentially Faster World

Anousheh Ansari

Anousheh Ansari is the CEO of XPRIZE, the world’s leader in designing and operating incentive competitions to solve humanity’s grand challenges. The first female private space explorer and first Muslim woman in space, she is a global presence in future-positive tech markets and a resonant voice for women within STEM, business, and the entrepreneurial industries. 

Ansari and her family sponsored XPRIZE’s first venture in 1994: the $10 million Ansari XPRIZE that ignited a new era for commercial spaceflight. She began serving on its Board of Directors and became CEO of XPRIZE in 2018, leading and scaling the foundation to its highest impact period in its history. To date, XPRIZE has launched 30 prizes offering over $500 million in prize purses, hosting over 35,000 innovators from around the world to participate in its competitions.

Roundtable Discussions

Attendees will select one of five Interest tracks during registration. 

1. AI policies for 2025
What AI policies should I have THIS YEAR? What amount of organizational awareness?

2. Hybrid - Optimize it or kill it
How can we optimize in the age of hybrid workforce - balancing speed, responsiveness, quality, optimization, effectiveness, creativity, morale, etc.

3. Cybersecurity - What do I REALLY need to know
How much do I need to know to be effective and current? Am I clear on what I own, even if this is not in my job description?

4. I outsourced it AND I own it!
I have engaged multiple vendors but realize I can't outsource ACCOUNTABILITY. How do I succeed, where I own everything but don't run everything.

5. Moving FAST
What does it mean? What are the tradeoffs?

Women in the Boardroom

This panel will feature an esteemed group of female board members with IT leadership backgrounds, offering a unique perspective on driving innovation and inclusion at the highest levels of corporate governance. Held just two days before International Women's Day, this all-female panel will explore the challenges and opportunities for women advancing in technology and board leadership roles. Attendees will learn from these trailblazing leaders how to champion diversity and transform their organizations through inclusive, forward-thinking leadership

Moderator: Summer Taylor 

Panelist: Reshma Block

Panelist: Gioia Messinger


THE AGENDA

8:30am – 9:00am

Registration and Networking

9:00am – 9:15am

SCSIM Welcome- Lance Ralls/Jake Westphal/Kathy Linares

9:15am – 10:15am

AM Keynote: Ron Minatrea

10:20am – 10:50am

Topic 1 - Panel - Harnessing Quantum Computing for Future Innovations  

10:50am – 11:10am

Coffee, Networking Break - Meet our Sponsors

11:10am - 11:35am

Topic 2 - Roundtable Discussions 

11:35am - 12:00pm

Roundtable Facilitated Readback

12:00pm – 1:10pm

Lunch/Networking Break-Meet our Sponsors

1:10pm – 1:20pm

Philanthropy

1:20pm – 1:50pm

Topic 3 - Panel - Ethics at the Edge: Navigating the Complexities of AI Innovation

1:55pm – 2:25pm

Topic 4 - Panel - Women in the Boardroom

2:25pm - 2:45pm

Coffee, Networking Break- Meet our Sponsors

2:45pm- 3:45pm PM Keynote: Anousheh Ansari

3:45pm- 4:00pm

Wrap Up

4:00pm- 6:00pm

Cocktails/ Networking (Book Signing until 5:00pm)


OUR SPONSORS


GOLD

Everyday we prove ourselves to be different and stand out from the ranks of other companies. It takes focus to build our level of expertise and deliver unexpected results.


Please be sure you are logged in to access the member rate.


SCSIM welcomes interested sponsors for the event.  Please contact us at Jake.westphal@scsim.org.