CIO & CISO Think Tank

The Future of IT & Cybersecurity

Date

March 12, 2026

Location

Minneapolis, MN

Community

CIO / CISO

Agenda

March 12, 2026
All times Central Time
8:30 AM-9:15 AM
Registration
9:15 AM-10:00 AM
Morning Networking
10:00 AM-10:10 AM
Opening Remarks
10:10 AM-10:35 AM
Keynote
SASE in 2026: An Enterprise Roadmap for Scalable, and Converged Networking and Security

Enterprises are at a pivotal moment in their security and networking evolution. Hybrid work is permanent, cloud and SaaS adoption continue to accelerate, and AI-driven threats are increasing both in speed and sophistication. As users, applications, and data move beyond the traditional perimeter, enterprises must deliver consistent security and optimized access—everywhere—without increasing operational complexity.

This keynote explores how Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) provides a unified, architecture-driven approach to converging networking and security. Attendees will gain a practical roadmap for evolving toward a scalable SASE strategy in 2026—one that strengthens identity-centric controls, simplifies operations, reduces architectural sprawl, and enables enterprises to modernize incrementally while protecting existing investments.

Together with:

Fortinet
10:40 AM-11:35 AM
Keynote Panel
Chief Architect Network: Designing Adaptive Enterprises in the Future Age of Emerging Technologies

Emerging technologies are no longer isolated innovations, they are converging forces reshaping the enterprise core. From agentic AI and quantum computing to edge intelligence, composable architectures, and post-quantum security, today’s Chief Architects are redefining how organizations design for resilience, speed, and scale.

This high-impact panel brings together leading Chief Architects to explore how enterprise architecture must evolve to support autonomous systems, real-time data ecosystems, and cloud-native platforms—without compromising governance, interoperability, or long-term sustainability. The discussion will move beyond hype to focus on practical design patterns, modernization strategies, and architectural principles that enable innovation at scale.

Panelists
Linda Finley

Speaker

Linda Finley

Community Founder, President and Board Chair

Twin Cities Business Architecture Forum

Linda Finley is a global digital enterprise leader, consultant, and advisor with extensive experience in strategy, business architecture, and organizational transformation. She leverages coaching, education, and practical frameworks to help executives and organizations achieve desired maturity, drive high-value results, and improve organizational health. Linda is also the Founder and Board Chair of the Twin Cities Business Architecture Forum (TCBAF), promoting business architecture best practices and connecting professionals since 2010.
Steven Peterson

Speaker

Steven Peterson

Chief Architect

Aon

Steven Peterson is Chief Architect at AON Reinsurance, with extensive experience building technology solutions in healthcare and life sciences. He specializes in enterprise architecture, large-scale transformation initiatives, and aligning technology strategy with broader business objectives. Steven has led high-profile projects at Fortune 5 companies, contributed to government and defense programs, and mentors youth in technology and AI initiatives.
Manu Goyal (1)

Speaker

Manu Goyal

CTO

SmartStory

Manu Goyal is CTO at SmartStory, leading product and technology strategy for AI-powered platforms in regulated healthcare and fintech. He has scaled global teams of 350+, managed $70M+ budgets, and delivered $500M+ in new revenue through AI/ML innovation, cloud modernization, and platform engineering. Manu specializes in healthcare interoperability, SaaS architecture, regulatory compliance, and building people-centric engineering and product organizations that connect strategy to execution.
Manisha  Datye

Speaker

Manisha Datye

Strategic Technology Enterprise Architect

ECOLAB

Manisha Datye is a visionary technology executive driving business transformation and operational excellence. Currently serving as Strategic Technology Advisor at Ecolab, she leads the strategy to unify and modernize platforms, enabling customer-centric capabilities across Field, Sales, and Corporate functions. She partners cross-functionally to align technology strategy with business outcomes, focusing on unified customer support, enterprise intranet modernization, and digital subscription and self-service capabilities. Manisha has a proven track record of steering large-scale digital transformations, modernizing legacy systems, and delivering measurable business results. She specializes in scalable, cloud-native solutions, leveraging AI, fostering high-performing global teams, and advancing operational efficiency while cultivating a culture of innovation and collaboration.
11:35 AM-11:55 AM
Coffee Break
11:55 AM-12:20 PM
Keynote
How Your Tech Debt is Hindering AI Adoption

Three out of five organizations say it is likely or highly likely that data leakage will occur based on their current IT and security infrastructure. This new survey data reflects the high volume of sensitive data flowing through consumer web browsers and the complexities involved in keeping it secure. Join this session to discover a new approach to enterprise operations -- the modern alternative to legacy systems, inefficient application delivery methods, and outdated security controls.

Attendees will discover:

  • How the steady accumulation of disparate IT and security solutions creates technical debt.
  • Why operational and security challenges impact not just IT -- but end user productivity and the business itself
  • A new, modern approach to enterprise application delivery that simplifies IT, strengthens security, and enhances end user productivity.

Together with:

Island.io
12:20 PM-1:05 PM
Panel
The Age of Innovation: Control, Collaboration, and the Next Frontier of Automation

Agentic AI, autonomous systems that perceive, reason, and act with minimal human intervention is poised to redefine how work gets done. As these intelligent agents move beyond experimentation into enterprise-scale deployments, organizations must prepare to fundamentally rearchitect their digital environments.

This panel will explore how leaders can operationalize agentic AI to drive efficiency, creativity, and strategic advantage while preserving oversight, governance, and trust. Discussion topics will include designing workflows around autonomous decision-making, managing human-agent collaboration, and navigating emerging risks such as bias, security, and operational drift. Join us as we unpack what it truly means to lead in an era of intelligent, action-oriented AI and how to ensure these agents serve both your innovation goals and core business values.

Panelists
Bill Kloster

Speaker

Bill Kloster

CIO and Principal

SEH

Bill Kloster is Chief Information Officer and Principal at SEH, responsible for delivering reliable IT services, managing security risks, and executing the company’s technology strategy. He specializes in large program delivery, infrastructure operations, distributed and cloud computing, and technology leadership for financial services, HR, marketing, sales, and engineering teams. Bill combines strategic planning with hands-on execution to align IT capabilities with business objectives.
Jamshid Vayghan

Speaker

Jamshid Vayghan, Ph.D.

CTO, Digital Shift Advisor / Former CTO & Distinguished Engineer

Kyndryl

Jamshid Vayghan is a global technology executive, enterprise architect, and AI expert with a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence. As CTO and Distinguished Engineer at Kyndryl, he advises strategic markets worldwide, helping organizations modernize, transform, and leverage AI, ML, cloud, and emerging technologies for tangible business outcomes. Jamshid combines hands-on expertise in AI, data, and enterprise architecture with global leadership, mentoring, and a focus on building scalable, future-ready solutions.
Saima Gonsalves

Speaker

Saima Gonsalves

CIO

TyMe Institute

Saima Gonsalves is Chief Information Officer at TyMe Institute, leading healthcare IT and AI-driven digital transformation initiatives. With 24+ years of experience in PMO, project management, and business leadership, she drives strategic growth, operational efficiency, and customer-focused technology solutions. Saima specializes in cross-functional team leadership, change management, process improvement, and delivering measurable business impact through innovative healthcare technologies.
Grant Ecker

Speaker

Grant Ecker

Chief Enterprise Architect

ECOLAB

Grant Ecker is the Founder and Chairman of the Chief Architect Network, and most recently the Vice President Chief Enterprise Architect at Danaher where he partnered closely with the architects across the company to lead strategy development, establish technology standards and to identify opportunities for modernization and transformation.  Prior to Danaher, Grant was the VP, Global Head of Architecture at Walgreens Boots Alliance, and he held a similar role at Medtronic. Earlier in Grant’s career he held architecture and management roles with expanding responsibility at Lowe’s and General Mills.  Grant is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, he received an MBA from University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, and his BS in Computer Science from Washington University in St. Louis.  Grant is a board member of the Women in Architecture initiative and he holds various board advisory roles out of Chicago, Illinois. Please connect with Grant at
1:05 PM-2:00 PM
Lunch & Networking
2:00 PM-2:15 PM
Disruptor
Building Resilience in the Face of Chaos: Lessons Learned from Crisis

How do you build a cybersecurity program in the face of a future of increasing unknowns? AI-driven and AI-augmented attacks, supply chain attacks, and quantum computing are changing the security threats that we currently protect against, in both predictable and unpredictable ways. Being able to defend against these new threats will take more than just point solutions - it will require a culture of adaptability and a structure that can learn and flex to meet these new challenges. Born from experiences where chaos has forced organizations to change, learn how to build adaptability into your security program.

Together with:

Arctic Wolf
2:20 PM-2:55 PM
Fireside Chat
Securing the Rise of Agentic AI: Trust, Control, and Resilience in Autonomous Systems

As agentic AI systems evolve from experimental tools to enterprise-grade digital workers—capable of making decisions, taking actions, and adapting in real time—they introduce a new paradigm of both possibility and risk. Unlike traditional automation, agentic AI operates with greater autonomy, raising urgent questions for security leaders: How do we ensure control? How do we manage risk when systems learn, act, and adapt independently?

This panel will explore the security implications of deploying agentic AI across business operations—from data privacy and decision integrity to real-time threat mitigation and adversarial AI risks. We'll dive into the intersection of governance, identity management, and AI observability, and how CISOs can build frameworks that safeguard both the systems and the outcomes.

3:00 PM-3:20 PM
Networking Break
3:45 PM-4:20 PM
Panel
The Human Side of Tech: Why Soft Skills Are the Real Superpower

In a world obsessed with digital transformation, AI, and automation, it’s easy to forget the power of human connection. But the truth is technology doesn’t lead, people do. As roles evolve and teams become more cross-functional, the ability to listen, influence, adapt, and collaborate has become just as critical as technical expertise.

Today’s CIOs, CISOs, and tech leaders are expected not only to drive innovation, but to communicate across departments, manage diverse teams, and navigate uncertainty with empathy and clarity. Emotional intelligence, storytelling, active listening, and resilience are no longer “nice to have” they’re essential for anyone leading in a fast-moving, high-stakes environment.

Nowhere is this leadership shift more relevant than in the US particularly in Minneapolis, a city built on creativity, reinvention, and cultural diversity. Here, the ability to connect across perspectives isn’t just a professional skill—it’s a way of life. As tech and business worlds converge, Minneapolis’s unique blend of innovation and human-centered thinking offers the perfect backdrop to explore how soft skills are reshaping the future of leadership.

This session dives into why the most successful executives are blending EQ with IQ to inspire trust, build alignment, and drive lasting impact.

Panelists
Conan Sandberg

Speaker

Conan Sandberg

Sr. Director, Cybersecurity

Platform Science

Conan Sandberg is Senior Director of Cyber Security at Platform Science, building scalable security programs and leading enterprise cyber strategy across AWS, endpoint, and network environments. A USAF veteran, he specializes in SOC development, Zero Trust, API security, and regulatory compliance (HIPAA, HITRUST, SOC 2, ISO 27001), aligning cybersecurity with business growth, digital transformation, and M&A. Conan is recognized for executive influence, cross-functional collaboration, and embedding security as a strategic advantage.
Arin Brown

Speaker

Arin Brown

CTO

SeaChange

Arin Brown is Chief Technology Officer at SeaChange Print Innovations, leading digital transformation, AI-driven automation, and enterprise data platforms. He has grown the company from a $10M print operation into a $40M technology-enabled marketing and data services organization, aligning technology strategy with business outcomes, revenue growth, and competitive advantage. Arin specializes in platform modernization, cybersecurity compliance (HITRUST, SOC2, PCI-DSS, HIPAA), and building high-performance technology organizations.
Kenny Vargas

Speaker

Kenny Vargas

MD, Head of Software & Data Engineering

Piper Sandler

Kenny Vargas is Managing Director and Head of Software and Data Engineering at Piper Sandler, leading the modernization of software and data platforms through AI, RPA, analytics, and full-stack development. With 20+ years of experience, he delivers scalable solutions that enhance firm performance while mentoring teams to foster innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence.
Frank Ross

Speaker

Frank Ross

Director, Cybersecurity

Andersen Corporation

Frank Ross is Director of Cybersecurity at Andersen Corporation, with previous experience leading Enterprise Information Security and Enterprise Architecture. He specializes in business enablement, data protection, and defensible architecture while empowering teams to deliver secure and effective technology solutions. Frank brings a strong focus on aligning security strategy with organizational goals and operational excellence.
4:20 PM-4:30 PM
Closing Remarks & Raffle Giveaway
4:30 PM-5:30 PM
Cocktail Reception

Together With

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