November 2025 Monthly Meeting: "Building Data Strategies That Actually Work in the Age of AI"
2025-11-13 17:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Data is the foundation of all AI Systems. Without clean data, an AI system will not give you reliable results. But how do we ensure the data is accurate, clean, organized, managed, and governed?
Join us on Nov 13th for a Panel Discussion on “Building Data Strategies That Actually Work in the Age of AI”. This informative panel discussion will discuss data-related topics, including:

Data as an AI Enabler: Pitfalls and Accelerators?
Data Management for Security, Privacy, Compliance
Data Democratization
Master Data Management

Moderator:

Alex Levy, Managing Principal, Stefanini Group

Panelists:

Aleksi Aaltonen, Associate Professor of Information Systems at Stevens Institute of Technology
Gabriel Martins, Director, Data & Analytics, Stefanini Group
Richard Penalva, Director, Business Intelligence & Analytics, Subaru America

Thank you to Stefanini Group for sponsoring the November 2025 chapter meeting. We are grateful for their support of our chapter! Agenda
5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 Presentation and Q&A
8:00 Networking and Members In Transition

Members In Transition (M.I.T.) In-Person Meeting - 2025-11-13
2025-11-13 20:00 - 21:00 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Are you in transition? Are you thinking of changing positions? Is your company hiring? Then register for our meeting! This meeting is open and complimentary to all members, whether you are looking for a new position or want to help your colleagues.
Let us know if you are currently in transition so that we may keep you apprised of potential opportunities as we hear about them. Email Mark Beatty or Giacomo Mascillaro, the hosts of the meeting.

More information is available on the MIT message site and our information page. Also, check out SIM National’s database of I.T. executive jobs, at careers.simnet.org.

To register, select your complimentary ticket below.

SIM "Rethink Everything" SIG: "Unleashing Innovation: How Robotics is Powering Digital Transformation"
2025-11-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
About the Session:
Join us for an inspiring webinar featuring Chad Wright, Chief Information Officer at Boston Dynamics —one of the world’s leading robotics innovators. With a proven track record as an award-winning IT executive and digital transformation leader, Chad brings deep expertise in leveraging technology to drive business results and foster creative problem-solving.

Are you ready to unlock the next level of innovation in your organization? Chad Wright will guide you through how robotics and IoT are revolutionizing digital transformation across industries.

Discover how forward-thinking companies are overcoming challenges like labor shortages, outdated equipment, and worker safety concerns by embracing cutting-edge robotics solutions. Learn how these technologies are streamlining data capture and management, while opening new possibilities for growth.

What You’ll Experience:

Real-World Success Stories: See how robotics automation is making a difference in manufacturing, industrial inspection, and beyond.

Innovative Strategies: Find out how deploying robotics can free up your team to focus on high-impact tasks, while robots handle hazardous or repetitive work.

Actionable Insights: Gain practical tips from Chad Wright for integrating robotics into your digital transformation journey and maximizing your organization’s potential.

Whether you’re a business leader, innovator, or tech enthusiast, this session with Chad Wright will show you how robotics can become a powerful ally in your quest for operational excellence and transformational growth.

Don’t miss this opportunity to reimagine what’s possible—register now and be part of the future of digital transformation!

Speaker:

Chad Wright
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
BostonDynamics

COST TO ATTEND:

Free for SIM Members.

Employees of SIM Members are welcome to attend for free

ATTENDEE SUPPORT:
If you have trouble registering or need to renew your SIM membership, please email sim@simnet.org.
If you require special assistance of any kind, please call us at 800.387.9746 or email us at rethink@simnet.org.

Register here

CIO Roundtable - 11/21/25
2025-11-21 08:30 - 11:00

Members In Transition (M.I.T.) Videoconference
2025-11-24 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-08 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-22 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-01-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-01-20 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-02 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-16 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-02 13:00 - 14:00 | Webinar
Are you in transition? Are you thinking of changing positions? Is your company hiring? Then register for our meeting! This meeting is open and complimentary to all members, whether you are looking for a new position or want to help your colleagues.
Let us know if you are currently in transition so that we may keep you apprised of potential opportunities as we hear about them. Email Mark Beatty or Giacomo Mascillaro, the hosts of the meeting.

More information is available on the MIT message site and our information page. Also, check out SIM National’s database of I.T. executive jobs, at careers.simnet.org.
Meetings will be held every other Monday. Schedule permitting, we will be joined at most meetings by Dan Counts, Certified Career Coach and co-leader of the West Coast SIM MIT chapter.

To register, select your complimentary ticket below.

SIM Leadership Series: Chad Wright, C.I.O. of Boston Dynamics
2025-12-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Chad Wright: Architecting Digital Transformation in Robotics & Beyond

As an award-winning technology executive with over two decades of progressive leadership experience, Chad Wright has established himself as a visionary in digital transformation, particularly at the intersection of robotics and enterprise technology.

Currently serving as Chief Information Officer at Boston Dynamics, Chad was the company’s first CIO, tasked with creating and executing enterprise IT strategy from the ground up. His leadership has been instrumental in delivering comprehensive digital transformation initiatives encompassing ERP, eCommerce, CRM, and HCM systems, while establishing robust information security frameworks that support groundbreaking human-robot collaboration.

Prior to Boston Dynamics, Chad held senior leadership positions at Amazon Robotics and athenahealth, where he consistently demonstrated excellence in enterprise applications strategy and implementation. His technical expertise spans ERP systems, business intelligence, agile methodologies, and cybersecurity—complemented by a talent for building high-performing teams and creating results-oriented partnerships across organizations.

Beyond his corporate responsibilities, he serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at Bentley University, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in IT Project Management and Business Systems Analysis.

A graduate of the College of the Holy Cross (BA, Mathematics and Computer Science) and Bentley University (MS, Computer Information Systems), Chad combines academic excellence with practical business acumen. His approach to technology leadership emphasizes collaboration, mentorship, and problem-solving with a positive attitude and inquiring mind.

In this session, Chad will share insights from his journey from technical foundations to C-suite leadership, offering practical guidance on creating transformative technology strategies while building and mentoring diverse, high-performing teams. Join us for an opportunity to learn from a leader who embodies the balance of technical expertise, business alignment, and people-centric leadership essential for today’s technology executives.

ReThinkers Kick Off Event - Research Study on the Future IT Workforce and AI
2025-12-05 11:00 | Webinar
About the Session:
The Society for Information Management (SIM) Academic Council is conducting a study on how Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is reshaping the IT workforce. We would like to gather the perspectives from the ReThinkers cohort in focus groups that will provide valuable insight into this critical and rapidly evolving area.
This study seeks to go beyond popular media coverage and anecdotes by directly interacting with SIM members to produce an empirical-based study focused on how AI is truly impacting IT organizations, workforce skills, and leadership practices.
Participants can gain early visibility into how other SIM member organizations are adopting and adapting to GenAI, compare their workforce strategies against industry peers facing similar challenges, and have an opportunity to share their perspective and organizational realities to shape this evidence-based research.
About the Session:
Pat O’Connell
Pat O’Connell leads Conall Coaching Services (CCS), a corporate and career coaching
company that empowers organizations and individuals to excel in achieving their goals. Before
founding CCS, he ran TCG, a consulting and honest broking firm.
An experienced consultant, coach, and educator, Pat specializes in building high-performing
teams, accelerating high-potential professionals into senior leadership roles, and transforming
valuable but challenging performers into positive contributors. His work is defined by custom,
practical solutions tailored to each client’s needs.
Pat has long been active in the non-profit community. He currently serves as Academic Chair for
SIM Metro NYC and sits on SIM’s National Academic Council.
Sean Masterman
Sean Masterman, Ed.D has been a technology leader delivering value for over 25 years to organizations like Target, Wells Fargo, Rollerblade, and UCare, and a higher educator for over 15 years at Concordia University- Saint Paul, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Sioux Falls. He is passionate about helping prepare youth to thrive in the future workforce alongside AI and robotics.

COST TO ATTEND:
Free for SIM Members.
Employees of SIM Members are welcome to attend for free
Please sign in to receive member pricing for you and your staff.
ATTENDEE SUPPORT:
If you have trouble registering or need to renew your SIM membership, please email sim@simnet.org.
If you require special assistance of any kind, please call us at 800.387.9746 or email us at rethink@simnet.org.

Register Here

SIM DigiRisk SIG - Stop Explaining AI Governance. Start Proving Its Value
2025-12-10 12:30 - 13:30
When:
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
12:30 – 1:30 PM ET
Where:
Virtual
United States
Contact:
Michelle Gibson
digirisk@simnet.org

About the Session:
While your competitors are still debating AI policies, leading companies are turning governance into a competitive advantage—and the market is noticing.
2026’s defining question isn’t “Can we deploy AI?” It’s “Can we scale AI across the enterprise without blowing up?” Boards are demanding answers. Regulators are watching. One misstep costs millions in market cap.
In this collaborative webcast with the DigiRisk and RTE SIGs, you’ll discover:

The governance capabilities that separate leaders from laggards – and what many companies are doing wrong
How to navigate legal, risk, and compliance without becoming the bottleneck – bust the myth that “AI Governance Kills Innovation”
A board presentation framework that works – connecting AI investments directly to revenue growth, cost reduction, and risk mitigation
Real obstacles and how top performers overcome them – from data disasters to organizational resistance

Come away knowing how to align the C-suite around value creation, not just risk management.
About the Speakers:
IT Lawyer at Peter S. Vogel, PC aka VOGEL IT LAW
Peter S. Vogel is a lawyer at VOGEL IT LAW (www.vogelitlaw.com) aka Peter S. Vogel, PC. Before practicing law he worked as a computer programmer, received a Master’s in Computer Science, and taught graduate courses in information systems.
Peter has negotiated hundreds of IT, eCommerce, and Cybersecurity contracts and had trials around the US on unsuccessful software implementations, misappropriation of trade secrets, copyright infringement, software patent infringement, and eCommerce Internet disputes. In June 2023 Peter was one of 7 lawyers (out of 113,000 lawyers in Texas) appointed to the State Bar of Texas AI Work Group, and in June 2025 Peter was one of 20 lawyers appointed to the new State Bar of Texas Emerging Technology Committee.
For more than 30 years Peter has been an Arbitrator and Mediator with the American Arbitration Association, and a Tech List Member of the Silicon Valley Arbitration & Mediation Center. Currently Peter is the General Counsel of the North Texas Information Systems Security Association a Cybersecurity Training Group and he is also a Fellow of the Society for Information Management -Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter a CIO Group.
For 12 years Peter served as the Founding Chair of the Texas Supreme Court Judicial Committee on Information Technology which is responsible for helping automate the Texas court system and creating the Texas eFiling System.
Peter has taught courses at the SMU Dedman School of Law for more than 25 years including courses on eDiscovery and the Law of eCommerce. Many of Peter’s topics are discussed on his Internet, IT & E-Discovery blog www.vogelitlaw.com/blog.

George Trujillo
George Trujillo is a recognized industry leader in driving measurable business value through data and AI governance. With deep experience aligning executive vision and building business champions, he helps organizations transform governance from a control function into a catalyst for innovation and enterprise trust. George currently leads business value engagements across North America for Collibra, an industry leader in data and AI governance, unstructured AI, data cataloging, lineage, observability, and quality.
For the last 17 years, George has been responsible for large-scale data and AI initiatives across financial services, e-commerce, and marketing technology as the senior executive responsible for the initiatives, the enterprise global architect responsible for technical delivery or as a specialist in business value. He is known for connecting strategy, architecture, and business outcomes to help enterprises govern data and AI responsibly while accelerating digital transformation.

Blake Holman, Managing Partner, JJH Enterprises, LLC, SIM DigiRisk SIG Co-Chair
Blake Holman is a seasoned Chief Information Officer with over two decades of executive experience leading digital transformation, cybersecurity,
and technology strategy across multiple industries. He currently serves as the Chair of the DFW Society for Information Management (SIM) Board, and has long been recognized as a collaborative leader and mentor within the technology community. Beyond the boardroom, Blake has a strong record of service and leadership in both professional and community organizations. He is a former President of the Dallas Rugby Football Club and serves on numerous non-profit and volunteer boards, consistently demonstrating his commitment to developing people and advancing organizational excellence. Blake is a Cialdini Certified Influence Practitioner, Coach, and Trainer, credentialed by the Cialdini Institute, where he helps leaders apply the science of ethical influence to drive alignment, engagement, and results. He is also a Maxwell Certified Team Member and DISC Consultant, leveraging John Maxwell’s proven leadership frameworks and behavioral communication models to help executives and teams elevate their effectiveness. Blake combines the rigor of an IT executive with the heart of a teacher — helping leaders communicate with clarity, influence ethically, and lead with integrity in an era of constant change.

COST TO ATTEND:
Free for SIM Members.
$30 for Non-Members.
Employees of SIM Members are welcome to attend for free – please email digirisk@simnet.org for a promo code to register.
Please sign in to receive member pricing for you and your staff.
ATTENDEE SUPPORT:
If you have trouble registering or need to renew your SIM membership, please email sim@simnet.org.If you require special assistance of any kind, please call us at 800.387.9746 or email us at digirisk@simnet.org.

REGISTER HERE

SIM Women Webinar - December 2025
2025-12-10 15:00
When:
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
3pm Eastern
Where:
Zoom
United States
Contact:
Kristen Lamoreaux
Kristen@LamoreauxSearch.com
(908) 268-9961

SIM Women is a network inside the SIM national association that promotes mentorship, communication, and career development amongst the female members of SIM. We are excited to host our next webinar on Wednesday, December 10th at 3pm ET.
Join author and executive leader Antonio Taylor for an empowering discussion on Stop Trying to Be a Leader, a book that challenges traditional ideas of leadership and invites everyone to lead authentically from who they are. This session explores how confidence, clarity, and connection form the foundation of true leadership—beyond titles or expectations. Together, we’ll unpack how to quiet self-doubt, confront imposter syndrome, and redefine what leadership means on your own terms. It’s an honest, uplifting conversation designed to help you show up boldly and unapologetically in every area of life.
Antonio Taylor is an executive leader, author, and speaker dedicated to helping individuals unlock their potential through authenticity and purpose-driven leadership. With a background in technology, business strategy, and personal development, Antonio brings a grounded yet inspiring approach to growth and empowerment. A Six Sigma Black Belt and ITIL-certified professional, he blends practical insight with heartfelt storytelling to help others lead with confidence and impact.
Register Here

ReThink Everything! SIG: Turning Cyber Risk into Boardroom Confidence
2025-12-11 12:00 - 13:00
When:
Thursday, December 11th
12:00 – 1:00pm ET
Where:
Virtual
United States
Contact:
Bill Waas
billw@simnet.org

Turning Cyber Risk into Boardroom Confidence: Quantifying risk in a way all stakeholders can understand
Today’s boardrooms don’t just want to know if you’re secure—they want to know how cyber risk decisions drive business outcomes. Yet too often, cybersecurity metrics stop at compliance checkboxes or technical jargon that fails to connect with strategy.
This discussion will explore how organizations can transform cyber governance and risk data into actionable intelligence that fuels better decision-making, builds trust with leadership, and creates measurable business advantage.
We’ll feature insights from a leading cyber governance expert, a customer who’s operationalized these principles, and a facilitator guiding the conversation through real-world challenges and solutions.
At the center of this discussion is Metrics that Matter — a practical framework and solution developed by Consortium Networks that helps CISOs, risk leaders, and boards speak the same language when it comes to cybersecurity performance and value.

REGISTER HERE

SIM Membership Orientation Webinar
2025-12-15 16:00 - 16:30, 2026-02-16 16:00 - 16:30 | Webinar
Hello, New Members!
First and foremost, thank you for being an essential part of the SIM Family!

We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Member Orientation webinar, where you can unlock the full potential of your membership. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore the networking and professional development programs available at both the Chapter and National levels.

It will be an open mic program, where we will explore one SIM program in detail, but more importantly, we will answer your questions about any of the programs SIM offers.

Join your host, Bill Waas – Director of Enterprise Memberships, to learn how you can make the most of your SIM experience. We can’t wait to see you there!

REGISTER NOW!

2025 Holiday Celebration
2025-12-19 18:00 - 22:00 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
?Join us at our flagship SOCIAL EVENT OF THE YEAR!?
Get ready to ring in the season in style! We invite you to our annual Holiday Party on Friday, December 19, 2025, at The Madison Hotel. Enjoy an evening of festive cheer and delightful company in the elegant ambiance of one of Morristown’s finest venues.
? Date: Friday, December 19, 2025
? Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
? Location: The Madison Hotel
? Cost: $110, covers the cost of the SIM NJ Member and their guest
? Entertainment: The evening will be filled with the soulful sounds of holiday jazz by the Adam Machaskee Quintet. From timeless holiday classics to jazzy renditions of your favorite seasonal songs, their music will set the perfect backdrop for a memorable night.
✨ Highlights:
Festive cocktails and delicious bites
Live jazz music to set the holiday mood
Beautifully decorated surroundings, capturing the magic of the season
Come dressed to impress, ready to celebrate the holidays with us! Don’t miss this festive occasion with family, friends, and colleagues to share in the joy of the season!

Register for 2026 New York Metro Rising Leader Forum (R.L.F.)
2026-01-01 | Webinar
Register before February 9, 2025 to receive a $500 early registration discount.
If someone in your company is a SIM member, please contact SLI Support Team prior to registering for a promotional code to receive the SIM member discount.

The following benefits are included with your Rising Leader Forum registration:

Six two-day meetings spread over eight months
Session Dates:

Session 1: March 10 – March 11
Session 2: April 28 – April 29
Session 3: June 9 – June 10
Session 4: July 28 – July 29
Session 5: September 15 – September 16
Session 6: October 27 – October 28

Individual national SIM membership for each graduate in the SIM Chapter of their choice for 18 months from July 2025 through December 2026
All books, materials, speakers and activities
All breakfasts, lunches and refreshments

Location: Hotel Seville Nomad; New York City, NY

SIM Work, Version 4 SIG: "Future-Ready AI: Your Guide to Thriving - Coding with AI: From English to Applications"
2026-01-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Future-Ready AI: Your Guide to Thriving in Work 4.0 (2025-26)
The Future-Ready AI series takes you on a dynamic journey into the evolving world of artificial intelligence—demystifying the hype, revealing practical possibilities, and empowering you with hands-on skills. Across five interactive sessions, you’ll explore AI myths, uncover breakthrough applications, experiment with cutting-edge tools, and discover strategies to amplify human potential through AI. Whether you’re an AI skeptic, enthusiast, or strategist, this series equips you to navigate the future of work with clarity, confidence, and a competitive edge.

October 14, 2025 – AI Unmasked: Separating Truth from Hype
Cut through the noise and separate AI fact from fiction. This session busts the most common AI myths so you can make informed decisions for your work and strategy.
November 11, 2025 – From Tools to Transformation: The True Power of AI (90 mins)
Go beyond the buzzwords with an immersive dive into AI’s real-world applications. Discover possibilities that extend the latest tools into transformative business outcomes.
January 13, 2026 – Coding with AI: From English to Applications
Roll up your sleeves for a hands-on AI coding experience. Learn how to harness AI’s creative and technical potential in real time using plain English, no matter your skill level.
February 10, 2026 – Autonomous AI Agents: Transforming How We Work
Meet the AI agents that are reshaping how work gets done. Explore how these autonomous systems are driving innovation, efficiency, and new opportunities.
March 10, 2026 – Working Smarter Together: The Human-AI Edge
Unlock the full potential of human-AI collaboration. This session reveals strategies for balancing creativity, ethics, and productivity in the age of AI.

About The Speakers:

Elizabeth Decker, the visionary Founder and CEO of Braided Strategy, brings
over two decades of experience in steering complex technology and business
projects to success. Her career is marked by a series of transformative
achievements in environments characterized by mergers, acquisitions, and
challenging project landscapes. Elizabeth's unique approach combines
technical acumen with a profound understanding of human dynamics, enabling
her to craft solutions that are precisely designed to meet business objectives.

Mike Kritzman is the founder and CEO of SkillNet, a leading platform for
managing workforce skills, certifications, and personalized training.
With extensive experience in IT workforce development, Mike helps
organizations optimize talent strategies by solving skill gaps with
personalized learning that drives performance improvements.
Mike regularly advises IT leaders on building agile, future-ready teams
through intelligent skills data. SkillNet is leveraging AI-driven insights.

Stuart Kerr is a veteran technology executive and AI strategist with over 30
years of experience in enterprise software and SaaS. He has led two
software firms through successful IPOs and has served on the boards of five
others, bringing deep expertise in scaling innovation-driven businesses. His
current work with SkillNet focuses on applying cutting-edge AI to accelerate
human learning and skills development at scale, empowering individuals and
organizations to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.

Sean Masterman, Ed.D has been a technology leader delivering value
for over 25 years to organizations like Target, Wells Fargo, Rollerblade,
and UCare, and a higher educator for over 15 years at Concordia
University- Saint Paul, the University of Minnesota, and the University of
Sioux Falls. He is passionate about helping prepare youth to thrive in the
future workforce alongside AI and robotics.
Register here

CIO Roundtable - 01/23/26
2026-01-23 08:30 - 11:00

SIM NJ Networking - Happy Hour in Bridgewater
2026-01-29 17:30 - 20:00 | Seasons 52 Bridgewater, Bridgewater Commons Mall, Bridgewater, United States
Please join us for a Happy Hour in Bridgewater on Wednesday, January 29, at 5:30 PM at Seasons 52. The Happy Hour will be co-hosted by SIM NJ and Informatics Technologies, and aims to connect colleagues. Come on out and enjoy some refreshments while making new friends and reconnecting with old friends.
Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM onwards
Location: Seasons 52, Bridgewater Commons Mall, Bridgewater, NJ
The Happy Hour will be sponsored by Informatics Technologies.
Please RSVP to pcirullo@simnj.org if you can attend so we can plan appropriately.

Members In Transition (M.I.T.)
2026-02-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Webinar

Feb 2026 Monthly Meeting: "Real AI, Real ROI: What’s Actually Working Today"
2026-02-12 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Join us for a candid, strategy focused conversation on real AI implementations that organizations—from small businesses to large enterprises—are deploying today. Our panel, which includes three SIM NJ members, will move beyond theory to showcase practical solutions, the resources required, common pitfalls, obstacles overcome, and the measurable ROI achieved. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask direct questions and walk away with actionable insights for their own AI roadmap.
Thank you to Accelerated Information Systems for sponsoring the February 2026 chapter meeting. We are grateful for their support of our chapter. About the Panelists
Gene Barskiy: As Vice President, Technology, Gene is responsible for ensuring that ADL’s assets are secured, systems support our strategic goals and that our IT team provides top-notch service to our employees. Gene is a seasoned IT professional with extensive experience leading high-performance teams in both Fortune 1000 and mid-size private companies. He has a track record of implementing cloud-based systems, cybersecurity programs and leveraging technology to improve business decisions. Prior to joining ADL, Gene spent 18 years at International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. in various global roles.
Most recently he led IT functions at mid-size private international companies Fisk Alloy Inc., an international wire and conductor manufacturer for medical devices, aerospace and defense industries, and Berje Inc., a global specialty chemicals manufacturer and distributor. In addition to his extensive experience and leadership skills, Gene is also an active member of several IT industry organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors for SIM NJ and SIM NJ Foundation.
Gene received a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Baruch College CUNY and an MBA from Rutgers University
Dutt Kalluri: Dutt Kalluri is a visionary technology executive and globally recognized thought leader in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and operational modernization. With over two decades of experience at the intersection of business strategy, technology, and innovation, he has guided Fortune 500 enterprises through transformative journeys that redefine how organizations operate and create value.
As Chief Digital Officer at Celsior, Dutt leads the firm’s mission to architect digital operating platforms that fuse data, automation, and agentic AI to deliver measurable business impact across financial services, healthcare, and industrial sectors. His work centers on building intelligent enterprises that integrate human ingenuity with AI-powered systems, accelerating decision velocity and operational resilience.
Previously, as a C-Level Executive at Broadridge Financial Solutions, Dutt spearheaded modernization initiatives that advanced automation, analytics, and cloud adoption across global financial operations — driving efficiency, compliance, and competitive differentiation. Earlier, as Global Practice Leader at Deloitte, he led multidisciplinary teams across North America, Europe, and Asia in delivering large-scale digital programs for banking, insurance, and manufacturing clients — establishing himself as a trusted partner to boards and C-suites navigating digital reinvention.
Dutt is the author of Mastering Digital Transformation, a seminal work that bridges the gap between legacy enterprise systems and AI-native operating models. His writing and speaking engagements emphasize pragmatic innovation—how to turn disruption into disciplined execution and sustainable growth.
Renowned for his balanced perspective that values both human craftsmanship and technological advancement, Dutt continues to shape the global dialogue on the future of work, digital labor, and intelligent enterprises. He is a frequent keynote speaker, advisor to venture and private equity firms, and mentor to leaders driving the next wave of digital reinvention.
Val Thomas: Val is a CIO, non-executive Board Director, and technology executive with more than 20 years of experience turning IT organizations into strategic engines of growth. In addition to his startup experience, he has led enterprise wide transformations across companies ranging from $250M to multi billion dollar scale, specializing in technology turnarounds, AI integration, and building high performance teams.
His recent AI work includes developing a combined Claude/OpenAI powered student tutoring platform, automating AI sentiment analysis across 18,000 quarterly surveys, and developing a paperless admissions, financial aid, and document workflow system for a large trade school. All saving thousands of manual processing hours weekly. As a former CISO for a publicly traded company, he leveraged AI to help maintain zero SOX audit findings while overseeing 24×7 security operations processing over 10 million events per hour.
Val has led technology teams across the full spectrum—from startup environments to large, complex enterprises and advises executives and boards on technology strategy, cybersecurity posture, and AI adoption. He sits on the SIM NJ Chapter and Foundation boards and also serves on the Advisory Board to Squad-Up. He holds an International Board Director Competency Designation (IBDC.D), a B.S. in Computer Informational Science from NJIT, and a M.S. in Business Analytics from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
Our Moderator
Zaheer Master, Zaheer is the president and founder of Accelerated Information Systems, a consulting-led automation firm that helps organizations translate technology investments into measurable business outcomes. With more than twenty years of experience, Zaheer is known for bridging the gap between complex business processes and practical, scalable solutions using electronic forms, workflow, document management, and system integrations. Zaheer’s approach is rooted in a simple principle: technology alone does not solve problems.
Rather than leading with tools, Zaheer focuses on understanding people, processes, and desired outcomes, recognizing that technology succeeds only when those elements are aligned. He works closely with organizations to surface hidden complexity, identify edge cases, and determine which approach delivers the best ROI.
Zaheer and his team have delivered impactful solutions across higher education, government, and regulated industries, with a particular focus on improving the experience of end users. In education, his work has reduced administrative friction for nontraditional students by enabling mobile, self-service processes that remove unnecessary barriers to access.
Zaheer is a trusted advisor to executive and IT leaders who value results over hype, especially in emerging areas such as applied AI and cross-application automation. He brings a calm, open minded leadership style and a practical perspective grounded in real-world delivery. Agenda
5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 Presentation and Q&A
8:00 Networking

SIM Work, Version 4 SIG: "Future-Ready AI: Your Guide to Thriving - Autonomous AI Agents: Transforming How We Work"
2026-02-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Future-Ready AI: Your Guide to Thriving in Work 4.0 (2025-26)
The Future-Ready AI series takes you on a dynamic journey into the evolving world of artificial intelligence—demystifying the hype, revealing practical possibilities, and empowering you with hands-on skills. Across five interactive sessions, you’ll explore AI myths, uncover breakthrough applications, experiment with cutting-edge tools, and discover strategies to amplify human potential through AI. Whether you’re an AI skeptic, enthusiast, or strategist, this series equips you to navigate the future of work with clarity, confidence, and a competitive edge.

October 14, 2025 – AI Unmasked: Separating Truth from Hype
Cut through the noise and separate AI fact from fiction. This session busts the most common AI myths so you can make informed decisions for your work and strategy.
November 11, 2025 – From Tools to Transformation: The True Power of AI (90 mins)
Go beyond the buzzwords with an immersive dive into AI’s real-world applications. Discover possibilities that extend the latest tools into transformative business outcomes.
January 13, 2026 – Coding with AI: From English to Applications
Roll up your sleeves for a hands-on AI coding experience. Learn how to harness AI’s creative and technical potential in real time using plain English, no matter your skill level.
February 18, 2026 – Autonomous AI Agents: Transforming How We Work
Meet the AI agents that are reshaping how work gets done. Explore how these autonomous systems are driving innovation, efficiency, and new opportunities.
March 10, 2026 – Working Smarter Together: The Human-AI Edge
Unlock the full potential of human-AI collaboration. This session reveals strategies for balancing creativity, ethics, and productivity in the age of AI.

About The Speakers:

Elizabeth Decker, the visionary Founder and CEO of Braided Strategy, brings
over two decades of experience in steering complex technology and business
projects to success. Her career is marked by a series of transformative
achievements in environments characterized by mergers, acquisitions, and
challenging project landscapes. Elizabeth's unique approach combines
technical acumen with a profound understanding of human dynamics, enabling
her to craft solutions that are precisely designed to meet business objectives.

Mike Kritzman is the founder and CEO of SkillNet, a leading platform for
managing workforce skills, certifications, and personalized training.
With extensive experience in IT workforce development, Mike helps
organizations optimize talent strategies by solving skill gaps with
personalized learning that drives performance improvements.
Mike regularly advises IT leaders on building agile, future-ready teams
through intelligent skills data. SkillNet is leveraging AI-driven insights.

Stuart Kerr is a veteran technology executive and AI strategist with over 30
years of experience in enterprise software and SaaS. He has led two
software firms through successful IPOs and has served on the boards of five
others, bringing deep expertise in scaling innovation-driven businesses. His
current work with SkillNet focuses on applying cutting-edge AI to accelerate
human learning and skills development at scale, empowering individuals and
organizations to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.

Sean Masterman, Ed.D has been a technology leader delivering value
for over 25 years to organizations like Target, Wells Fargo, Rollerblade,
and UCare, and a higher educator for over 15 years at Concordia
University- Saint Paul, the University of Minnesota, and the University of
Sioux Falls. He is passionate about helping prepare youth to thrive in the
future workforce alongside AI and robotics.
Register here

SIM NJ Networking - Morris Plains Happy Hour
2026-02-24 17:30 - 20:00

ReThink Everything! SIG: AI Governance in 2026 - From Obligation to Strategic Imperative
2026-02-25 12:00 - 13:00
When:
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
12:00 – 1:00pm ET
Where:
Virtual
United States
Contact:
Michelle Gibson
mgibson@simnet.org

Session 1: AI Governance in 2026 – From Obligation to Strategic Imperative
As AI models and autonomous agents move deeper into core business operations, AI governance has become a C-suite and board-level mandate. This expert panel brings together AI governance, legal expertise, security and risk leaders to explore how organizations are responding to this shift while protecting enterprise value.
As the opening session in a six-part AI Governance Literacy Series, the discussion focuses on what is driving urgency in 2026 and how AI fundamentally challenges traditional governance assumptions. This session is intended to establish the framing for why AI governance is now a personal CEO and board accountability issue, before later sessions examine what effective AI governance looks like in practice, including operating models, responsible scaling, and balancing innovation, accountability, and risk without slowing momentum.
Key Takeaways

What AI governance is — and is not — and why it is no longer optional
How AI governance reshapes accountability across legal, risk, compliance, data, and business leadership
What boards and executives expect in terms of accountability, transparency, and oversight
How the right governance framing enables faster, safer scaling of AI across the enterprise

PANELISTS:
George Trujillo is leading business value engagements in North America for Collibra. For the last 17 years George has lead data and AI initiatives involving governance as the senior executive responsible for the initiative or at the global enterprise architect focused on technical delivery.
He is an internationally recognized speaker at executive and technical forums including
Gartner, Oracle World, VMware World, and CDO/CIO events. George is also a Kellogg Executive Scholar (Chief Digital Officer – AI Emphasis), published book author, and contributor to CIO Magazine and other executive platforms.

Bich-Thuy Le is an award winning technology executive, AI patent holder, and keynote speaker with over 25 years of experience building and scaling enterprise AI and digital platforms in highly regulated environments. She has led C suite mandated initiatives and designed AI governance, operating models, and lifecycle controls that support executive and board level oversight and accountability. Her work focuses on helping directors and senior executives build shared understanding of AI governance, risk, and outcomes, grounded in real enterprise execution without hype or vendors.
Irina Sedenko is a data and AI leader with 25+ years of experience driving enterprise transformation across industries. Her expertise spans data analytics, machine learning, and AI strategy, helping organizations unlock business value and accelerate their data-driven journey.
Irina combines deep technical expertise with a strong understanding of business needs, guiding organizations to practical and strategic success in AI/ML, data and AI governance. She is recognized for leading high-impact teams, building robust data platforms, and achieving real-world results in machine learning and advanced analytics.
Prior to joining MTA, Irina was a Principal Research Director at Info-Tech, where she developed blueprints, frameworks, and thought models in data management, AI, and machine learning.
She advised clients on defining and implementing AI strategies, helping organizations take a strategic approach to the opportunities and challenges presented by AI technology and realize its business value.
Omowunmi Akinyoade is a cyber assurance leader and Senior Director of Cybersecurity Compliance at Pegasystems, where she oversees vendor risk management and compliance certifications. She brings over 25 years of cross-industry experience and a human-centered, systems-oriented approach to helping leaders navigate technology risk with clarity and sound judgment.
Peter S. Vogel is a lawyer at VOGEL IT LAW where Peter limits his practice to representing buyers and sellers of IT and eCommerce. About half of Peter’s practice is trial and with cases in 38 states over the years, and the other half is negotiating IT/AI/IP/Cybersecurity/Cloud/DR/eCommerce agreements. Peter also provides LinkedIn 101 Mentoring.
For more than 30 years Peter has been an Arbitrator and Mediator with the American Arbitration Association, and a Tech List Member of the Silicon Valley Arbitration & Mediation Center. Currently Peter is the General Counsel of the North Texas Information Systems Security Association a Cybersecurity Training Group.
Peter has taught courses at the SMU Dedman School of Law for more than 25 years including courses on eDiscovery and the Law of eCommerce. Many of Peter’s topics are discussed on his Internet, IT & E-Discovery blog www.vogelitlaw.com/blog.
COST TO ATTEND:
Free for SIM Members.
Employees of SIM Members are welcome to attend for free
ATTENDEE SUPPORT:
If you have trouble registering or need to renew your SIM membership, please email sim@simnet.org.
If you require special assistance of any kind, please call us at 800.387.9746 or email us at rethink@simnet.org. REGISTER HERE

SIM Women Webinar - February 2026
2026-02-25 15:00 - 16:00
When:
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
3pm Eastern
Where:
Zoom
United States
Contact:
Kristen Lamoreaux
Kristen@LamoreauxSearch.com
(908) 268-9961

SIM Women is a network inside the SIM national association that promotes mentorship, communication, and career development amongst the female members of SIM. We are excited to host our next webinar on Wednesday, February 25th at 3pm ET.

SIM Women is delighted to have Dr. Lisa Palmer speaking for our February webinar, “Show Don’t Tell AI” and the first 50 guests to sign up will receive a free copy of her book under the same name.

A fireside chat between Kristen Lamoreaux, Founder of SIM Women, and Dr. Lisa Palmer, a thought leader who has keynoted at the SIM Women Leadership Summit and is known as an ‘AI visionary pragmatist.’ Dr. Lisa Palmer is the author of “Show AI—Don’t Tell It: Build Buy-In With Visual Storytelling” (Wiley, 2026) and the founder of an AI startup specializing in Applied AI, blending cutting-edge software with human expertise to deliver tangible business results. With a diverse background as an IT practitioner, enterprise sales leader, executive advisor, and researcher, she brings a 360-degree perspective to AI adoption.

Kristen will keep Dr. Lisa on her toes with questions around the AI frenzy versus what true readiness means. You’ll come away from this discussion with ideas grounded in reality and an awareness of what direction you should be headed if you’re not on the path currently. Initial registrants will also receive a free copy of Dr. Lisa Palmer’s book, “Show AI- Don’t Tell It: Build Buy-In With Visual Storytelling” so sign up today!

Once you register, you will receive the webinar access information directly from Zoom.
REGISTER HERE
