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What to Expect
Join CIOs, CISOs, and technology leaders from across the Pacific Northwest for a full day of insights, collaboration, and innovation at Portland SIMposium 2025. Through a mix of mainstage panels, breakout sessions, and fireside conversations,
the event explores the forces reshaping technology leadership — from AI-driven transformation and cybersecurity resilience to workforce evolution and the human side of digital leadership.
You’ll hear real-world perspectives from executives leading technology change across industries, along with thought leaders from Oregon’s innovation ecosystem. This year’s program culminates with the Oregon CIO & CISO of the Year Awards,
celebrating outstanding leadership and impact in the region.
Why Attend
- Connect with more than 150 regional technology and business leaders.
- Gain actionable insights to strengthen your strategy, governance, and leadership impact.
- Experience a day filled with knowledge-sharing, networking, and community.
Explore the Full Program
See the complete agenda for session details, speakers, and topics throughout the day.
| Time |
Session Title |
Description |
| 7:45 – 8:45 AM |
Women in Tech Breakfast |
A morning gathering for women across Oregon’s technology community to connect, share insights, and build relationships in a relaxed networking environment. |
| 8:00 – 8:45 AM |
Networking Breakfast |
Start the day with coffee, conversation, and connections with peers, speakers, and sponsors before the morning sessions. |
| 9:00 – 9:15 AM |
Opening Remarks |
Welcome from the SIM Portland Board and event hosts outlining the day’s agenda, highlights, and themes. |
| 9:15 – 10:00 AM |
The New Frontlines: What’s Next for Cyber Defense |
Fadi Fadhil (Palo Alto Networks) explores how AI-powered threats and constrained resources are reshaping cybersecurity and how to modernize defenses with confidence. |
| 10:00 – 10:30 AM |
Networking Break |
Recharge and connect with peers and sponsors over refreshments. |
| 10:30 – 11:15 AM |
Leading Forward — The CIO Playbook for the Next Era |
CIOs and technology executives discuss the evolving leadership portfolio needed for an AI-driven, sustainability-aware future — blending foresight, digital fluency, and ecosystem orchestration.
Panelists:
John Kochavatr — CIO, Portland General Electric
Ian Aguilar — CTO, Imperative Logistics Group
Ryan Schlunz — CIO, Oregon Department of Agriculture
Brandon Gatke — AVP for IT and Security, Portland Community College
Moderator: Fred Pond — Former CIO, Columbia Sportswear; Distinguished Fellow, Avasant
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| 10:30 – 11:15 AM |
The Power of Connection — Leadership & Influence |
Andrea Ballinger, Elyse Rosenberg, and Mandy Huth explore how authentic connection and collaboration shape leadership success.
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| 11:15 – 11:30 AM |
Move & Connect Break |
Stretch, chat, and prepare for the next session. |
| 11:30 – 12:00 PM |
Beyond the Phish — Engaging Ways to Drive Security Awareness |
BPM shares practical ways to foster security awareness through creative engagement that builds real-world critical thinking. |
| 11:30 – 12:00 PM |
Finding Dollars Through Efficiency — Why One Begets the Other |
Tanium demonstrates how unified endpoint management and efficiency deliver measurable savings and stronger operations. |
| 12:00 – 1:15 PM |
Mainstage Panel — Charting a Path Forward for Oregon’s Tech Sector: Economic, AI, and Workforce Trends |
Industry, government, and education leaders discuss how Oregon can stay competitive amid AI innovation and workforce transformation—exploring strategies for sustainable growth, talent development, and collaboration.
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| 1:15 – 1:30 PM |
Move & Connect Break |
Transition to the afternoon keynote and network with peers. |
| 1:30 – 2:15 PM |
Mainstage Keynote — Fireside Chat |
Closing the Innovation Gap — What Leaders Must Do in an AI Era — An inspiring fireside chat on how leaders can blend human creativity with machine intelligence to drive meaningful transformation and innovation.
Speaker: Mohan Nair — CEO, Emerge Inc.; Entrepreneur, Transformation Strategist, and Author
Moderator: Linu Parappilly — CIO, Clackamas County
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| 2:15 – 2:30 PM |
Move & Connect Break |
Grab a refreshment and continue networking. |
| 2:30 – 3:00 PM |
No Owner, No ROI — Why AI Fails Without a Clear Champion |
Dualboot Partners explains how accountability and ownership turn AI pilots into sustained transformation. |
| 2:30 – 3:00 PM |
Smarter Threats, Bigger Risks — Leading Security Strategy in the AI Era |
Radware highlights how adversaries exploit AI and what leaders can do to stay ahead of emerging threats. |
| 3:00 – 3:30 PM |
Networking Break |
Enjoy refreshments and connect with peers and exhibitors. |
| 3:30 – 4:00 PM |
Go Hack Yourself — War Stories from 170,000+ Pentests |
Horizon3.ai reveals lessons from thousands of pentests—showing where real vulnerabilities hide and how to strengthen defenses. |
| 3:30 – 4:00 PM |
When Your AI Starts Making Moves — Who’s Really in Charge? |
SailPoint discusses automation, accountability, and AI oversight through transparency and ethical governance. |
| 4:00 – 4:15 PM |
Move & Connect Break |
Transition to the closing sessions. |
| 4:15 – 5:00 PM |
The GenAI Shift — From Experiments to Enterprise Impact |
Panelists share how they’re scaling Generative AI responsibly—from pilot projects to enterprise-level transformation—while addressing governance, bias, and ethics.
Panelists:
Dr. Ameeta Agrawal — AI Researcher & Educator, Portland State University
Aditya Chaturvedi — Distinguished Engineer, Global Technology, Nike Maarika Teose — Global Head of DevSecOps
Jeff Doolittle — Distinguished Engineer & Principal Architect, Trimble
Mishan Pils — Executive Vice President, Medical Informatics Inc.
Moderator: Hammad Khan — Director of Data Science, advancing AI strategy and analytics at enterprise scale
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| 4:15 – 5:00 PM |
Trust by Design — The New Playbook for AI Governance |
Experts discuss how to operationalize Responsible AI frameworks, ensuring transparency, security, and ethical use while maintaining innovation velocity.
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| 5:00 – 6:30 PM |
Networking Reception & Oregon CIO / CISO of the Year Awards |
Celebrate Oregon’s top technology leaders over food, drinks, and networking as SIM Portland honors the 2025 CIO and CISO of the Year award recipients. |
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