NJ Society for Information Management

18th Annual HMG New Jersey C-Level Technology Leadership Summit, Cosponsored By SIM NJ
2026-03-24 08:30 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
In an era defined by exponential innovation, AI disruption, and rising stakeholder scrutiny, the role of the technology executive is undergoing a profound transformation. The expectations placed on CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, and digital leaders have never been higher—or more multidimensional.
This is your invitation to step into the next evolution of leadership at an HMG Strategy C-Level Technology Leadership Summit, cosponsored by SIM NJ.
What You’ll Gain

Iconic Leadership Clarity: Lead with the vision, confidence, and enterprise‑wide influence expected of a CEO of Technology.
Resilience for High‑Stakes Decisions: Strengthen your capacity to stay clear, steady, and high‑performing amid constant disruption.
Authentic Executive Presence: Inspire teams, elevate culture, and advance your Board‑ready leadership brand.
A Network of Peers: Engage with top CIOs, CISOs, CTOs, and CEOs shaping strategy and setting the pace for the industry.
Whole‑Leader Alignment: Build mind–body–spirit integration to enhance clarity, intuition, and executive presence.
Insight Into Trends & What’s Next: Gain forward‑looking intelligence on emerging technologies, risks, and innovators redefining the enterprise.
Cybersecurity: Elevate security as a strategic enabler with AI-driven intelligence, identity-first design, and resilient architectures that accelerate innovation.
Future-State Enterprise: Modernize legacy environments with pragmatic architecture shifts and smart hyperscaler leverage to unlock agility and next‑gen digital capability.

SIM Women Webinar March 2026
2026-03-25 15:00 - 16:00 | NJ
SIM Women Webinar
SIM Women is a network inside the SIM national association that promotes mentorship, communication, and career development among the female members of SIM.
We are excited to host our next webinar on Wednesday, March 25th at 3:00 PM ET.
Session Topic
Executive Presence on Your Own Terms: Leading with Clarity, Confidence, and Authenticity
This session reframes executive presence as values-aligned leadership rather than performance or conformity. Participants will clarify their personal leadership values, craft a concise leadership mission statement, and explore practical ways to demonstrate executive presence in meetings, ERGs, community leadership, and everyday decision-making regardless of title.
Through real-world examples and guided reflection, attendees will learn how to communicate with clarity, confidence, and authenticity without pressure to fit a narrow mold.
Attendees Will Learn How To

Clarify core leadership values and define a personal leadership mission.
Demonstrate executive presence in meetings, projects, and ERG leadership regardless of title.
Communicate ideas with clarity and confidence without pressure to conform to narrow leadership norms.

Speaker
Angela V. Harris is a Washington, DC native, executive leadership coach, and Founder/CEO of 2638 Management Group, an award-winning leadership development and wellness firm that helps professionals lead with clarity, confidence, and sustainability.
With 24 years in the technology industry, Angela understands firsthand the realities many women face as they navigate leadership, visibility, and career growth. Her work is shaped by lived experience, including her journey as a breast cancer survivor, which reshaped how she approaches leadership, boundaries, and well-being.
Angela has mentored countless professionals and founded the Angela V. Harris Scholarship at Drexel University, which has awarded more than $120,000 to students pursuing technology degrees.
Registration
Register above. Once you register, you will receive webinar access information directly from Zoom. REGISTER HERE

Members In Transition (M.I.T.) Videoconference
2026-03-30 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-13 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-27 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-11 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-25 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-06-08 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-06-22 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-07-06 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 Enterprise Architecture SIG - From Ad Hoc to Purpose-Built
2026-03-31 12:00 - 13:00 | NJ
About the Session
From Ad Hoc to Purpose-Built: Building an Enterprise & Solution Architecture Practice That Actually Works
Many organizations find themselves in the same situation: architecture exists, but architects are not fully driving business outcomes when it matters most.
Whether you’re launching an architecture practice for the first time or starting over with one that never fully took hold, this session is for you.
In this candid conversation, we’ll share the real journey of building an enterprise and solution architecture practice from the ground up inside a large retail organization—starting with a small team of architects and gradually introducing practical processes, governance guardrails, and stronger alignment with product and engineering teams to drive innovation and business results.
We’ll discuss what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you’re a first-timer or hitting the reset button, you’ll walk away with practical ideas for establishing credibility, building momentum, and evolving architecture from an ad hoc function into a trusted partner in delivering real business impact.
Participants Will Learn

Where to start when standing up a new enterprise or solution architecture practice.
How to build credibility and strong partnerships with product and engineering teams.
Practical ways to introduce governance and architectural guardrails without slowing delivery.

About the Speakers
Andrew Costa
Andrew is Director of Enterprise & Solution Architecture at RaceTrac, one of the largest privately held companies in the United States, where he built the architecture practice from the ground up. Over a 25-year career spanning banking, retail, and consumer goods, he has created and scaled architecture, data, and digital delivery functions for major brands, including Truist, Carter’s, and Citizens Bank. He is a Wharton CTO Program graduate and a SIM Atlanta chapter member.
Dan Hughes
Dan is the founder of Wittij Consulting. Before launching the firm, he spent a decade in software development before transitioning into IT architecture, where he created an Open Group recognized architecture method and led the delivery of all architecture services for a company specializing in enterprise and solution architecture for over 15 years. Dan brings broad and deep knowledge of enterprise architecture techniques and technologies across manufacturing, financial services, banking, healthcare, insurance, and regulatory compliance.
Cost to Attend

Free for SIM Members.
Employees of SIM Members are welcome to attend for free—email easig@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, email sim@simnet.org.
If you require special assistance of any kind, call 800.387.9746 or email easig@simnet.org. REGISTER HERE

SLI Leadership Series - Antonio Taylor
2026-04-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Our April Guest is Antonio Taylor, Author, Stop Trying to Be a Leader

Antonio Taylor is a seasoned technology executive, author, public speaker, and board member with more than 26 years of experience spanning healthcare, enterprise IT, infrastructure, security, and executive leadership. He has built his career at the intersection of technology strategy, risk management, and organizational accountability—helping leaders make clearer, more confident decisions in moments that matter most.
Antonio’s work today centers on a modern reality: most organizations don’t have a technology problem—they have an ownership problem. When accountability is unclear, transformation stalls, investments misalign, and risk quietly compounds. His approach helps executives move from “performing leadership” to owning leadership—with clarity, discipline, and integrity.
Antonio partners with individuals, business leaders, and organizations to strengthen leadership alignment and build practical capability in AI. He teaches the principles that make AI useful—not theoretical—helping teams implement AI responsibly, improve decision-making, increase execution speed, and create real operational leverage without compromising trust or integrity.
He is the author of Stop Trying to Be a Leader, a book that challenges conventional leadership narratives and reframes leadership not as a role to perform, but as an identity to claim. The book draws from Antonio’s journey—from hands-on technical roles to executive and board-level leadership—and reflects his emphasis on self-leadership, decision ownership, and leading without masks.
Beyond his client work, Antonio remains deeply engaged in the leadership community through board service, public speaking, and involvement with the Society for Information Management (SIM). Known for his calm presence, thoughtful perspective, and practical wisdom, he brings a grounded voice to conversations about leadership, technology, and what it means to lead well in today’s high-pressure environment.

Learn More & Register: https://members.simnet.org/event/SLIApril2026

April 2026 Monthly Meeting: "Moving Up the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Without Blowing Your Budget"
2026-04-09 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Please join us at our next Chapter meeting on Thursday, April 9th at The Madison Hotel, where we will host a powerhouse panel of cybersecurity leaders from diverse industries and maturity levels for an in-depth discussion on a topic that impacts every organization today: Moving Up the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Without Blowing Your Budget
This session will explore:

Why measurable maturity matters more than buying more tools
Barriers organizations face: resource gaps, complexity, compliance pressures
Securing executive buy-in with business-value-aligned strategies
Practical crawl/walk/run roadmaps
Leveraging fractional expertise, managed services, funding strategies
Real-world frameworks: NIST CSF, CIS Controls, ISO 27001

Goal: Every attendee will walk away with a realistic roadmap to improve cyber maturity regardless of industry, size, or risk profile. Special Thanks to Our Sponsor
We extend our sincere appreciation to Blue Mantis and Netwolves for generously sponsoring this meeting and supporting SIM New Jersey’s mission to foster learning, leadership, and community among technology executives.
Meet the Panelists Adrian Tilston – Cyber Program Lead, Resourcive
As Cyber Program Lead, Adrian serves as a conduit to bridge the gap between Finance, IT, and Procurement departments when it comes to assessing and executing on cybersecurity initiatives. His team helps clients build programs in line with their business goals and risks while ensuring security vendors are utilized to drive maximum value from those services.
Prior to joining Resourcive, Adrian served in the US Army Special Forces as a Green Beret, followed by developing security solutions as a government contractor before founding Proteus Advisors.
Adrian holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and his first introduction to cybersecurity was booting from a Backtrack live CD in 2006. Adrian is an avid sailor, and his drive is best illustrated by completing an Ironman distance triathlon (his first and last) 18 months after getting spinal fusion surgery. John Erickson – Director of IT Infrastructure & Cybersecurity, Berjé Inc.
John Erickson is the Director of IT Infrastructure & Cybersecurity at Berjé, Inc., a family‑owned supplier of flavors, fragrances, and essential oils headquartered in Carteret, New Jersey. He brings more than 30 years of broad IT experience spanning financial services, retail, consumer packaged goods (CPG), healthcare, and manufacturing.
In his current role, John leads both the infrastructure and cybersecurity functions, with a focus on technology platforms, security policies, procedures, operational controls, and continuous awareness programs designed to protect the organization and its data.
John is a Past President of the Society for Information Management, New Jersey Chapter (SIM NJ) and has served on its Executive Committee since 2017. Ken Fishkin, CISSP, CIPP/US, CIPM, CIPT – Associate Director of Information Security, Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Ken Fishkin serves as Associate Director of Information Security at Lowenstein Sandler, where he leads the firm’s cybersecurity strategy and operations. Since joining the firm in 2019, he has overseen its cybersecurity program to not only protect the organization but also advance its broader business mission.
Previously, Ken served as Director for the Cybersecurity practice at a national accounting firm, advising organizations on strengthening security programs, maturing incident response capabilities, and aligning risk management strategies with evolving regulatory and industry standards.
Ken is widely recognized for his leadership within the cybersecurity community. As President of the ISC2 New Jersey Chapter, he guides the chapter’s strategic growth, expands regional engagement, and champions high-quality professional education for practitioners at all career stages. He strengthened partnerships across industry, academia, and the public sector and advanced mentorship initiatives. His contributions helped reinforce the chapter’s role as a trusted hub for professional development and community advancement.
He serves on the Executive, Threat Intelligence, and PHISH Committees of the Legal Services ISAO and sits on several advisory boards, including InfraGard NJ, HMG Strategy, and the New Jersey Gartner CISO community. In addition, he mentors students at Saint Peter’s University and regularly delivers guest lectures at conferences and university events. Through his leadership, mentorship, and service, Ken demonstrates a sustained commitment to advancing both organizational resilience and the broader cybersecurity profession. George Griesler – Senior Director of Cybersecurity, National Football League (NFL)
George Griesler is a senior cybersecurity executive with over two decades of experience leading enterprise-scale security, network infrastructure, and cyber defense programs across global organizations and high-profile sporting environments. He leads advanced cyber defense capabilities spanning security operations, threat detection and response, vulnerability management, and strategic integration of managed providers. His work focuses on ensuring resilience across complex, high-visibility environments where cybersecurity, physical operations, and fan experience intersect.
Currently, as the Senior Director of Cybersecurity Operations & Defense at the National Football League (NFL), George is responsible for protecting critical league infrastructure, NFL clubs, NFL stadium operations, and marquee global events—including the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, and International Series Games.
Prior to the NFL, George held senior leadership roles, including Director of Global Networking & Security at International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), where he led global network transformation and cybersecurity strategy, and Director of IT & Security at the United States Golf Association (USGA), where he supported the National Championship operations for over 155 years.
A collaborative and forward-thinking leader, George is passionate about developing high-performing teams, aligning cybersecurity with business outcomes, and advancing innovative defense strategies to address an evolving threat landscape. Current focus areas include driving large-scale initiatives in zero trust, firewall modernizations, cyber threat intelligence, and AI-enabled security operations.
Samantha Vandeven – Vice President, Cyber Intelligence, JPMorgan Chase
Agenda
5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 Presentation and Q&A
8:00 Networking
We look forward to an engaging, practical, and insight-rich session that will help all of us elevate our security programs in meaningful, sustainable ways.

SIM Work 4.0 SIG Smarter Hiring or Higher Hurdles. The Double Edge of AI in Job Applications
2026-04-14 12:00 - 13:00 | NJ
About the Session
AI is fundamentally changing employment applications by automating the creation of resumes and cover letters, while AI auto-apply bots and AI-driven screening tools are reshaping the hiring process.

Impact on job applicants and the hiring process.
Best practices in the age of AI and hiring.

About the Speakers

Barbie Barta
CEO
Business Centric Technology
LinkedIn

Cathy Brovelli
Senior Recruiting Manager
BT Law
LinkedIn
About the Moderator

Nikhil Shah
Director of User Technology/IT
BT Law
LinkedIn

REGISTER HERE

ReThinkers Discussion Session UBI, UHI & The Race Between Utopia and Dystopia
2026-04-17 11:00 - 13:00 | NJ
About the Session
The Question We’re Avoiding
For decades, automation threatened specific jobs. This time may be different.
Artificial intelligence, humanoid robotics, agentic systems, and autonomous infrastructure are converging faster than any technological transition in modern history. For the first time, technology may be capable of replacing large portions of human labor across all sectors simultaneously.
If labor is no longer the primary mechanism for distributing income, an uncomfortable question emerges: How does society distribute purchasing power in a post-labor economy?
Three ideas are beginning to surface in policy circles:

Universal Basic Income
Universal Human Income
A range of hybrid economic models

Some see these ideas as the path to a post-scarcity society. Others see them as the first step toward economic dependency and loss of human agency. Some believe the entire premise is flawed.
Several economists and technologists argue that the window to address these questions may be far shorter than we expect—perhaps as little as three years before automation accelerates beyond our ability to adapt.
This Session Is Not a Lecture
This is a ReThinkers dialogue. We will not assume the answers. Instead, we will pressure-test the underlying assumptions.
Together we will explore:

Is large-scale technological unemployment realistic—or exaggerated?

If realistic, what is a realistic timeline?

Could UBI or UHI stabilize capitalism—or destabilize it?
What happens to purpose, identity, and innovation if income becomes detached from labor?
Could abundance create a renaissance of human creativity—or a crisis of meaning?
What responsibility should technology leaders have in shaping these outcomes?

Expect Provocative Questions
During this conversation we will challenge several assumptions:

What if the real issue is not unemployment but the collapse of wage growth?
What if automation compresses income long before it eliminates jobs?
What if the biggest risk is political instability rather than economic collapse?
What if UBI is not a solution—but a temporary bridge?

Why This Matters for Technology Leaders
Technology leaders are not just observers in this transition. We are building the systems driving it.
Understanding the potential societal consequences is not just policy theory—it is part of responsible leadership in the age of intelligent systems.
Facilitated By
Bill Waas
Co-Chair, SIM ReThink Everything! SIG
Join the Conversation
ReThinkers sessions are designed for open, respectful exploration of difficult ideas.
Expect thoughtful disagreement. Expect new perspectives. Expect to leave with more questions than answers.
Because the future will not be shaped by those who assume certainty. It will be shaped by those willing to think differently.
SPACE IS LIMITED: This session caps at 25 participants to ensure quality discussion. Register early to secure your spot.
Since seats are limited, please do not sign up and not show up.
About SIM ReThinkers
SIM ReThinkers brings together forward-thinking IT leaders to explore emerging technologies, strategic challenges, and leadership practices. Sessions foster peer learning, strategic dialogue, and actionable insights for navigating digital transformation.
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, email sim@simnet.org.
If you require special assistance, call 800.387.9746 or email rethink@simnet.org.
REGISTER HERE

SIM Membership Orientation Webinar
2026-04-20 16:00 - 16:30, 2026-06-15 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!

SIM Leadership SIG Leadership in Uncertain Times
2026-04-21 12:30 - 13:30 | NJ
When:
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
12:30 – 1:30 PM ET
Where:
Virtual
United States
Contact:
Michelle Gibson
mgibson@simnet.org

About the Session:

Uncertainty is now the operating environment, not the exception. In this Leadership SIG panel, technology and business leaders will share practical ways to lead when priorities shift, information is incomplete, and pressure is high. We will explore how to create clarity, build trust, and keep teams moving without burnout.

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 sim@simnet.org.

REGISTER HERE

SIM Women Webinar April 2026
2026-04-29 15:00 - 16:00 | NJ
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, April 29th at 3pm ET.

What if the leadership you’re waiting to be recognized for is already yours to claim? In Power Without Permission, Louise O’Donnell challenges the belief that confidence, authority, and influence are granted—and shows how they are built through action, especially in high-stakes moments. Through personal stories and practical language you can use immediately, she shares how to navigate resistance, earn buy-in, and lead with clarity under pressure. You’ll walk away with tools to frame decisions, influence perception, and step into your authority—without waiting for permission.

Louise O’Donnell is a transformational technology leader with more than 30 years of
experience leading in high-pressure, highly regulated environments where the stakes
are real and the margin for error is small. Her career has been shaped not just by the
scale of the transformations she’s led, but by the moments that required clarity,
resilience, and the courage to act when no clear path was given.

As SVP, Managing Director and Head of Risk, Enterprise Integration & Digital
Technology at Webster Bank, Louise leads enterprise-wide transformation across API
ecosystems, risk platforms, and digital capabilities. She operates at the intersection of
strategy and execution—where decisions carry weight, complexity is constant, and
leadership is measured by outcomes.

Throughout her career, Louise has been called into the toughest situations—regulatory
scrutiny, large-scale integrations, and multi-year transformations where failure was not
an option. It was in these moments that she developed her leadership philosophy:
“Power without Permission.” The belief that leaders don’t wait to be told—they step
forward, bring clarity to chaos, and make decisions that move organizations ahead.

She is known for staying calm under pressure, navigating conflict directly, and framing
decisions in a way that aligns teams and accelerates action. Whether modernizing
legacy systems or guiding organizations through critical turning points, Louise
consistently turns complex challenges into clear, executable paths forward.

Louise speaks from experience, not theory—sharing what it truly takes to lead when the
answers aren’t obvious, the pressure is high, and the expectation is to deliver.

Register above! Once you register, you will receive the webinar access information directly from Zoom.

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REGISTER HERE

SIM SPARC WitnessAI From AI Risk to Real Time AI Control
2026-05-05 12:00 - 13:00 | NJ
From AI Risk to Real-Time AI Control: How Enterprises Are Gaining Visibility into GenAI Usage

As enterprise adoption of GenAI accelerates, most organizations face a critical challenge:
They donât know how AI is being used inside their own environment.
From unsanctioned tools to sensitive data exposure, AI risk is already presentâbut ofteninvisible.
This educational session brings together enterprise practitioners to discuss how they aregaining real-time visibility into AI usage, enforcing policies, and enabling AI safelyâusingplatforms like WitnessAI.
Rather than theory or a product pitch, this session focuses on real-world use cases,measurable outcomes, and lessons learned from organizations actively managing andcontrolling AI risk in production environments.
What Youâll Learnâ Why AI usage visibility is the #1 gap in most enterprises todayâ Where unsanctioned and risky GenAI usage is actually happeningâ How organizations are monitoring and controlling AI interactions in real timeâ How policy enforcement is evolving from static governance to active controlâ Real-world use cases powered by the WitnessAI platformâ Measurable outcomes: reduced data exposure, improved compliance, and safer AIadoption
Who Should Attendâ CIOs, CISOs, and CTOsâ Security and Risk Leadersâ Security Architecture & Engineering Teamsâ Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Leadersâ Anyone responsible for AI adoption, oversight, or policy
Featured Speakersâ Senior IT and Security Leaders from enterprise organizations (we can include WitnessAIcustomers here)â Rick Caccia, CEO, WitnessAI
Formatâ 45-minute moderated discussionâ Practitioner-led conversationâ 15 minute Live Q&A with attendees
Why AttendMost organizations are still guessing when it comes to AI risk.
This session is designed for IT leaders who want real visibilityânot assumptions.
Youâll hear directly from peers who have moved beyond policy documents and are now activelymonitoring, governing, and controlling AI usage in real timeâwithout slowing down thebusiness.
About the SessionThis webinar is part of a broader initiative to connect enterprise IT leaders with vetted,high-signal emerging technologies through practitioner-led discussions and peerengagement.

REGISTER HERE

SIM Work 4.0 SIG MISQE Special Issue on the Future of Work
2026-05-12 12:00 - 13:00 | NJ
About The Session:

This webinar will feature the authors of several papers which have been published in the MISQE Special Issues on the Future of Work. Fred Niederman, Senior Editor, will serve as the moderator of the panel. Rosemary Francisco and Cassie Collier will talk about their papers and engage the group in a discussion.

A Metaverse-Based Proof of Concept for Innovation in Distributed Teams
Distributed teams often struggle to recreate the creative energy of co-located innovation sessions.We describe a proof of concept that explored how a metaverse environment can support more dynamic distributed innovation. During a three-day immersive workshop, avatar-based interaction, informal movement and gamified facilitation enhanced engagement and ideation. Though the immersive environment enabled cross-location collaboration and unconventional idea sharing, challenges included onboarding difficulties, participant skepticism and platform limitations. The lessons learned give rise to recommendations for organizations considering immersive technologies to foster innovation across distributed teams.
Rosemary FranciscoUnisinos University (Brazil)
Sharon GeelingUniversity of Cape Town (South Africa)
How Data Analytics Professionals Can Prepare for AI-Led DisruptionAIâs proliferation in data analytics will fundamentally disrupt the role of the data analyst as we know it today. In this article, we establish the current state of hiring and working in data analytics, based on our survey of hiring managers. Then, we speculate on anticipated changes to this current state as the world becomes increasingly AI-driven, and we validate these speculations with semi-structured interviews of individuals in the data analytics field. Based on these speculations, we provide recommendations for data analytics professionals to prepare for and thrive in an age of AI-led disruption.
Cassandra A. CollierSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville (U.S.)
Anne L. PowellSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville

About The Speakers:

Cassandra Collier
Cassie Collier is an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Management andInformation Systems at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She obtained her Ph.D. inbusiness administration with a specialization in management information systems from theUniversity of Houston. She draws on previous corporate IT experience in oil and gas to informher teaching of various data analytics topics, including big data, data visualization, and artificialintelligence. She studies decision-making in online settings and how the design of informationsystems influence the decisions that users make. Her research also spans into preparation of dataanalytics graduates, both from a pedagogical perspective and a career readiness perspective.

Rosemary Francisco
Rosemary Francisco is a Professor and Researcher at UNISINOS (Brazil), specializingin AI in business, digital transformation, and the future of work. She bridges academiaand practice through applied research projects with industry partners, focusing on howemerging technologies reshape work, skills, and organizational design. She also leadsinitiatives in digital education and innovation in higher education.
About The Moderator:

Fred Niederman
Fred Niederman (fred.niederman@slu.edu) is the Shaughnessy Endowed Professor at Saint LouisUniversity. His research on IS personnel, IS project management, philosophy of science applied to IS,qualitative IS research methods, effects on IS of mergers and acquisitions, global IS, and groupcollaboration and teams has been published in top journals, including MIS Quarterly, Journal of theAssociation for Information Systems and Journal of Strategic Information Systems. He is an editorial boardmember of several top journals and has edited or co-edited numerous special issues on a wide variety oftopics, including âBreakthrough Ideasâ for Communications of the Association for Information Systems.

REGISTER HERE

SIM DigiRisk SIG Rethinking Leadership in an Age of Constant Disruption
2026-05-13 12:30 - 13:30 | NJ
About the Session:

The pace of digital change is relentless and is overwhelming even the most seasoned leaders.
Keeping up isn’t enough. It’s time to rethink how we lead in a world that never slows down.

Your DigiRisk Trio (Blake, Dan and Caren) have pooled their collective experiences to create the “Leadership Stack for Transformative Technologies”.

The leaders who will define the future arenât just the fastest adopters of technologyâtheyâre the ones asking better questions, balancing urgency with intention, and putting people at the center of transformation. The real opportunity isnât just to navigate change, but to shape it. Letâs explore what that looks like.

About the Speakers:

Blake Holman
LinkedIn

Caren Shiozaki
LinkedIn

Dan Gorecki
LinkedIn

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

May 2026 Monthly Meeting
2026-05-14 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
SIM NJ is thrilled to welcome Ashley Davis, TV personality, business leader, and strategist fresh off the release of her debut book, The Power Pivot.
In a world where change is constant and uncertainty is inevitable, adaptability sets you apart. Cultivating emotional intelligence, grit, grace, and courage can turn these pivotal moments into opportunities for extraordinary growth.
Whether you’re a leader seeking to inspire transformation or an individual striving for that next breakthrough, you’ll need to know the difference between staying stuck and stepping into your full potential. Ashley’s proven framework—Intentional Planning, Intentional Purpose, and Intentional Change—offers tangible tools to help you embrace intelligent risk, unlock enthusiasm, and chart a course to sustainable success.
Note: SIM members in attendance will receive a complimentary copy of Ashley’s new book, The Power Pivot. BIO
Ashley E. Davis is a partner at S-3 Group, a leading government relations and public affairs consultancy. Prior to this, Ashley was a lead principal at West Front Strategies, a multi-million dollar lobbying firm she co-founded in 2015. In this capacity, she oversees advocacy efforts for the interests of her Fortune 500 clients before the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government.

Ashley built her public policy expertise over a career in the public and private sectors, including serving in a leadership role at the White House from 2001 to 2003.

Following the September 11 attacks, as the Special Assistant to the National Director (and later Secretary) of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, Ashley directed daily operations and 120 staff at the newly created Office of Homeland Security within the Executive Office of the President. She was also a member of the eight-person task force that created the Department of Homeland Security, the first new U.S. federal agency in 60 years. During that time, Ashley was involved in creating several government programs that still exist, including USA Freedom Corp. and several classified programs.

Following her tenure at the White House, Ashley served as a managing principal on the executive committee of Blank Rome and managed the law firm’s strategic alliances with over 20 international public affairs firms. At that time, she was the youngest practice group leader in the firm’s history.

Today, Ashley’s CEO-level clients seek her expertise in areas including homeland security, healthcare (she has been involved in all recently passed federal healthcare laws), energy, technology, education, and international trade.

Ashley holds a Masters of International Business from McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University; a Masters of International Business from the ESADE Business School (Spain); and a Corporate International Masters Business-A Degree from the FGV EBAPE School (Brazil). She holds an undergraduate degree from Westminster College.

She is a member of the BigSpeak Speakers Bureau and Gotham Artists, is a highly sought after contributor on major news networks, podcasts and panels and serves as an expert speaker for the Office of U.S. Speaker Program at the Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. She sits on several non-profit and corporate Boards such as Turning Point Brands Inc., Brooklyn Dumplings, The USA Gymnastics Foundation, Vital Voices Global Partnership, the Women’s Democracy Network at the International Republican Institute, Kennedy Center National Symphony Orchestra, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and is a member of Women Corporate Directors. She is a member of the Economic Club of Washington DC.
She is also the Co-CEO of the Belizean Grove, a preeminent global network of influential women committed to building collaborative, trusted partnerships. As Co-CEO, Ashley is responsible for curating unique and purposeful meetings and experiences aimed at bringing members together to foster a better understanding of the complex issues of our time, share expertise, and look for solutions. Special Thanks to Our Sponsor
We extend our sincere appreciation to Dale Workforce Solutions for generously sponsoring this meeting and supporting SIM New Jersey’s mission to foster learning, leadership, and community among technology executives. Agenda
5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 Presentation and Q&A
8:00 Networking
We look forward to an insightful session!

Members In Transition (M.I.T.) In-Person Meeting - 2026-05-14
2026-05-14 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 Leadership SIG From Fatigued to Future Ready. Leading Organizations Through Relentless Change
2026-05-19 12:30 - 13:30 | NJ
About the Session:

The pace of change isn’t going back to normal â and your people know it. The leaders who will win the next five years aren’t the ones who push harder. They’re the ones who learn how to sustain momentum without burning out the humans doing the work. Join us for a conversation on building change-resilient cultures, restoring trust during turbulent times, and leading with clarity when everything feels uncertain.

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 sim@simnet.org.

REGISTER HERE

SIM Women Webinar May 2026
2026-05-20 15:00 - 16:00 | NJ
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, May 20th at 3pm ET.

Join us for a fireside chat on The Truth About Transformation: What Actually Works vs What Sounds Good. We will discuss where companies chase trends instead of solving real problems, the difference between adopting tech vs changing how people work, and why transformation is more about behavior than tools. A CIO sees wasted spend, failed initiatives, overhyped expectations. This is a straightforward conversation about what leaders get wrong about transformation, what you say no to and what creates ROI vs noise.

Shayn has been in technology for 35 years, starting as a developer and then escalating up through leadership roles to the CIO position. She is currently VP, Chief Information Officer at BrightView Landscape, a $3B public commercial landscaping company. She leads the Information Technology organization, partnering closely with teams across the business to advance their digital capabilities, strengthen their infrastructure, and support their continued growth. Shayn brings deep experience as a transformational technology leader, having previously served as CIO at National Seating & Mobility(NSM), $750 PE owned DME/CRT/Supply and Home Access firm. At NSM, she led the implementation of emerging technologies including AI, Robotic Programming Automation and enhanced threat and vulnerability platforms. Prior to that, Shayn held the role of Senior Vice President of Global Information Technology at Hill International, a $340M global construction services firm. There, she led successful three-year digital transformation initiatives, modernized enterprise IT infrastructure, enhanced global cybersecurity posture in line with NIST CSF standards, and helped the company navigate major organizational change. Shayn is known for aligning IT capabilities with business goals, fostering high-performance teams, and driving measurable outcomes in complex, fast-paced environments.

Register above! Once you register, you will receive the webinar access information directly from Zoom.

REGISTER HERE

SIM Leadership Institute Guest Speaker Series Eric Bloom
2026-06-03 12:00 - 13:00 | NJ
Our June guest is Eric Bloom

Eric Bloom has spent his career exploring a simple but powerful idea: leadership is often not what we think it is.

As Executive Director of the IT Management and Leadership Institute, Eric helps develop the next generation of IT leaders—but his perspective is grounded in decades of real-world experience as a senior IT executive at organizations including Fidelity Investments, Monster
Worldwide, and Independence Investments.

Over time, Eric transitioned from leading teams to studying, teaching, and writing about what actually makes leaders successful. As a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and nationally syndicated columnist, he is known for turning leadership theory into practical, real-world insight.

A long-time SIM member and chapter board leader, Eric brings both credibility and candor to conversations about what it really takes to lead in today’s environment.

REGISTER HERE

ReThinkers Discussion Session The Declaration of Human Participation
2026-06-05 11:00 - 13:00 | NJ
About the Session:

This session is part of an ongoing dialogue about what happens to the workforce when Integrated Intelligent Systems — AI, AI agents, industrial robotics, autonomous vehicles, and humanoid machines — converge. Not as a future scenario. As something already underway and measurable.

The Work 4.0 Index, a monthly composite labor market instrument developed within SIM Work 4.0, currently reads 40 out of 100 — a zone we call Hidden Stress Building. The gap between baseline labor market health and the technology-adjusted signal is widening. The economy is growing. Workforce health is not keeping pace. That divergence is the problem this session is designed to address.

The Declaration of Human Participation is a fiscally-modeled framework for managing the large-scale workforce transition driven by IIS. It is not a political document. It is not a policy wish list. It is a comprehensive architecture — with a 40-year projection window, four displacement scenarios, and self-funding mechanisms that scale as IIS deployment accelerates.

Topics covered in this session:

• Why AI-only policy frames miss the majority of the displacement problem
• Why conventional responses — retraining, job guarantees, traditional UBI — fail at IIS scale
• Why this is not socialism, and why that distinction matters
• The income architecture: Displacement Income Guarantee, Universal Participation Income, and the Public Trust Fund
• The funding mechanisms: Labor Displacement Levy, Productivity Dividend Levy, and Inverted VAT
• The human framework: Essential Workforce Incentive, Human Expression Income, and the youth pipeline
• How IIS restructures consumer demand — not just labor supply
• The long-range picture: healthy longevity, fertility recovery, and the 40-year economic horizon

The session runs two hours. It is structured around six sections with a feedback pause after each. The only question asked at each pause: does this feel directionally correct, and is it worth building on?

This is a small-group, invitation-managed session. Attendance is limited. If you register, please attend or release your seat in advance — demand is high and space is reserved for those committed to the dialogue.

The session is open to technology leaders, workforce strategists, policy thinkers, and anyone who believes the conversation about what comes next needs to start now.

Facilitated By

Bill Waas

Co-Chair, SIM ReThink Everything! SIG
Join the Conversation

ReThinkers sessions are designed for open, respectful exploration of difficult ideas.

Expect thoughtful disagreement.

Expect new perspectives.

Expect to leave with more questions than answers.

Because the future will not be shaped by those who assume certainty.

It will be shaped by those willing to think differently.

SPACE IS LIMITED: This session caps at 25 participants to ensure
quality discussion. Register early to secure your spot.

Since seats are limited, please do not sign up and not show up!
———————————————————————————————————

About SIM ReThinkers
SIM ReThinkers brings together forward-thinking IT leaders to explore emerging technologies, strategic challenges, and leadership practices. Our sessions foster peer learning, strategic dialogue, and actionable insights for navigating digital transformation.

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

2026 NJ SIM Foundation’s Technology Exchange & Charity Golf Outing
2026-06-15 08:00 - 17:00 | New Jersey National Golf Club, 579 Allen Rd, Basking Ridge, NJ, 07920, United States
We are pleased to announce the date of the 2026 NJ SIM Foundation’s Technology Exchange & Charity Golf Outing is Monday, June 15, 2026. We are inviting you and your company to join us at a special event that promises to be both enjoyable and impactful. Based on the overwhelming response last year, we are pleased to announce that we will return to the New Jersey National Golf Course in Basking Ridge, NJ, for this golf outing. New Jersey National is a premier private golf club nestled in the lush meadows of the Watchung Mountains.
We appreciate your generous support for this charity event. Remember to support the sponsors of our event. Click here for Sponsorship information. Registration will be available soon!
NJ SIM Foundation Golf Committee

SIM Work 4.0 SIG The Labor Market is Sending a Signal. Are You Reading It
2026-07-14 12:00 - 13:00 | NJ
SIM Work 4.0 · July 2026 Session
The Labor Market Is Sending a Signal.
Are You Reading It?
Introducing the Work 4.0 Index — the first composite measure of structural workforce health built specifically for technology leaders.

July 2026 · SIM TechLeader Forum ● Live Session + Q&A ● SIM Members

40 / 100
Current W4I Score Hidden Stress Zone

25%
of U.S. job cuts now cite AI — a first

61.9%
Labor force participation — lowest since Nov 2021

The economy is growing. Unemployment looks manageable. And yet something structural is shifting beneath the surface — entry-level roles contracting, discouraged workers surging, AI-cited layoffs reaching a milestone never seen before. The Work 4.0 Index was built to measure exactly this. Not the headline. The signal underneath it.

WHAT WE’LL COVER

01

The Index, Explained
Six pillars. Two layers — Baseline and Enhanced. Why the gap between them is the most important number on the page, and what it’s telling us right now.

02

Reading the Current Score
A walk through the May 2026 data: what each pillar is measuring, where stress is building, and why the trajectory matters more than any single month.

03

The Organizational Mirror
How to place your organization on the same scale as the national index — and what the CIO/CHRO gap in your own scores reveals about hidden risk.

04

What Technology Leaders Do With This
Board conversations. Workforce planning. Talent pipeline decisions. Concrete decision frames for using monthly index data in your leadership practice.

05

Live Q&A
Bring your numbers. Bring your skepticism. The index is designed to be interrogated.

THIS SESSION IS FOR YOU IF…

✓ You’re walking into board conversations about AI and workforce with more questions than data
✓ You suspect the labor market is changing faster than the headlines suggest
✓ You want a structured way to benchmark your organization’s workforce posture against the macro
✓ You’re a CIO who needs the CHRO in the room — and a framework that bridges both views

Bill Waas
Co-Chair, SIM Work 4.0 · Architect, Work 4.0 Index
The Work 4.0 Index publishes monthly. This session is the first time the full methodology, current data, and organizational application framework are presented together to the SIM community.

Society for Information Management · Work 4.0 Initiative · www.simnet.org/work-4-0

REGISTER HERE
