Session

Driving What Matters: CIO Priorities for 2026—Scaling Innovation, Modernization, and Measurable Impact

VIP Theater

Starts: July 22, 2026 1:00 pm
Ends: 2:00 pm
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Abstract:

As enterprises scale across hybrid and multi-cloud environments, the intersection of technology, cybersecurity, and business strategy has become a critical point of execution. CIOs and CISOs must not only secure the enterprise—but also enable speed, innovation, and measurable business impact.

In this session, senior executives will share how they are aligning priorities across IT, security, and the business, simplifying operational complexity, and building resilient organizations capable of withstanding modern threats. This conversation will provide actionable insights into how leaders are driving alignment, accountability, and value across the enterprise technology landscape.

Key Takeaways: 

  • Aligning technology and cybersecurity initiatives directly to business outcomes
  • Simplifying hybrid, multi-cloud, and legacy complexity at enterprise scale
  • Balancing speed, innovation, and security in an evolving threat landscape
  • Strengthening the CIO–CISO partnership as a driver of resilience
  • Prioritizing investments and clearly demonstrating business value

 

Speakers

Neil D. Morris

VP of Global IT, Data & AI - Chief Information Officer, Redaptive, Inc

I help boards and executive teams succeed with AI — as a CIO/CTO who builds and leads the teams, or as a strategic advisor who guides the strategy. Most AI initiatives fail. I wrote the book on why — literally. Author of "Why AI Fails: A Practical Guide for Executives Who Want to Be in the 5% That Succeed," I bring nearly 30 years of enterprise technology and engineering leadership across multiple industries including - aerospace & defense, manufacturing, services, and technology sectors. I've led IT and software engineering organizations of 300+ people, managed $100M+ technology portfolios, and partnered directly with CPOs, CROs, and C-suite peers to build products, platforms, and data architectures that drive measurable business outcomes. What I bring to the table: → CIO/CTO Leadership: Enterprise AI & IT strategy, digital transformation, DevOps & SRE, data architecture (Databricks, cloud), cybersecurity (CMMC, ISO 27001, SOC2), and M&A technology integration across organizations like Ball Aerospace, Maxar Technologies, ADT, and Redaptive → AI Strategy & Advisory: Creator of the 7 Pillar AI Framework (Strategic Clarity, Leadership Alignment, Capability Building, Pilot Discipline, Scale Strategy, Risk Management, Continuous Evolution). AI Readiness Assessments. Board-level AI governance and roadmap development → Engineering & Product Partnership: Leading engineering teams, building data lakes, cloud infrastructure that scales, AI-assisted products, and platforms in direct partnership with product and revenue leadership → Thought Leadership: Forbes Technology Council member. UCCS AI advisory board member, active with ISIM, ISACA, ColoradoCIO, RMAI, WITI. Daily LinkedIn posts on AI leadership. Weekly AI newsletter. Published author. Podcast guest. Three-time Colorado CIO of the Year ORBIE nominee I hold an active TS clearance. I'm based in Denver, Colorado — open to hybrid/onsite in Colorado or remote with travel nationally and internationally.

Jesse Carrillo

Former Chief Innovation Officer, The Howard Hughes Corporation & Founder, Carrillo Advisors, LLC