
Minneapolis CIO Community
Inner Circle
August 12, 2025 | Pinstripes
August 12, 2025
Pinstripes
Collaborate with your peers
Join Minneapolis'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
Minneapolis 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

Melissa Flicek
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota
CIO

Tammylynne Jonas
Donaldson
Global CIO

Amy Landucci
Solventum
CIO

Tarek Tomes
State of Minnesota
CIO & Commissioner
Agenda
August 12, 2025
4:30pm - 5:30pm Executive Networking Reception
5:30pm - 6:30pm Discussion Topics
Balancing Budget and Technological Advancements Amidst Global Uncertainty

Pank Kapur
Director, Value Creation - Americas
Google Cloud

Philip Barnes
CIO, Community Banking and Wealth
Old National

Radha Chavali
CIO
Affinity Credit Union

Julie Flaschenriem
CIO
Hennepin Healthcare

Zach Hughes
VP, IT
CHS

Ylan Kazi
Chief Data & AI Officer
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota

Josh Woodrum
CIO, Optum Financial Technology, Consumer Digital
Optum
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
Apply to Participate
Apply to participate in the Minneapolis CIO Community Inner Circle.
Gartner facilitates exclusive, C-level communities by personally qualifying and understanding the priorities, challenges and interests of each member.
Our selective approach maintains the high quality of the network and ensures top-level discussions with peers from the world’s leading organizations.
Each application will be reviewed, and once your participation is confirmed, you will have access to year-round community programs.
Location
Venue
PinstripesMore Information
Directions & Parking
When driving on France Ave, turn onto Gallagher Dr.
Take the first right into the shared parking lot.
On the immediate left, you'll find the ramp to the complimentary parking garage. Alternatively, you can try the surface parking spots in front. These are also free, but please heed the signage, as some spots have time limits.
If you opt for the garage:
Use either the stairs or the elevator to go down to the main street level. If you take the stairs, go left and walk straight towards Pinstripes. Make another left when you spot our patio. If you use the elevator, exit through the vestibule. Walk straight until you see the patio, then turn left and proceed to the front desk for your table or event space.
Community Program Manager
For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.