In-Person

Chicago CIO Community

Inner Circle

September 18, 2025 | Joe's Live

September 18, 2025
Joe's Live

Collaborate with your peers

Join Chicago's top CIOs for an intimate networking dinner and facilitated discussion on key business challenges. Enjoy a relaxed evening of dinner and drinks with your peers to share best practices, make new connections and build professional relationships.

Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CIOs today:

Driving innovation while bracing for potential budget cuts

Fostering innovation and collaboration with an eye on the bottom line

Chicago CIO Governing Body

The Governing Body Co-Chairs shape the discussion topics and agenda, ensuring that all content is driven By CIOs, For CIOs®.

Governing Body Co-Chairs

Rita Fisher

Reynolds Consumer Products
CIO and EVP, Supply Chain

Ron Guerrier

Save the Children
CTO

Rajeev Khanna

Trucordia
CIO

Laura Kohl

Morningstar
CIO

Mike Parisi

ITW
VP CIO

Jane Possell

CNA
EVP, Chief Information Officer, Analytics, Operations

Gagan Singh

Ascension
Chief Information Officer

Tom South

Northern Trust
CIO

Agenda

September 18, 2025

4:30pm - 5:30pm  Executive Networking Reception

5:30pm - 6:30pm  Discussion Topics

Balancing Budget and Technological Advancements Amidst Global Uncertainty

Eyal Altman headshot

Eyal Altman

SVP & Chief Digital and IT Officer

Littelfuse

Jeff Douglas headshot

Jeff Douglas

SVP, CIO

Potbelly Sandwich Works

Neeraj Kumar headshot

Neeraj Kumar

CIO

Roosevelt University

Kristina Paschall headshot

Kristina Paschall

CIO

Madison Air

Raj Sampoornam headshot

Raj Sampoornam

SVP & CIO

Byline Bank

In today's unpredictable economic environment, enterprise CIOs are tasked with driving technological innovation while managing financial constraints. The pressure to deliver cutting-edge solutions that drive competitive advantage is greater than ever. However, this must be balanced with prudent financial stewardship as budgets tighten due to economic fluctuations.

Technology leaders are already leveraging advancements in AI, cloud and data analytics to optimize business processes and create value while maintaining a keen focus on cost. But they must also foster a culture of collaboration across departments to ensure that technology initiatives are strategically aligned with broader business objectives.

  • This session will delve into strategies that CIOs can employ to advance technology initiatives without compromising fiscal responsibility, ensuring that their organizations remain agile and resilient.
  • Has the global economy caused you to reprioritize your technology initiatives? If so, what is staying at the forefront and what are the first items to go?
  • How are you balancing the demand for innovation with the necessity of cost control in technology deployment?
  • What role do you play in driving technology innovation and highly productive teams while ensuring fiscal responsibility across the enterprise?
  • What resources are you leveraging to keep pace with shifts in regulation? 
  • What best practices have you uncovered for communicating the associated impact on technology strategy with the broader business?
  • How are you collaborating with your CFO to align technology initiatives with financial strategies for shared success?
  • What role do your existing vendors play in how you (re)prioritize new technology initiatives?

6:30pm - 7:00pm  Networking Break

7:00pm - 8:00pm  Summary Discussion & Dinner

8:00pm - 9:00pm  Social Hour

We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming in-person gathering

Gartner cares about the health and safety of our community. Please review the following recommendations prior to attending the gathering.

Location

More Information

Parking

FREE parking is available in the garage at Parkway Bank Park. Please bring your ticket with you to validate at a machine located inside Joe’s Live.

Your Community Sponsors

Program Sponsors

Community Program Manager

For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.

Heather Bolick

Sr. Community Program Manager

heather.bolick@gartner.com