MAY 12 - FLAGSHIP EVENT OF THE YEAR Innovative Storytelling to Influence Insiders
2022-05-12 17:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Disruption is seismic. It triggers new growth, products, and fantastic market opportunities. And it offers layoffs, political infighting, and destruction. How do leaders get internal teams and customers to follow them in light of massive change and an uncertain future?
What if I told you that you only needed to master ONE skill to get other people on board with your best ideas?
That skill is storytelling.

By cracking the code on history’s greatest storytellers, Susan Lindner gives leaders a blueprint for creating their own stories that offer a vision, message, and path that all stakeholders can follow – with religious zeal. Whether you are a corporate innovator or IT professional, this talk is the critical link that lets you communicate your ideas and turn a message into a movement that others will follow.
Take the Impact Back to Your Team:

Using current business cases, learn how top IT pros are crafting stories that move audiences to embrace disruption
Understand the art, science, and brain chemistry that drives the efficacy of innovation storytelling
Get a step-by-step guide to telling your digital transformation story and why followers should care

Join your peers to gain new perspectives, share experiences, and collaborate on real-life solutions to your most pressing problems. Come away with actionable insights and build a strong professional network as you engage with old friends and make new connections at our In Person meeting on May 12th at The Madison Hotel. Networking starts at 5:30pm. About the Speaker:
Susan Lindner, the Founder and CEO of Innovation Storytellers, first mastered
the art of storytelling when she was working as an international aid officer in rural Thailand in the 1990s, helping to slow the spread of HIV by turning sex workers into entrepreneurs.
Using persuasion, proof, and the promise of a better future, she went on to teach hundreds of startups how to use stories to make the case for their disruptive business models and get investors and customers onboard.
Today, Susan works in Fortune 500 boardrooms around the world, helping global innovation leaders craft stories that bring their teams together around Breakthrough ideas. She has worked with C-level leaders and teams from over 60 countries at Fortune 100 companies like GE, Corning, Citi, AT&T, Arm & Hammer on their innovation storytelling strategies. The result? Those innovation leaders become incredible storytellers who go on to change the world.
Using a practical and repeatable framework, shared with humor and empathy, Susan helps audiences be more intentional about the stories they share at every level to make their innovations easier to understand, easier to champion, and easier to bring to life.
Susan’s award-winning strategies have led to 10 company acquisitions. She is also the winner of the 3 Golden Bridge Awards in Communications, has been ranked among the “Top 25 Women to Watch in Innovation”, and was named the American Business Awards ‘Mentor of the Year” for her work mentoring women, minority, and international startups in nine different accelerators to reach markets in the US and beyond. Susan is also a regular guest lecturer at NYU’s Graduate School of Journalism, is the host of the popular podcast “Innovation Storytellers”, and speaks at conferences, consulates, and trade organizations around the world about innovation storytelling. 5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 Presentation and Q&A
8:00 Networking

September 2022 Monthly Meeting: Cybersecurity Conversation With The F.B.I.
2022-09-14 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Join us on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, to learn about some of the emerging and creative security threats that face our personal and professional data. Bad actors continue to employ different ways to trip up our users into giving away credentials and other information. Dustin Doyle, Private Sector Coordinator, from the FBI will join his fellow colleagues to lead us through this discussion.

About our Speaker:
Dustin Doyle has served as FBI Newark’s Private Sector Coordinator since January 2022. He is the coordinator for the FBI’s Infragard, Domestic Security Alliance Council, and Academia Programs in New Jersey. Doyle joined the FBI in 2012, and prior to becoming the PSC, worked on a Joint Terrorist Task Force investigating international terrorism matters. In 2017, Doyle joined a civil rights/white collar squad where he investigated violations including human trafficking, public corruption and complex financial crime. Doyle is also an FBI-certified Crisis Negotiator.
Prior to joining the Bureau, Doyle was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force from 2005-2011. As a public affairs officer, Doyle was initially assigned as the Chief of Media Relations for Air Force Reserve Command. In 2008, Doyle was promoted to Chief of Public Affairs for the 621st Contingency Response Wing. Doyle received a B.A. in Communication from Oakland University, and a M.A. in Communication & Leadership from Gonzaga University. 5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 Presentation and Q&A
8:00 Networking S.I.M. NJ Members: $45; non-member Guests: $75. (Non-member Guests must be accompanied by a Member.)

October 2022 Monthly Meeting: Metaverse, NFT, and Web 3 – OH MY!
2022-10-20 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Join us for a Fireside Chat with Richard Entrup to discuss “Metaverse, NFT, and Web 3 – OH MY!” on October 20. We will demystify the terms and supply real world examples on how you can apply the underlying technologies to your business. We will explore together what the Metaverse, NFT’s, and Web 3 might mean for you, your career, and your company.
Join your peers to gain new perspectives, share experiences, and collaborate on real-life solutions to your most pressing problems. Come away with actionable insights and build a strong professional network, as you engage with old friends and make new connections at our In Person meeting on Thursday, 10/20/2022, at The Madison Hotel. Networking starts at 5:30 p.m..

About Richard Entrup:
Richard Entrup has led technology, innovation, and digital transformation programs at many prominent global brands including Verizon, Christie’s, Disney/ABC, Time Warner, The Museum of Modern Art, Viacom, and Tiffany & Company. While at Christie’s, where he served as Global CIO/CTO and CDO, he executed the first blockchain art auction and announced NFTs to the traditional art world at the inaugural Christie’s Art & Tech Conference in London, which was focused on art and blockchain: https://www.christies.com/exhibitions/2018/art-and-tech-summit-exploring-blockchain. Richard has been deep down a Web3 / Crypto / Blockchain / Metaverse / NFT / AI Art rabbit hole since 2018 and is very connected in those communities.
Richard is currently a Strategic Advisor and sometimes Investor to many Web3/NFT, AI, and Cybersecurity startups including ClubNFT, House of First, Ask Arthur, CADAF, Entertainmint, Stability.AI, Royal House of Medici, EdgeVideo, and So-Far Online. Richard loves helping innovative Founders and Entrepreneurs build great companies and products. He is also an Advisor at Mayfield Fund and CIO Advisor to Greylock, Lightspeed, Landmark, and HMG Strategy. He is also a Startup Mentor at lead Sport Performance Accelerator in Lake Nona, Orlando, FL, and a Columbia CIO Mentor as part of the Executive Masters in Technology program.
Richard is a Gladwell ‘Connector’ and all about relationships and community building, which makes him a formidable Advisor and Investor for any startup in the Web3 space. Richard has a strong grasp on the business impact and benefits of Web3 and AI as it relates to digital marketing, audience engagement, conversion, retention, and ultimately, revenue. He is also a passionate digital and physical art collector and frequent speaker and panelist on the subject and considered an expert in Web3, NFTs, and art tech community, in addition to over three decades of traditional IT/Technology experience. Richard is also curating several upcoming art exhibits for two of his NFT startups, and one sale will include physical and digital art works by many popular artists, many of which he collects and knows personally.

RECENT MEDIA & PUBLICATIONS

https://www.hellersearch.com/blog/new-cio-role-where-digital-experiences-are-a-work-of-art

https://cxotechmagazine.com/category/blockchain/web3-0/

https://www.mayfield.com/richard-entrup-startup-advisor-investor-and-global-technology-leader/

https://so-far.xyz/weekly/nft-collections-richard-entrup

https://www.ledgerinsights.com/christies-registers-323-million-art-sale-on-blockchain/

https://www.christies.com/exhibitions/2018/art-and-tech-summit-exploring-blockchain

https://www.rightclicksave.com/article/how-nfts-changed-the-art-world

https://www.prweb.com/releases/house_of_first_launches_nft_platform_to_debut_first_of_a_kind_art_collections_in_the_metaverse/prweb18391934.htm

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nft-pioneer-jason-bailey-launches-clubnft-raises-3-million-creates-backup-solution-to-protect-collectors-and-billions-of-dollars-in-nfts-301410460.html

https://twitter.com/youralley/status/1461408530263642118?s=20&t=cWW72nWRjankkYkOXwPXWA

5:30: Registration and Networking
6:15: Dinner
6:45: Business Meeting
7:00: Presentation and Q&A
8:00: Networking S.I.M. NJ Member: $60
Guest: $100 (A non-member Guest must be accompanied by a Member.)
Member In Transition: $30

November 2022 Monthly Meeting: "Blockchain: What’s Next??"
2022-11-10 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
We’ve heard a lot about blockchain over the past few years – but what’s next? A blockchain is essentially a digital ledger of transactions that is duplicated and distributed across all the nodes on the network that make it impossible to change, hack, or cheat the system.
Join us for a Panel Discussion led by Lindsley Medlin to discuss “Blockchain – What’s Next?” on November 10. He will be joined by 3 other prominent leaders in the Blockchain space – Dr. W. Scott Stornetta, Jamiel Sheikh, and Barbara Muscara. They will provide a brief primer and Lindsley will then lead a discussion on how blockchain is being used today via real life examples, and how it may be used in your respective businesses.
Join your peers to gain new perspectives, share experiences, and collaborate on real-life solutions to your most pressing problems. Come away with actionable insights and build a strong professional network as you engage with old friends and make new connections at our In Person meeting on November 10th at The Madison Hotel. Networking begins at 5:30pm.

About our Speakers:
Lindsley Medlin is an international executive with more than 30 years of experience building and running varied and diverse businesses in the United States and Europe. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and an MBA, both from Rutgers University, as well as a Graduate Marketing Certificate from the SMU Cox School of Business in Dallas, Texas. He is a Certified Blockchain Professional™ who has studied Bitcoin in depth and is the Founder of the NJ Blockchain Center. Mr. Medlin is an educator, published author, speaker, and consultant. He teaches Blockchain, Bitcoin, & Cryptocurrency at Columbia University and County College of Morris.
Dr. W. Scott Stornetta is a renowned American physicist, scientific researcher, and notable figure in cryptographic science and distributed computing. His 1991 paper “How to Time Stamp a Digital Document”, co-authored with Stuart Haber, won the 1992 Discover award and is considered to be one of the most important papers in the development of cryptocurrencies. Dr. Stornetta and Stuart Haber are the most cited authors in Satoshi Nakamoto’s 2008 Bitcoin white paper, of the eight citations, three reference their work. Dr. Stornetta continues with his role as a researcher in blockchain and crypto technology, and is involved in many Blockchain organizations as Advisor and is Partner & Chief Scientist at Yugen Partners.
Jamiel Sheikh is founder and CEO of Instamint, a B2B NFT/DAO minting API platform, which is his primary focus. He is also founder of Chainhaus, a blockchain / DeFi advisory and education company, operator of Blockchain101, and online blockchain education portal and founder of the Central Bank Digital Currency Think Tank, which consists of central bankers, bankers, and academics, and also runs CBDC insider. Prior to Chainhaus, Jamiel worked for various well-known financial services and technology organizations.
Barbara “Bobbi” Muscara is the Director of Education at Ledger Academy, a Blockchain-based learning center operating since 2016, training in Web-3 topics and Metaverse around the globe. Bobbi Muscara is currently on the Technical Steering Committee at the Hyperledger Foundation, and open-source Blockchain provider. Bobbi is a seasoned author and speaker with numerous credits to her name.
Bobbi is the winner of the 2020 Blockchain Social Impact Award from the Government Blockchain Association for the Giving Chain Project, a socially relevant blockchain project to provide a supply blockchain platform to be leveraged for disaster/charity relief efforts. 5:30: Registration and Networking
6:15: Dinner
6:45: Business Meeting
7:00: Presentation and Q&A
8:00: Networking

January 2023 Monthly Meeting: Career Enhancement Panel Discussion
2023-01-12 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Join us for a Panel Discussion led by our own SIM NJ member, Jessica Carroll, where she will lead a discussion about how we can use multiple resources to help with our job search and career growth. Rick Diana (talent agent), Coach Pete Cafarchio, and Rich Dziuban (recruiter) will speak about how their respective specialties, coupled with a rich network, can help you find your next role and excel in your current one.
Join your peers to gain new perspectives, share experiences, and collaborate on real-life solutions to your most pressing problems. Come away with actionable insights and build a strong professional network as you engage with old friends and make new connections at our in person meeting on January 12 at the Madison Hotel. Networking begins at 5:30 p.m..
This month’s meeting is sponsored by Robert Half Talent Solutions.

About our Speakers:
Jessica Carroll: With over 30 years of experience in leadership roles in the technology industry, Ms. Carroll is recognized as an executive who develops and articulates vision and solutions from both technical and business perspectives, with the customer at the core. A speaker on the topics of client engagement, team culture, and digital transformation, she has been published in CIOInsight and BizTech magazine, among others, and was named a Computer World Premier 100 IT Leader. She founded jCX Strategies, a consultancy service with a unique and authentic approach to fostering B2B customer-focused programs that drive successful outcomes for the business. She is currently Chief Experience Officer at Acuative.
Rick Diana: Rick Diana is an accomplished and dynamic sales executive and servant leader. Rick’s demonstrated leadership includes thirty plus years of high-performance business development, talent acquisition, sales management and organizational consulting. An energetic networker and advisor, Rick is adept at managing complex client environments and recognized in the industry for an intense focus on client satisfaction. In today’s competitive digital business environment, he thrives under the constant challenge to deliver results. Rick founded Trinitas Talent Management, LLC, an enterprise business services entity primarily focused on recruitment, upskilling and workforce development. TTM enables companies along the East coast to acquire the finest talent, mostly by leveraging Rick’s strong executive relationships and his access to C-level decision makers across the landscape. Rick gives his time and talents to several charitable organizations including the Tri-County Scholarship Fund, which supports the educational needs of the most financially disadvantaged children in northern New Jersey, and C.A.S.H, a senior housing community.
Pete Cafarchio: Coach Pete is an ICF-accredited coach, mentor, and consultant with over 30 years of experience in building technology companies and non-profit organizations. His broad experience runs the gamut from launching start-ups to brokering multi-million dollar acquisition deals to managing partnerships with global brands such as Dell, Aetna, Microsoft, and Salesforce. He works with leaders in all marketplace sectors to uncover their hidden gems, identify and develop their leadership style, transform organizational culture, and develop strategies for sustained growth. His clients often comment on his perceptive insights and skilled balance between inspiring encouragement and candid, tough love. Pete cohosts a weekly podcast, Transform Your Life with Steve and Pete. He’s also a frequent volunteer to help the homeless in his beloved city of New York. He holds an Engineering degree from Clarkson University, has numerous certifications in coaching and personality assessments, and has developed his own online learning course – Decoding Your Destiny. You can access Coach Pete’s personal development resources at www.petecoaching.com
Rich Dziuban is an accomplished recruiting executive with over 20 years in the industry. Rich prides himself in his ability to identify client needs, source key talent, and match that talent with his clients. He remains a hands on recruiter while managing 2 practices at Robert Half Technology. Rich is a top ranked RHT team member having earned a place in the RHT President’s or Chairman’s clubs multiple times since 2006. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics/Marketing/Communications and a Mini-MBA in Business Administration, both from Rutgers University. 5:30: Registration and Networking
6:15: Dinner
6:45: Business Meeting
7:00: Presentation and Q&A
8:00: Networking

March 2023 Monthly Meeting: Turning Strategy Into Reality
2023-03-09 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
We live in an era of unprecedented change. Organizations often struggle with how to move their big ideas into reality in a timely and effective manner. Business Architecture is a relatively new discipline that can help translate those strategies into action and help transform your business.
Whynde Kuehn will lead a discussion on how Business Architecture can be the powerful tool to transform your innovative strategies into reality. We’ll learn that Business Architecture is, in fact, not an I.T. tool. Instead, it is a business owned blueprint that links all areas of your business together. The goal is to facilitate the implementation of business strategy. All organizations must transform on some level to remain relevant. This is a “must attend” meeting, wherever your organization is in its transformation journey.
Click here for the meeting presentation!

About Whynde Kuehn:
Whynde Kuehn is a recognized global thought leader and a long-time pioneer, practitioner, and educator in digital transformation, strategy execution, and business architecture.
Whynde has a distinguished track record of successful team building worldwide. She is the Founder of Biz Arch Mastery, a dedicated online platform and community that helps professionals master the art and science of Business Architecture. She is also a Fellow with the Institute for Digital Transformation, Co-Founder at Business Architecture Associates, Senior Consultant for Cutter Consortium, and Co-Founder, Vice President, and Academic Chair of the Business Architecture Guild. Whynde is the author of Strategy to Reality, published in 2022. Whynde is exceptionally passionate about assisting mission-driven organizations in succeeding and scaling through the application of solid business approaches. Likewise, she routinely inspires corporate entities to use business as a force for good.
Whynde, Founder and Managing Director at S2E Transformation, Inc., supports her clients by bridging the gap between strategy and execution. This enables them to achieve their most extraordinary visions for business and digital transformation in a practical, business-focused way.
Whynde has extensive experience in enterprise transformation and planning. She is a passionate advocate for using business architecture to enable effective strategy execution and digital transformation. Whynde has extensive experience applying the discipline at leading Fortune 500 and international enterprises, governmental and non-profit organizations, and with a range of entrepreneurs, social enterprises, and cross-sector initiatives. One of Whynde’s most recognized competencies is her ability to assist executives and their teams cultivate their business architecture practices.

Join your peers to gain new perspectives, share experiences, and collaborate on real-life solutions to your most pressing problems. Come away with actionable insights and build a strong professional network, as you engage with old friends and make new connections, at our in person meeting on March 9 at the Madison Hotel. Networking begins at 5:30 p.m.. 5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 Presentation and Q&A
8:00 Networking

"Empowering People to Do Their Best," with Zoom CIO Gary Sorrentino
2023-04-19 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Now that the pandemic is behind us, how do we make people better moving forward? Regardless of whether they are working remotely, in office or hybrid, we need to continue to create a culture of collaboration and innovation. Please join Zoom’s CIO, Gary Sorrentino for an in-depth discussion on unleashing human excellence. Gary Sorrentino serves as Zoom’s Global CIO, after spending over two years as the Global Deputy CIO. A former Managing Director for J.P. Morgan Asset & Wealth Management, Gary was the Global Head of Client Cyber Awareness and Education. For over 12 years, Gary was the Chief Technology Officer for J.P. Morgan AWM’s global technology infrastructure initiatives, where he managed its Data Privacy program and was responsible for Infrastructure, Application and End User Technology Production Support. In 2014, he assumed a new role as the lead for their Cybersecurity efforts and developed a firm wide “Protect the Client” Cyber program designed to raise cybersecurity awareness among employees and clients.
With almost 40 years of experience in Information Technology, Gary has served in various other IT leadership positions in firms across the financial services industry. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan in 2005, Gary was Head of Global Infrastructure and Head of Technology Efficiencies at Citi Private Bank, where he was responsible for Global Infrastructure Support and strategic technology initiatives. Other roles he has held include Global Technology CFO at Credit Suisse and North America IT Controller at UBS. 5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 Presentation and Q&A
8:00 Networking Register for the event below or email your RSVP to Karen Kostulas. Include your full name, professional title, with company email in the message.
SIM NJ Members: $60
Non-member guests: $100
Non-member guests must be accompanied by a member.

May 2023 Meeting: HMG NJ CIO Executive Leadership Summit
2023-05-18 08:00 - 16:00 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
HMG Strategy And SIM NJ Proudly Present:

2023 New Jersey CIO Executive Leadership Summit

Resilient Leadership: Driving Fearless Reinvention to Deliver a Secure Digital Agenda

Inflationary pressures and other macro-economic challenges are creating headwinds for technology executives and fellow members of the C-suite to execute on and achieve strategic goals. The fast-changing socio-economic landscape is prompting technology executives to become more creative than ever and to draw upon authentic and inclusive leadership skills to inspire their teams. As technology executives continue to increase their stature in the C-suite, this is creating unique opportunities for them to foster a collaborative culture, embrace innovative approaches, and develop strong partnerships to leverage hot technologies such as AI, cloud platforms and cyber technologies to securely move the needle for the business and win in tumultuous times.
For more information, visit the HMG Website.
Register directly on the Event Page.

Artificial Intelligence: Hype Versus Reality
2023-09-14 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Artificial Intelligence: Hype Versus Reality
With the advent of ChatGPT, Artificial Intelligence has exploded onto the scene. Every product now claims to be AI-enabled. Companies are implementing AI in their operations and products. This raises valid questions:

How much of this is hype versus reality?
How do I implement an AI project or service?
What are the legal ramifications of implementing AI?

We will explore these and other questions with a panel including Industry Leaders, a University Professor, and an Intellectual Property Attorney. Join us for our September 14 dinner meeting at the Madison Hotel. You will learn what to do whether you are implementing or just beginning to ponder Artificial Intelligence.
Here are our esteemed panelists:

Moderator: Shiboo Varughese

Shiboo Varughese is the CTO and Chief Architect at Cirrus Labs. He leads a team that builds technology solutions that meet business needs. Cirrus Labs specializes in the Cloud, Internet of Things, Analytics, and Automation.
Panelists:
Dr. Parag Doshi

Dr. Doshi is a VP of Engineering at Tricentis, a leading provider of software testing solutions. He has over 20 years of experience in IT and engineering. He is passionate about delivering true business value to our customers through innovative products and services. Dr Doshi earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. Previously he was VP, Cloud Platform Services. He was responsible for driving an enterprise IT transformation across all Anthem business units, leading the company’s journey to Cloud Computing.
Natalie Richer

Natalie Richer is an Intellectual Property attorney at Lerner David. She is successful in handling litigation, patent prosecution, trademark, copyright, and licensing matters. Natalie works closely with clients to understand their business needs and goals, and helps them achieve those goals by identifying, protecting, and leveraging valuable IP assets. She and her team are experienced in a wide array of technological fields, including electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, biology, and physics. Natalie represents clients in diverse industries. These industries include software, electrical and computer products, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, aviation, telecommunication, footwear and apparel, biotechnology, consumer electronics, chemicals, food and beverages, toys, marketing, and academia.
John H. Shannon

John H. Shannon is a Professor of Legal Studies at the Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University. His interests focus on the intersection of law, business, and technology. He highlights the issues and challenges propelled by digital transformation and its impact on the established order in business, law, and society.

5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 SIM NJ Updates
7:00 Featured Presentation/Discussion
8:00 More Networking Register for the event below or email your RSVP to Karen Kostulas. Include your full name, professional title, and company email address in the message.
SIM NJ Members: $60
Members In Transition: $30
Non-member guests: $100
Non-member guests must be accompanied by a member

Cybersecurity Through A Risk Management, Compliance, And Legal Lens
2023-10-12 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Information Security is now one of the most significant risk areas for any business. Thus, understanding, addressing, and managing that risk needs to be a top priority – to protect company information, assets, technology, systems, and networks.
Most federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and regulators are now hyper-focused on Information Security — not just on apprehending cybercriminals and reactively addressing cybercrime after it occurs; but also, proactively preventing it.
Today, most enforcement and regulatory agencies expect businesses to have robust cybersecurity compliance programs built around identifying and managing their most significant cyber risks. Many also require companies to have robust risk-based information security programs, as pre-requisites to conducting business. This also extends to third-party contractors and business partners who are now expected and contractually required to have robust risk-based information security compliance programs.
The best way to prevent this Parade of Horribles is for IT and Risk Management/Compliance/Legal to work together in a collaborative partnership – transcending traditional corporate silos and assumptions regarding what IT, Compliance, Legal, and Risk Management are “supposed” to do.
On Octobert 12 2023, Alexandra Rebay, former Global Chief Compliance Officer for Verizon Communications will lead a discussion on how to form this collaborative partnership. When done right, effective proactive information security compliance and risk management can be leveraged as a competitive advantage.

About Our Presenter:
Alexandra Rebay was the Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, and Global Chief Compliance Officer for Verizon Communications, and also held a variety of other senior executive leadership roles at Verizon and its predecessor company, GTE Corporation, over almost 30 years. Since retiring from Verizon on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Rebay has brought her expertise in compliance, risk management, litigation, and crisis management to the not-for-profit arena, guiding the Greater Somerset County YMCA, whose Board Audit & Risk Management Committee she chairs, through the myriad novel operational issues – including cybersecurity challenges – presented by the global pandemic and its aftermath.
Before her career in the private sector, Ms. Rebay served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York, prosecuting computer crime, securities fraud, corruption, narcotics, and terrorism cases. 5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 SIM NJ Updates
7:00 Featured Presentation/Discussion
8:00 More Networking
8:30: In-person Members In Transition (M.I.T.) Meeting Register for the event below or email your RSVP to Karen Kostulas. Include your full name, professional title, and company email address in the message.
SIM NJ (and other SIM chapter) Members: $60
SIM NJ Members In Transition: $30
Non-member guests: $100
Non-member guests must be accompanied by a member

Doing More With Less: A Green Beret Way
2023-11-16 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Doing More With Less: A Green Beret Way
On Nov 16th we will be joined by Kyle Hall of Resourcive. In his presentation titled, “How To Do More With Less in IT: A Green Beret’s Approach”, Hall shares key elements of his success operating in VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) environments as a Green Beret and how these same principles can be applied to the challenging business landscape IT leaders face today with limited resources.

Kyle Hall is currently the President of Resourcive, a strategic IT sourcing consultancy that works closely with IT and technology leaders in the mid-market and enterprise to drive spend reduction and IT transformation efforts across all core IT services and solutions.
Prior to joining Resourcive, Kyle served in the US Army Special Forces as a Green Beret. He brings the skills and experiences learned operating in VUCA environments to his role within Resourcive and by extension, the technology leaders and Private Equity partners he works with on a daily basis.
Kyle holds a Bachelor in Organizational Leadership from the University of Charleston and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the Mason School of Business at the College of William & Mary. Kyle enjoys outdoor sports, travel, education, and spending time with family. 5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 SIM NJ Updates
7:00 Featured Presentation/Discussion
8:00 More Networking Register for the event below or email your RSVP to Karen Kostulas. Include your full name, professional title, and company email address in the message.
SIM NJ Members: $60
SIM NJ Members In Transition: $30
Non-member guests: $100
Non-member guests must be accompanied by a member

2023 Holiday Celebration
2023-12-10 16:00 - 21:00 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Join us at our flagship SOCIAL EVENT OF THE YEAR!
That’s right: it’s our annual Holiday Celebration, which you have waited for all year! This year it will be on Sunday, December 10 2023, at 4:00 p.m.. The event will be held at the elegant Madison Hotel.
We’ll get things going at 4:00 with a cocktail reception, followed by a lavish dinner and delightful dancing, until 9:00 p.m.. Your reservation also includes one guest. We look forward to welcoming you in person.

Professional Development - Respect & Influence With Pete Cafarchio, PCC
2024-01-11 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Professional Development – Respect & Influence With Pete Cafarchio, PCC
As a senior IT professional, have you ever felt powerless and overlooked, despite having years of experience and expertise? Do they see you as “just another IT person” who is expected to follow orders from other executives? This can leave you wondering if you will ever be able to achieve the level of influence you crave. So, what can you do to overcome those feelings of powerlessness and gain the recognition you deserve? Join your peers on Thu, Jan 11 for an in-person interactive session where we will learn how to:

Build strong relationships with other key stakeholders, teammates, and business partners.
Clearly communicate the business value that you bring.
Learn powerful mindsets that shift the way you view yourself and your role.

This program can help your entire team gain Respect and Influence. We encourage you to bring your member-eligible direct reports, you may add them to your registration for $30 each (a 50% discount.) Pete Cafarchio is a Professional Certified Coach with over thirty years of experience in building non-profit and technology companies, forging a range of partnerships from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies.
He works with leaders in all marketplace sectors to identify and develop their leadership style, transform their team culture, and develop strategies for sustained growth.
When clients engage Pete, they comment on his perceptive insights, practical wisdom, and encouraging nature. But he will not just tell you what you want to hear. At the end of the day, it is about getting results. More than once, his clients have said, “With Pete, it’s like getting a hug and a kick in the pants – often at the same time!” He currently resides in New York City with his wife and sweetheart, Lynn, and has two adult daughters. 5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 Presentation and Q&A
8:00 In Person MIT Meting Register for the event below or email your RSVP to Karen Kostulas. Include your full name, professional title, and company email address in the message.
SIM NJ Members: $60
SIM NJ Members In Transition: $30
Non-member guests: $100
Non-member guests must be accompanied by a member

Keys to Leading Digital Transformation as a Core Organizational Competency
2024-02-08 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
“Digital transformation is a journey,” is a phrase often used by leaders. However, in today’s competitive landscape, it is essential to develop digital transformation as a core organizational competency to stay ahead of the curve. Isaac Sacolick, a CIO/CTO/CDO and author of two top books on leading digital transformation, emphasizes that “you will always be transforming.” In this open discussion, Isaac will share key insights for business and technology leaders on how to develop digital transformation as a core competency. The discussion will cover the following topics:

Developing Digital Trailblazers to lead digital transformation initiatives.
Innovating by developing your organization’s agile way of working.
Elevating ITSM and shifting shadow IT to governed self-service technologies.
Iterating on a gen AI strategy as capabilities evolve and board pressures mount.

Isaac Sacolick is President of StarCIO, a technology leadership company that guides organizations on developing digital transformation leaders and core competencies. He is the author of Digital Trailblazer and the Amazon bestseller Driving Digital. Sacolick is a recognized keynote speaker and a digital transformation influencer, with over 900 articles published on his blog Social, Agile, and Transformation, CIO.com, InfoWorld, and other sites. You can find him sharing new insights on the Driving Digital Standup or during his weekly Coffee with Digital Trailblazers. 5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 SIM NJ Updates
7:00 Featured Presentation/Discussion
8:00 More Networking Register for the event below or email your RSVP to Karen Kostulas. Include your full name, professional title, and company email address in the message.
SIM NJ Members: $60
SIM NJ Members In Transition: $30
Non-member guests: $100
Non-member guests must be accompanied by a member

How to Work with Jerks
2024-03-14 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Professional Development – How to Work with Jerks with Eric Williamson
Who among us hasn’t been in conflict with difficult people and wished we had better coping methods for dealing with it productively and with our sanity intact? Let’s face it, conflict is unavoidable, it is inevitable. And without a clear strategy for managing it, we inevitably suffer, risk failure on the job and in our careers. This can cause us to become disengaged and unfulfilled in the workplace and question our purpose for working for that company. Ultimately, causing us to become jerks ourselves.
Eric addresses these issues head on by providing IT leaders with the strategies to confidently navigate today’s changing environment by managing conflict and cultivating, stronger, more meaningful relationships during times of disruption and uncertainty, enabling tech leaders to successfully achieve their digital transformation goals, deliver more value to the customer, and create an environment where employees want to stay.
IT leaders will:

Understand how to diffuse tense situations and mitigate conflict when interacting with their teams, and especially business and technical leaders
Employ the AAA Method (Assess, Analyze, & Act) for managing conflict, disarming a jerk, and avoiding kneejerk reactions under stressful conditions
Build trust and increase their impact and influence within their teams, board members and with business and technical leaders so that they can have a seat at the table
Communicate with clarity within their teams, and with board members, business and technical leaders
Improve interactions with those having different personalities and values
Recognize how to spot a jerk and prevent becoming one yourself

Like you, professional development consultant, business author, and keynote speaker Eric Williamson has seen the word success defined in numerous ways. Does it take good grades and education, high IQ scores and standardized tests, climbing up the corporate ladder, playing politics, is it about good timing, is it only meant for a select few? Or is there a different story?
With two decades of professional development experience, speaking, and most importantly, real-life, hands-on in-the-trenches business experience in both the private and public sectors, his view is inherently different. Eric appreciates, and shares with listeners, that no matter how talented, gifted, or experienced, and no matter what role we serve or title we carry, our level of success is not measured based on the work we produce; it is measured based on the relationships we build. To that end, he works with organizations to build more collaborative and harmonious workplace environments by building stronger customer and workplace relationships.
Eric is known for being an expert jerk who turned jerk-expert. He is the author of the book, How to Work with Jerks: Getting Stuff Done with People you Can’t Stand. Whatever you do and wherever you work—jerks are all around you. And without a clear strategy for working with these difficult people, we inevitably suffer and risk failure on the job and in our careers, and risk becoming jerks ourselves. This book offers that strategy and a roadmap for you to build relationships with the people you work with, interact with, and serve.
Eric received national attention in NBC, ABC, FOX, and CBS news for his expertise in leadership development stating, “Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the key component of being a successful leader; and is the most important skill that will help you thrive in today’s ever-changing business environment.” He was recently featured in Training Industry, the most trusted source of information on the business of learning, for his insight in helping leaders leverage EQ by employing a three-step process that has helped improve human interaction, workplace relationships, employee engagement and customer satisfaction. 5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 SIM NJ Updates
7:00 Featured Presentation/Discussion
8:00 More Networking Register for the event below or email your RSVP to Karen Kostulas. Include your full name, professional title, and company email address in the message.
SIM NJ Members: $60
SIM NJ Members In Transition: $30
Non-member guests: $100
Non-member guests must be accompanied by a member

Artificial Intelligence
2024-04-11 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Five Trends in AI for 2024
AI is top of mind for CEOs, and IT Leaders are being asked two questions:

Where is AI going in the short- and long-term?
What are we doing with AI in our organization and what can we do to start?

On April 11, Cathy Reese of IBM Global Business Services will help us answer those two questions. In an interactive presentation, Cathy will discuss IBM’s Research “Five Trends in AI for 2024” and will also give us her insights into what we should be doing now with AI to position our organizations for the future.
About the Speaker
Cathy Reese leads the Americas team for the Data & Technology Transformation service line of IBM Global Business Services. The D&TT service line is focused on helping clients gain greater precision and predictability out of every business decision by applying data and AI to fundamentally transform their business.
Cathy is a results-driven executive with 20 years of experience at numerous top Financial, Consumer Product Goods, and Government institutions, providing a variety of analytical and technical experience for the design, development, and implementation of Intelligent Workflows leveraging data, automation, and AI. Cathy’s passion lies at the intersections of modern data and ethical AI. By harnessing the power of generative AI, she’s deployed modern supply chains, reimagined marketing techniques, and analytical systems supporting state-wide health decisions and citizen services. She builds upon deep data and technology expertise paired with user experience and design to achieve adoption and drive business outcomes to succeed together with clients. Sponsored By:
5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 SIM NJ Updates
7:00 Featured Presentation/Discussion
8:00 More Networking Register for the event below or email your RSVP to Karen Kostulas. Include your full name, professional title, and company email address in the message.
SIM NJ Members: $60
SIM NJ Members In Transition: $30
Non-member guests: $100
Non-member guests must be accompanied by a member

May 2024 Meeting: HMG NJ CIO Executive Leadership Summit
2024-05-23 08:00 - 16:00 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Please Join Us at the Top Tech Event of 2024:
16th Annual New Jersey C-Level Technology Leadership Summit
By joining us at this year’s event you will be able to:

Learn about how C-Level tech executives are:

Using cutting-edge technologies and partnerships to drive business performance
Transforming the future with GenAI
Implementing security innovations that are go beyond just protection

You’ll also

Join collaborative workgroup roundtables tackling some of today’s top tech challenges
Legendary Leaders Share Their Journey

Register directly on the Event Page.

SIM NJ Wine Tasting Event
2024-07-18 18:00 - 21:00 | Loucas Restaurant, Edison, NJ, United States
Looking to taste a few wines and learn a bit about them? Join us on July 18th for a light-hearted, yet educational wine tasting workshop, led by perhaps SIM’s greatest wine expert, Mikhail Papovsky.
Mikhail Papovsky is a win-for-all business model advocate. His ideas can be found in Forbes.com, CIO.com, TEDx, his own series of blogs, and public speaking. Mikhail is a founder and CEO of Massaro, a management consulting firm focused on outcomes from IT investments. He has been a SIM member since 2011, SIM Boston’s MCD chair since 2018, and a SIM sponsor on chapter and national levels since 2015.
Mikhail is a certified Wine Oenophile. He is also an Ambassador for Chevaliers de la Chanterpleur in Vouvray, France. He has a passion for wine education with an approach that takes mystery and complexity out and expands knowledge of wine enthusiasts of every level.
The fine print:

This is an “invitation only” event, and this invitation is not transferable.
This is a free event, sponsored by Massaro. Attendance is limited to 25 members. If you register and are unable to attend, we ask that you let us know as soon as possible so that others may attend in your place.

To register for this complimentary SIM NJ Member event, or if you have any questions, email Pasquale Cirullo at pcirullo@simnj.org.

Summer Barbecue
2024-08-08 17:00 - 21:00 | Deutscher Club, 787 Featherbed Ln, Clark, NJ, 07066, United States
It’s time again for the SIM NJ’s annual “free and informal” summer BBQ event. This year’s event is being hosted at a more central location, at the Deutscher Club in Clark, New Jersey.
Please dress casually and come to enjoy an evening of delicious BBQ foods, interesting cocktails, and great company with your fellow SIM NJ colleagues. As always, there will be no formal presentation or speaker at this event. It’s all about enjoying some time together, and best of all the event is FREE to all SIM NJ Members, DON’T MISS IT! Free to all SIM NJ members!

September 2024 Monthly Meeting - The Day After: What Happens When the Digital Forensics People Show Up
2024-09-12 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
The Day After:
What Happens When the Digital Forensics People Show Up
Managers and Executives with Cybersecurity responsibility spend most of their focus on “preventative” controls; doing what they can to ensure the organization does not experience cybersecurity events. Talk to any one of them, however, and they will admit it is probably not a case of “if” but rather “when” such an event will occur. Many will also admit that they are probably not properly prepared for the aftermath of such an event, particularly in regard to determining exactly what happened and the extent of the compromise. Thus, many will reach out to outside consultants who will need to be supported in this mission.
Would your organization be ready to support them in this critical endeavor at such a highly stressful time? Join us for this session, led by experienced experts, where we will explore best practices to help prepare for such incidents before they occur. Don’t miss out on what promises to be an important and informative lecture and discussion. Our esteemed panelists will include:
Michael Geraghty, CISO State of NJ, Director NJ CCIC
Michael Geraghty is the State of New Jersey’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Director of the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC). In these roles Director Geraghty is responsible for the development and execution of the State’s cybersecurity strategy. He is responsible for leading and coordinating New Jersey’s cybersecurity efforts while building resiliency throughout the State and has direct responsibility for all aspects of statewide cybersecurity operations; governance, risk and compliance; and incident response. Mr. Geraghty is an accomplished cybersecurity executive with a history of building innovative and model programs in private and public sector enterprises including roles as CISO of the Hudson’s Bay Company, Chief Information Officer of the National and International Centers for Missing and Exploited Children, Vice President of High Technology Investigations at Prudential Financial, and Network Intrusion Detection Manager, Lucent Technologies/Bell Labs. Mr. Geraghty began his career with the New Jersey State Police, where he served 12 years and led the formation and development of its High Technology Crimes Investigations Unit. He has provided expert testimony before the United States Congress and in federal, state, and international courts on computer crime investigations and forensics. Geraghty is a past president of the Northeast Chapter of the High Technology Crimes Investigation Association and has held leadership roles in the National Strategic Policy Council on Cyber and Electronic Crime.
William Rassier, FBI Special Agent, Cybercrime, Financial and Healthcare Fraud
Bill has enjoyed an 8 year career in public accounting at KPMG in the financial services sector followed by a 21 year career at the FBI with expertise in the areas of financial frauds, cybersecurity, healthcare fraud, and counterterrorism. He has previously worked in the New York, Los Angeles, FBI Headquarters, and Newark offices. Currently on a Cyber Criminal squad in Newark which works network intrusions to include ransomware. He holds a CPA certification and SANS GSEC cybersecurity certification.
Michelle Lui, Supervisory Special Agent, FBI Cyber Division
Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) Liu has been in the FBI for approximately 14 years, working National Security matters in both Counterintelligence and Cyber. SSA Liu also works closely with industry to share threat indicators on cyber activity. Currently, SSA Liu is FBI’s Program Manager for Midnight Blizzard.
Chris Salerno, Chief Operating Officer, SRA
Chris is a seasoned information security leader and SRA’s Chief Operating Officer. He specializes in incident readiness and response, cyber security assessments (pen tests, purple teams, red teams), security operations, strategy & roadmaps, and advanced threat defense. His mission is to help train the next generation of cyber security professionals. He has wide-ranging industry expertise with a focus on Fortune 500 companies.

Speaker at BlackHat Arsenal, RSA Conference, Security BSides, and SecureWorld
Delivered numerous security demonstrations and security awareness training showcasing the latest tools and techniques in the field of Information Security.
Specialties: IT Security Strategy, Purple Teams, Red Teams, Penetration Testing, Incident Response, Advanced Threats, Web Application Security

Joe Fisher, Senior Cybersecurity Analyst, Affinity IT Security
Mr. Fisher has over 30 years of IT experience including application development, training, and cybersecurity consulting.
Mr. Fisher is the founder of Affinity IT Security Services, a cybersecurity consultancy which offers:

Network Security Vulnerability Assessments
Penetration Testing
Application and website Security Testing
Information Security Policies and Procedures
Information Security Governance

In addition to his role as a consultant he is a dynamic and engaging speaker, and has spoken on cybersecurity topics at ICSJWG, SCADA Tech Summit, SIMPosium, QCon, OWASP, JavaSIG, NJMMA, Chamber of Commerce, and Regional IIB meetings.
Mr. Fisher is an enthusiastic member of OWASP and is Past President and current Trustee of the of the NJ Chapter of the Society of Information Management (SIM). 5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 Presentation and Q&A
8:00 Networking

October 2024 Monthly Meeting
2024-10-10 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
AI deployments are gaining traction in businesses around the world. They are also gaining traction within the halls of governments with the implementation of the EU AI Act as of Aug 1, 2024, and numerous States also forming Task Forces and Committees exploring regulations. Join us on Oct 10, 2024 for an insightful panel session, sponsored by Robert Half, as we delve into the legal implications of AI. Our expert panelists will explore the evolving legal landscape surrounding AI technologies, discussing critical issues such as compliance, data privacy, and ethical considerations. Gain valuable insights into how AI is reshaping the technology field and what businesses need to know to navigate this rapidly changing environment.
Event Sponsor

Our Speakers

Tyler Bryk
LinkedIn
Empowering people to use AI responsibly is what drives Tyler Bryk in his role as Head of Artificial Intelligence at PTC Therapeutics, Inc. Tyler joined PTC in 2018, after attending graduate school in the field of Applied Artificial Intelligence at Stevens Institute of Technology. His time at Stevens prepared him for his role at PTC, where he founded and currently leads the AI & Machine Learning department. Through Tyler’s vision, the PTC AI & ML team strives to create innovative AI solutions that aid in delivering best in-class biotech, with a core focus being on AI-enhanced drug discovery, and clinical trial optimization. Throughout his journey at PTC, Tyler has paved the way for others aspiring to be leaders in the AI space. He has played a part in numerous initiatives, including his most recent endeavor of creating PTC’s Responsible AI Committee, which brought together a group of cross-functional executives to discuss and promote the ethical use of AI. Tyler also sits on BioNJ’s AI & Digital Health committee and has served as a trusted advisor to various subgroups of NJ Governor Phil Murphy’s AI Task Force.
Dr. Robert Spangler
LinkedIn
Dr. Robert Spangler currently serves as the CISO of the NJ State Bar Association, is the Co-Chair of the NJSBA’s AI Taskforce and a member of the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Committee on Artificial Intelligence. He holds a Doctorate is in Business Administration and recently completed his Cybersecurity Certification from MIT.
Elijah Low
LinkedIn
Elijah Low is an experienced entrepreneur with a demonstrated history of providing solutions across high tech, economic development and public-private partnerships. He is also the CEO of AI Matrix Solutions where he provides organizations with a roadmap for the use of AI and the author of Amazon’s best-seller, “Navigating AI with Faith.”
Moderator

Chris Tyrrell
LinkedIn
Chris is a Senior Financial Services Executive with expertise in managing risk from digital asset activities in traditional financial institutions and crypto-native businesses. His expertise spans Operational Risk, Enterprise Risk, Compliance, Data Governance, Automation, Change Management, Data Privacy, Data Protection, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Platform and Systems Development. Chris also holds his JD from the University of Virginia and is completing his master’s degree at the University of Oxford in Practical Ethics, focused on AI and Data Ethics. 5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 Presentation and Q&A
8:00 Networking Please register for the event below.
Please note that registration at the event will be $85.00 for members.

November 2024 Monthly Meeting - Unlock Your Job Search Potential—Mastering the Art of Working with Recruiters!
2024-11-14 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Join us with Steven Swan from the Swan Group and Christine Cronin from Eisai Pharmaceuticals for an informative session where we will explore strategies to help our members effectively engage with recruiters and enhance their job search. This meeting will cover:

How to maximize recruiter support and create win-win relationships.
Insights into what hiring managers are looking for in candidates.
Key strategies for recruiters and how to find and engage them effectively.
Preparation tips for introductory recruiter interviews (not position-specific).
Guidance on how much detail to share with recruiters.
Ways recruiters can assist in targeting specific roles, companies, or positions.
An overview of different types of recruiter engagements: retained, internal, external, etc.
Structuring your job search day for maximum efficiency, including networking, applications, and skill development.
Common characteristics and skills that differentiate successful candidates.

Whether you are actively job hunting or looking to enhance your understanding of the recruitment process, this meeting will provide valuable insights to help you stand out in today’s competitive job market.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and network!
Our esteemed panelists will include:

Steve Swan, CEO and Principal at The Swan Group Executive Search Firm
Steve Swan stands at the helm of The Swan Group Executive Search Firm as its CEO and Principal, carving a niche in the Pharma/Biotech industries with a keen focus on IT.
His fervor for industry insights and a knack for bridging the gap between top professionals and industry demands have been instrumental in elevating organizations and propelling careers forward.
Steve helms the popular podcast “Biotech Bytes.” A show that offers a stage for dialogue with IT luminaries in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals. Each episode delves into the minds of industry trailblazers, unpacking best practices and strategies that shape the life sciences realm.
Steve’s academic background in Psychology has helped him to understand both parties’ deeper needs and motivations which is paramount to delivering candidates who become long-term assets to the company. At the core of The Swan Group’s philosophy is the ability to discern and fulfill what success means for both candidates and clients.
Outside of work, Steve, once an avid mountain bike racer, has reignited his passion for cycling and aspires to traverse the U.S. on two wheels. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and two daughters.

Christine Cronin, Associate Director of Talent Acquisition at Eisai Pharmaceuticals
Christine Cronin is a seasoned Talent Acquisition Professional with over 20 years of experience in the
recruitment industry, spanning various sectors including retail, financial services, healthcare, and
biotech/pharmaceuticals. Specializing in sourcing and hiring top-tier talent, Christine has a proven track
record of building high-performing, diverse teams in both midsized and Fortune 500 companies.
Currently, Christine serves as the Associate Director of Talent Acquisition at Eisai Pharmaceuticals in
Nutley, NJ. In this role, she leads the Talent Acquisition team, supporting recruitment efforts across the
United States in various functional areas. Christine is passionate about fostering inclusive workplaces
and is dedicated to implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives that attract a wide range of
candidates. She leverages advanced recruitment technologies and social media platforms to reach and
engage top talent.
With a keen eye for identifying potential and a deep understanding of market trends, Christine excels in
creating strategic hiring plans that align with company goals. Her expertise spans full-cycle recruiting
and a broad range of HR functions, including employee relations, compensation, and benefits.
Christine holds a BS in Management from Rutgers University and an MBA in Human Resources
Management from Seton Hall University. As a lifelong New Jersey resident, she enjoys spending
summers at the NJ Shore with her family. 5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 Presentation and Q&A
8:00 Networking Please register for the event below.
Please note that registration at the event will be $85.00 for members.

2024 Holiday Celebration
2024-12-08 17:00 - 21:00 | 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 Sunday, December 8, 2024, 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: Sunday, December 8, 2024
? Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
? Location: The Madison Hotel
? Cost: $110 per member plus 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—bring friends, colleagues, and family to share in the joy of the season.

January 2025 Monthly Meeting - Digital Twins
2025-01-09 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Digital Twins are virtual replicas of physical systems, processes, or objects that enable businesses to bridge the gap between the real and digital worlds. By combining real-time data, advanced simulation models, and machine learning algorithms, Digital Twins allow organizations to visualize, monitor, and optimize their assets and operations like never before.
With Digital Twins, industries can:

Enhance Operational Efficiency: Predict and resolve potential issues before they occur, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
Boost Innovation: Test scenarios and prototypes in the digital realm, accelerating product development and improving outcomes.
Achieve Precision: Make data-driven decisions with unparalleled accuracy, using real-time insights and predictive analytics.
Improve Sustainability: Optimize resource usage and minimize waste through smarter management of assets and processes.

From manufacturing and healthcare to smart cities and aerospace, Digital Twins are transforming industries, empowering businesses to deliver exceptional value, and setting a new standard for operational excellence. Embrace the future with Digital Twins—your key to smarter, more efficient systems.
About the Speaker
Dr. Anthony Cristillo, PhD, MS, MBA is a leader within Health Technology and supports the development and modernization of health systems as well as the application of bioinformatics, development and application of Digital Twins, AI/ML/NLP, and GenAI applied to clinical and health informatics in support of decision making. Dr. Cristillo has 25+ years of experience in biomedical research and bioinformatics/health informatics focused on the development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics targeting infectious and non-infectious diseases. He has applied his knowledge of and experience with informatics/advanced analytics, data management systems, programming languages and other aspects of information systems to develop, implement, modernize/transform and leverage systems throughout the health ecosystem. 5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 Presentation and Q&A
8:00 Networking Please register for the event below.
Please note that registration at the event will be $85.00 for members.

February 2025 Monthly Meeting - FinOps: Cloud Financial Management - Present & Future
2025-02-13 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
In recent years we have seen IT environments and related processes has changed significantly and Cloud adoption services are accelerated by multi-fold. It is quite evident that most of enterprises are moving away from their traditional on-prem hosting to public cloud. As more organizations are adopting hybrid, multi-cloud patterns, they are struggling to optimize the value and to control cloud spend. Which in turn also has resulted in capital expenditure getting converted into operational expenses. As per Gartner report, by 2025, Enterprise spending from traditional IT will decrease and it will overtake by Cloud operational expenses.
Public cloud / Hybrid cloud consumption continues to grow at an exponential pace and CIOs across the enterprises are challenged with attaining the desired cost savings of migration to the cloud. Below are some of the key questions you need to consider

How do we manage spiraling cloud costs and ensure we are making the most effective and efficient use of cloud services, in a pro-active manner?
How do we ensure we are getting the most value from our cloud investments and getting the most business value from our cloud spend?
How do we get our organization speaking the same language when it comes to cloud spend, especially between finance, IT and the business and are aligned around a common direction?

Hear directly from the experts on the “Good, Bad & Ugly” while managing the Hybrid Cloud?
CXO’s are looking for the next generation Hybrid Cloud Operating Model that is enabled by the best Hybrid Cloud Management Platform, Cloud Fin Ops, Automation, AIOps, Intelligent workflows and cloud native practices such as DevSecOps and Site Reliability Engineering delivered at enterprise scale.

About the Panel Members
Madhu Kumar, Founder & CEO, Amadis Technologies
Shashi Mullay, Managing Director, EY
Natarajan Subramanian, VP IT Systems Engineering, Broadridge 5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 Presentation and Q&A
8:00 Networking Please register for the event below.
Please note that registration at the event will be $85.00 for members.

March 2025 Monthly Meeting
2025-03-13 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Join us for an exciting evening of AI insights in Customer Experience and networking at the SIM NJ AI Panel & The Bridgecast Live Recording! In partnership with Bridgepointe, this event brings together top IT leaders, CIOs, and tech enthusiasts to explore the future of AI and IT strategy. The panel will be moderated by Scott Kinka, host of The Bridgecast Podcast, and will be recorded for a future episode.
Event Sponsor
5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 The Bridgecast Live Recording & AI Panel
8:00 Networking Please register for the event below.
Please note that registration at the event will be $85.00 for members.

HMG 17th Annual New Jersey C-Level Technology Leadership Summit
2025-04-29 08:00 - 17:00 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
In an era of unprecedented technological advancements, this is a pivotal moment for technology leaders. Beyond Moore’s Law, the rise of large language models (LLMs), generative AI, and Nvidia’s GPU dominance presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for visionary business tech leaders—CEOs, CIOs, CISOs, and CTOs. These leaders must navigate this Supercycle of innovation and disruption with fearless and courageous leadership to capture new business models and opportunities through Gen AI initiatives. Top technology leaders will provide strategic and visionary insights into the technology Supercycle of innovation, disruption, and invention. This session will equip you with the knowledge and foresight needed to lead your organization into the future.

May 2025 Monthly Meeting
2025-05-08 17:30 - 20:30 | Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, United States
Win When They Say You Won’t: Break Through Barriers and Keep Leveling Up Your Success

Daphne E. Jones is a corporate board member who has held SVP, CIO and other leadership positions at Fortune 500 companies including IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Hospira (now Pfizer) and General Electric. Drawn from her own rags to riches story, her book, WIN WHEN THEY SAY YOU WON’T: Break Through Barriers and Keep Leveling Up Your Success, is Daphne’s inspiring guide to help anyone achieve the career of their dreams with a winning mindset and proven playbook.

Join us as Daphne shares her experiences and strategies to achieve the dream career with a winning mindset and proven playbook.
5:30 Registration and Networking
6:15 Dinner
6:45 Business Meeting
7:00 Presentation and Q&A
8:00 Networking Please register for the event below.
Please note that registration at the event will be $85.00 for members.

SIM NJ Wine Tasting Event
2025-07-09 18:00 - 21:00 | Loucas Restaurant, Edison, NJ, United States
Looking to taste a few wines and learn a bit about them? Join us on July 9 for a light-hearted, yet educational wine tasting workshop, led by perhaps SIM’s greatest wine expert, Mikhail Papovsky.
Mikhail Papovsky is a win-for-all business model advocate. His ideas can be found in Forbes.com, CIO.com, TEDx, his own series of blogs, and public speaking. Mikhail is a founder and CEO of Massaro, a management consulting firm focused on outcomes from IT investments. He has been a SIM member since 2011, SIM Boston’s MCD chair since 2018, and a SIM sponsor on chapter and national levels since 2015.
Mikhail is a certified Wine Oenophile. He is also an Ambassador for Chevaliers de la Chanterpleur in Vouvray, France. He has a passion for wine education with an approach that takes mystery and complexity out and expands knowledge of wine enthusiasts of every level.
The fine print:

This is an “invitation only” event, and this invitation is not transferable.
This is a free event, sponsored by Massaro. Attendance is limited to 25 members. If you register and are unable to attend, we ask that you let us know as soon as possible so that others may attend in your place.

To register for this complimentary SIM NJ Member event, or if you have any questions, email Pasquale Cirullo at pcirullo@simnj.org.

Summer Barbecue
2025-08-14 17:00 - 21:00 | Deutscher Club, 787 Featherbed Ln, Clark, NJ, 07066, United States
Join us for SIM NJ’s annual “free and informal” summer BBQ event. We are returning to the Deutscher Club in Clark, New Jersey.
You asked, and we listened! Based on the feedback we received from last year’s barbecue, we have added vegetarian options, adjusted the beverage options, and, weather permitting, are hoping to be able to grill during the event.
Please dress casually and come to enjoy an evening of delicious food, interesting cocktails, and great company with your fellow SIM NJ members. As always, there will be no formal presentation or speaker at this event. It’s all about enjoying time catching up and best of all, the event is FREE to all SIM NJ Members, DON’T MISS IT!
