Minneapolis CIO Executive Summit

In high-achieving environments, the drive to succeed often comes at a quiet cost: exhaustion, disconnection, and a sense that no matter how much we accomplish, it’s never quite enough. When productivity becomes the only measure of worth, rest feels impossible—and burnout starts to look like the norm. But it doesn’t have to be.

In this keynote Kara Hardin, mental health educator and former lawyer, explores why our current approach to performance is backfiring—and what we can do instead. Through research, relatable stories, and practical tools, we’ll unpack:

• How common ideas about time, efficiency, and productivity are quietly harming individual and collective well-being
• Why mental health isn’t the reward for high performance—it’s the foundation
• What leaders can do (for themselves and their teams) to build a healthier, more sustainable relationship with work

This session is for anyone who wants to do meaningful work without losing themselves in the process.

In today's rapidly evolving IT landscape, businesses are grappling with complex infrastructure challenges while seeking to harness the power of generative AI to drive innovation and operational efficiency. CIOs must spearhead strategy at the critical intersection of infrastructure and GenAI.

Join this boardroom to discuss:

• Integrating GenAI into your existing infrastructure
• Addressing business challenges such as optimizing resource allocation, enhancing security and improving scalability
• Using GenAI to streamline operations and accelerate digital transformation

Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Evanta’s Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

Organizations must navigate an ever-evolving landscape of dynamic market conditions, shifting customer expectations and relentless technological advancements. Purpose-driven leadership offers a solution by aligning strategy, people, and technology for sustainable growth.

Join this session for actionable insights on:

• Leading change effectively through cultural alignment and digital innovation
• Strengthening technological infrastructure to harness the power of analytics and AI
• Fostering a connected customer journey

Leading CIOs seek to create a seamless user experience and leverage AI for superior customer outcomes. By creating more intimate and personalized interactions, AI can significantly improve client satisfaction and drive business growth. 

Join this session to learn how to: 

• Streamline processes and tailor AI insights for a better customer experience
• Capture and analyze customer interactions to derive actionable insights 
• Increase the efficiency and effectiveness in customer-facing functions

Managing complex IT infrastructures and multi-cloud environments is challenging. According to a recent IBM study, 81% of IT executives believe reducing IT complexity creates a competitive advantage. Real gains can materialize when leveraging observability tools and other best practices to move being reactive to predictive.

Join this session to discuss:

• Navigating IT complexity and reducing costs
• Proactive IT management with observability
• Strategic resource optimization through automation