St. Louis played host to one of the region’s premier gatherings of technology leaders: the 11th Annual HMG Strategy C-Level Technology Leadership Summit. The day brought together CIOs, CISOs, and senior executives from across industries to exchange insights, share experiences, and explore how collaboration fuels innovation.
The summit opened with a performance by StikYard, a percussive musical act that doubled as a metaphor for IT leadership. In an accompanying discussion led by Lisa Nichols, CEO of Technology Partners, panelists explored the many parallels between performing as a musician and leading an IT organization. Panelists reflected on the role of timing, trust, and alignment in orchestrating high-performing teams.
With cyber threats growing more sophisticated and geopolitically charged, another executive panel underscored the importance of collaborative defense. Leaders from First Bank, Centene Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, and Vetcor spoke candidly about balancing national security concerns with corporate responsibility, emphasizing the need for shared intelligence and cross-industry cooperation.
Artificial intelligence was a major throughline of the day. A dynamic panel of CIOs and executives demonstrated how AI adoption, strategic partnerships, and data-driven solutions can drive business resilience. Sessions led by industry voices like IBM’s Jason Hunt offered frameworks for responsibly scaling AI, while later discussions focused on upskilling teams to thrive in a GenAI-enabled workplace.
The conversation expanded beyond technology into purpose-driven leadership. Jessie Minton, CIO of Washington University in St. Louis, shared how authenticity and belonging create strategic impact in research, education, and patient care. Additionally, security leaders reframed cybersecurity as not just a defensive necessity but a competitive advantage, particularly when strengthened by AI-driven insights.
The day concluded with a forward-looking discussion on Enterprise 2030, where executives from Mastercard, Bayer, Save A Lot Grocery, and Crown Packaging Corp. weighed in on the coming “innovation supercycle.” From supply chain resilience to generative AI breakthroughs, the message was clear: no leader can navigate these challenges alone. Success will come from shared vision, shared learning, and shared leadership.
Ultimately, the summit reaffirmed a timeless truth: when leaders learn from one another, everyone grows stronger.