In-Person

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 headshot

Pank Kapur

Director, Value Creation - Americas

Google Cloud

Philip Barnes headshot

Philip Barnes

CIO, Community Banking and Wealth

Old National

Radha Chavali headshot

Radha Chavali

CIO

Affinity Credit Union

Julie Flaschenriem headshot

Julie Flaschenriem

CIO

Hennepin Healthcare

Zach Hughes headshot

Zach Hughes

VP, IT

CHS

Ylan Kazi headshot

Ylan Kazi

Chief Data & AI Officer

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota

Josh Woodrum headshot

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

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

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.


Your Community Sponsors

CIO Thought Leader

Community Program Manager

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

Zander Petersen

Community Program Manager

4063340760

zander.petersen@gartner.com