Phoenix CIO Community
Executive Summit
November 4, 2026 | Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel
November 4, 2026
Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel
Collaborate with your peers
Get together with Phoenix's top CIOs to tackle shared business challenges and critical priorities facing your role today. Participate in this one-day, local program with peer-driven topics and interactive discussions with your true C-level peers.
Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CIOs today:
Lead Strategic Technology Alignment to Establish an AI Operating Model
Manage Costs Strategically to Maximize Business Value
Elevate Cybersecurity as a Core Driver of Business Value, Resilience and Growth
Phoenix CIO Governing Body
The Governing Body Co-Chairs shape the summit agenda, ensuring that all content is driven By CIOs, For CIOs®.
Governing Body Co-Chairs

Gary Desai
Discount Tire
CIO

Ed Dzadovsky
Circle K
EVP, CTO

Raghu Santanam Ph.D.
Arizona State University
Sr Associate Dean, Information Systems - W. P. Carey School of Business

J.R. Sloan
State of Arizona
State CIO
What to Expect
Agenda
8:00am - 8:30am Registration & Breakfast
8:30am - 9:15am Gartner Keynote
Prepare Your Organization to Adapt Safely — Whatever Comes Next
Janelle Hill
Distinguished VP Analyst
Gartner
CEOs and boards increasingly view digital and AI technologies as essential drivers of growth amid ongoing market volatility, geopolitical uncertainty and rising cyber risk. To help their organizations thrive in this environment, CIOs and CISOs must work in lockstep to modernize operating models, accelerate innovation and build resilience across the enterprise. Join this keynote to explore:
- Maturing operating models to better enable business strategy
- Building governance that enables secure, scalable digital delivery
- Elevating the CIO and CISO as strategic business leaders and growth enablers
9:15am - 9:40am Networking Break
9:40am - 10:25am Breakout Session
GenAI— A Generational Paradigm Shift
Hosted by Concentric AI
Madhu Shashanka
Cofounder, Chief Scientist and Co-CTO
Concentric AI
Generative AI has rapidly evolved from a curiosity into a core driver of enterprise productivity. But as employees embrace its ability to generate content, code, and insights on demand, a new reality is emerging: data security is now the defining challenge of AI adoption. Organizations that recognize this shift early and proactively adapt their data security strategies will be best positioned to innovate with confidence.
Join this session to discover:
What makes GenAI fundamentally different and its impact on business operations and risk
Where unintended data exposure and downstream consequences can arise
How to adopt AI responsibly without slowing innovation
9:40am - 10:25am Executive Boardroom
Way Beyond IT — CIOs Leading the Digital and Operational Enterprise
Andrew Barnauskas
Executive VP & Chief Information Officer
Banner
The CIO role has expanded far beyond traditional IT. Today's technology leaders are expected to help drive growth, strengthen cyber and data security, enable AI adoption, modernize operations and ensure technology investments deliver measurable business outcomes. As IT and OT continue to converge, CIOs are increasingly responsible for connecting the digital and physical sides of the enterprise to improve efficiency, resilience and competitive advantage.
Join this boardroom session to discuss:
- Leading beyond IT to drive enterprise growth
- Bridging the gap between digital and operations systems
- Turning emerging technologies into measurable business value
10:25am - 11:10am Networking Break
10:35am - 11:00am Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.
11:10am - 11:55am Breakout Session
Explore Evolving Your D&A Operating Model with Cyera
Hosted by Cyera
Join this session to explore one of the community's top priorities this year: Evolving Your D&A Operating Model. Gain insights into key challenges, emerging approaches, and practical applications to help you navigate what's next.
11:10am - 11:55am Executive Boardroom
Strengthening Global AI Security and Governance
Hosted by Island
CISOs and CIOs must secure the enterprise as generative AI adoption grows, ensuring governance, compliance, and visibility. Employees using browser-based AI tools expose organizations to risks like data leakage, security breaches, and regulatory issues. Responsible AI adoption requires balancing innovation and control. Threats from “Shadow AI” and cross-border data flows highlight the need for strong policies that protect the enterprise and enable secure, productive AI use. By advancing security posture and robust policies, organizations can confidently manage AI-driven transformation.
Join this session to discover:
· Mitigating risks from unauthorized AI tools
· Implementing global security policies
· Safeguarding data with secure AI adoption
11:55am - 12:30pm Lunch Service
Apply to Participate
Each application is carefully vetted to ensure members meet established criteria, preserving the quality of the network and enabling meaningful, peer‑level discussions among leaders from the world’s leading organizations.
Once you submit your application, a Community Program Manager will schedule a conversation to understand your priorities and interests and complete onboarding, including access to year‑round community events.
Location
Venue & Accommodation
Renaissance Phoenix Downtown HotelParking Information:
Valet Parking Only
0-3 hours: $20
3-6 hours: $27
Overnight Valet: $46/night
Overnight Valet (Oversized Vehicles): $54/night
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel at a reduced conference rate. Reservations should be made online or by calling 1 (888) 236-2427. Please mention Phoenix Executive Summit to ensure the appropriate room rate.
Deadline to book using the discounted room rate of $339 USD (plus tax) is October 12, 2026.
Community Program Manager
For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.
