SIM Detroit

Mark your calendars. 📅 Everyone had such a wonderful time at the SIM Detroit Leadership Summit last week. The conversations, the energy in the room, and the people who make this community what it is. So here's what's next in 2027: 🗓 April 20 — Michigan Technology Leaders Summit Download a Calendar File - calget.com/pio3vfog 🗓 October 21 — SIM Detroit Leadership Summit Download a Calendar File - calget.com/wwjyi7vy If you were with us last week, you already know why these days are worth blocking off. And if you missed SDLS, April is the one to be at.. #SIMDetroit #MTLSummit #LeadershipSummit #DetroitTech #ITLeadership #SaveTheDate

SIM Detroit RISE is heading to Oakland Community College. 🎓 AI, Innovation & IT: Building Your Future Career is an evening with the people who actually hire in tech — hosted in collaboration with Dr. Hany Othman, Computer Information Systems & Information Technologies Faculty Chair, and Jessica Knapik, Economic & Workforce Computer Support Specialist Program Coordinator and Career Services. Students will hear where AI is taking the industry, put their questions directly to working IT professionals, and meet them over light refreshments afterward. 🗓 Monday, November 2 🕠 5:30 – 7:30 PM 📍 OCC Auburn Hills Campus, Room G240 🎟 Free to attend. Light refreshments provided. The evening runs as an AI industry snapshot, a panel of IT professionals, open Q&A, and 45 minutes of networking — because the conversation after the panel is often the one that matters most. For any student thinking about a career in tech — IT, computer science, cybersecurity, or just curious — this is a room worth being in. Bring questions about skills, AI, and landing that first job. Know a student who should be there? Send this their way. Save your spot: tinyurl.com/OCCRISE2026 SIM Detroit RISE is powered by We Build Character. #SIMDetroit #RISE #OaklandCommunityCollege #AI #ITCareers #DetroitTech #Students

SIM Detroit would like to welcome one of our newest members, Jill Devonce. For more information about SIM memberships, look at our website: https:/buff.ly/3Wp41j1

"Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life forever." - Amy Poehler

The 2026 SIM Detroit Leadership Summit is over, but one attendee is still waiting for its ride home. 🧥 A jacket was left behind at the summit. If it’s yours, send us a message and we’ll help get it back to you! We brought the leaders together. Now we’re reuniting them with their coats. 😄 #SIMDetroit #LeadershipSummit #DetroitTech #CommunityPowered #ImpactOverProfit

What an insightful day in Detroit. 🙏 Thank you to every speaker who shared what they're learning, and to the more than 250 technology leaders who showed up ready to exchange ideas and lean in. Thank you to our Diamond, Platinum, Reception, Breakfast, Executive Co, Event, Parking, Power Up, and Advertisement sponsors for all of their help. This Summit does not happen without you. And to the volunteers and committee members who put this together — SIM Detroit runs on people who give their time because they believe in this community. Thank you. You really had to be in the room for this one. 😉 #SIMDetroit #LeadershipSummit #DetroitTech #BetterTogether #MakingADifference

A packed afternoon in Detroit. 📊 Professor Paul Isley of Grand Valley State University opened with economic trends and forecasts across Michigan, the U.S., and the world. The context every technology budget sits inside. Then our keynote panel took on one of the hardest questions in the state right now: Data Centers & the Grid. Navigating Demand, Regulation, and Public Interest. Thank you to Eric Paul Dennis (Citizens Research Council of Michigan) Crystal Stiles (Consumers Energy), and Shaquila Myers (Michigan Public Service Commission), with Tabice Ward (Walker-Miller Energy Services) moderating. From there, "Five Years Ahead: The Decisions CIOs Cannot Defer" by Diane Smith CEO/President of ChoiceTel and Christian Nascimento – SVP of Connectivity and Digital Customer Solutions, Comcast Business. Lastly , The session everyone had been curious about all day: Anthony Watts of the Detroit Fire Department and Tamara Fant of the City of Detroit on how drones are changing aerial operations across the city. AI, energy, and public safety in one afternoon. This is what happens when technology leaders get in a room together. #SIMDetroit #LeadershipSummit #DetroitTech #DataCenters #ITLeadership

Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 SIM Detroit Vanguard Awards! 🏆 🔹 Large Company: Anita Klopfenstein, Global Chief Information & Digital Officer at Little Caesars Enterprises 🔹 Medium Company: Steve York, SVP & CIO at CORA Physical Therapy 🔹 Small Company: David Williams, CIO at Butzel The Vanguard Awards recognize the senior technology leaders transforming business, building exceptional teams, and shaping the future of Southeast Michigan — evaluated by an independent panel of peer judges across business value and impact, technology and innovation, business partnership, people and culture, and community and industry engagement. Thank you to every nominee. This region's technology community is stronger because of the way you lead. #SIMDetroit #VanguardAwards #TechLeadership #DetroitTech #Leadership

Lunch time! we are halfway through — and there's still so much ahead. 🍽️ A morning of AI in cyber defense, quantum readiness, and AI transformation in B2B sales and service. Still to come this afternoon — economic forecasts for Michigan and beyond, our keynote panel on data centers and the grid, the decisions CIOs cannot defer, and drones over the City of Detroit. #SIMDetroit #LeadershipSummit #DetroitTech #ITLeadership

A strong start in Detroit. 🎤 Rob Salafia opened the Summit with "Leading Rapid Change with Poise and Presence" — a reminder that how a leader shows up under pressure shapes everything that follows. Now underway: Guy Raz of DropZone AI on weaponizing AI for cyber defense and the journey to the agentic SOC. The conversations happening between sessions are just as good as the ones on stage. #SIMDetroit #LeadershipSummit #DetroitTech #AI #Cybersecurity

And we're off! ☕ The 2026 SIM Detroit Leadership Summit is underway at One Campus Martius. Over 250 technology leaders from across Michigan are here for a full day of ideas, connection, and a shared commitment to making a difference in Metro Detroit. Here's what's ahead: 8:00 — Breakfast & networking 8:55 — Keynote: Leading Rapid Change with Poise and Presence 10:10 — Weaponizing AI for Cyber Defense: Journey to the Agentic SOC 10:50 — Quantum-Proofing Your Business 11:40 — AI Transformation in B2B Sales & Service 12:10 — Lunch, Vanguard Awards & RISE/SOAR 1:00 — Economic Trends Across Michigan, the U.S. and the World 1:30 — Keynote Panel: Data Centers & the Grid 2:50 — Five Years Ahead: The Decisions CIOs Cannot Defer 3:30 — Drones and the City of Detroit 4:10 — Cocktail hour Follow along with us today. 👇 #SIMDetroit #LeadershipSummit #DetroitTech #ITLeadership #MakingADifference

SOLD OUT means SOLD OUT! 🤣 No tickets. No walk-ins. No last-minute favors. No “but you know me!” The guest list is CLOSED. The room is FULL. We love you. We really do. But please don’t show up and make it weird! 😂 See everyone who’s on the list tomorrow at the SIM Detroit Fall Leadership Summit! We’re thankful for the continued support of the partner community! #SIMDetroit #LeadershipSummit #SoldOut #DetroitTech #ImpactOverProfit

SIM Detroit would like to welcome one of our newest members, Kerry Keown. For more information about SIM memberships, look at our website: https:/buff.ly/3Wp41j1

Since 1987, SIM Detroit has kept showing up for this community. We’ve faced challenges. We’ve heard the doubts. And we kept building. We didn’t wait for perfect circumstances. We rolled up our sleeves, brought people together, and opened doors. And we sold out another summit. That’s what happens when a community keeps showing up for one another. We lift each other up, share what works, and keep moving forward. Volunteer fueled. Community powered. Built in Detroit.

SIM Detroit is the local chapter of the Society for Information Management, bringing together senior technology executives from across Michigan. To date, we have reinvested over $500,000 back into our region by partnering with more than 16 local organizations to fund technology initiatives. We are 100% volunteer-led, driven by local leaders, and dedicated to measurable community impact. Learn more at simdetroit.org #SIMDetroit #TechLeadership #DetroitTech #MichiganCIO #Cybersecurity #CommunityImpact

We are thrilled to recognize Chris Irving, CIO at RouteOne, as a distinguished nominee for the 2026 SIM Detroit Vanguard Awards in the Small Company category! The Vanguard Awards celebrate the senior technology leaders who are transforming business, building exceptional teams, and shaping the future of Southeast Michigan. As a nominee, Chris is being recognized for his executive excellence and evaluated by our independent panel of peer judges across five key dimensions of leadership: 🔹 Business Value & Impact 🔹 Technology & Innovation 🔹 Business Partnership 🔹 People & Culture 🔹 Community & Industry Engagement Leaders like Chris are the reason our region's technology landscape continues to thrive and innovate. Please join us in congratulating Chris in the comments below! 👇 We look forward to honoring all of our incredible nominees and announcing the winners at the SIM Detroit Leadership Summit on October 21st at 1 Campus Martius. Read more about the Vanguard Awards program here: vanguardawards.org/ #SIMDetroit #VanguardAwards #TechLeadership #DetroitTech #CIO #SoutheastMichigan #Leadership