Growth through Innovation: A Board’s Role 

Overview

This program will examine how a board of directors can effectively drive innovation while managing risks associated with new technologies and business opportunities. Participants will explore how boards can set a strategic vision that encourages creativity and growth, all while maintaining oversight on risk management to ensure sustainable innovation. The session will provide insights into balancing bold initiatives with careful risk assessment to align innovation with long-term organizational success.

A board of directors plays a vital role in driving innovation by setting a strategic vision that encourages creativity and growth while maintaining strong oversight on risk management. They are responsible for ensuring that the organization embraces new technologies and market opportunities, while also assessing and mitigating potential risks associated with innovation. By balancing bold initiatives with careful risk evaluation, the board helps foster sustainable innovation that aligns with the company’s long-term objectives.

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$35 Member Registration Fee
$65 Non Member Registration Fee

The Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) has collaborated on the content. Members of both ACG, PDA, and others  are welcome.  

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Panelists

Rocky DeStefano SVP and Cyber Defense expert, Board Advisor Bank of America

Rocky DeStefano is an innovative leader with three decades of experience at the very forefront of cybersecurity across US Gov, DoD, Fortune 100, Financial Services, and several cybersecurity product companies. He currently serves as a Senior Vice President at Bank of America. He is well known as a cyber defense expert in the industry and also serves as a board advisor. He’s been fortunate enough in his career to work for innovative cybersecurity companies such as ArcSight, NetWitness, Cloudera, VisibleRisk, JASK, and Optiv. Many times in his career he’s been a part of the growth where these companies helped define or redefine an entire category or domain.

As a senior executive he’s been operationally responsible for the technical controls around security operations, incident response and more for some of the complex and heavily regulated organizations like EDS, US DoJ (JSOC), and JPMorgan Chase.

Rocky has also invested, mentored or advised many cybersecurity startups over the years as well as performed due diligence for investors, acquiring entities or private equity firms.

Dave Johnson Managing Partner C Squared Solutions

Dave Johnson has been described as a leader, teacher, mentor, and problem solver who has experienced high growth and turn-around situations. He was part of the founding team at Sprint, part of the turn-around team at Bank of America and taken two technology companies from early stage to IPO. He was also part of the senior management team that turned around Sodak Gaming and Evolving Systems; two public companies where shareholder value increased over $1.5 billion.

Dave is known for his talent in forming strategic plans and implementation steps that succeed. This success is accomplished through rolling up the sleeves and getting into the details. He produces teams that hit measurable goals on time with remarkably high morale. His mentorship led strong teams that innovated and continued successfully for years after his departure.

Dave has been the CEO of four companies (2 privately owned and 2 publicly traded), and CFO of four public companies. Company sizes ranged from $10 MM to $1.7 billion in annual revenue.

Arlen Myers CEO Society of Physician Entrepreneurs

Arlen is committed to helping bring biomedical innovations to patients through teaching, consulting, and leadership. He is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and President & CEO of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (www.sopenet.org), a global nonprofit focused on biomedical innovation.

An experienced entrepreneur, he has founded multiple medical device and digital health companies. His expertise spans biomedical innovation, life science commercialization, and healthcare entrepreneurship. He teaches at the University of Colorado-Denver and advises organizations worldwide on bio-entrepreneurship, healthcare IT, and venture financing.

A former Harvard-Macy Fellow and Fulbright Scholar, Arlen has authored several books, including The Life Science Innovation Roadmap and Digital Health Entrepreneurship. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of Medscape Reference: Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

Kristen Russell Former President and Current Board Member Arrow Electronics and Data Modul Weikersheim GmbH

Kristin Russell is an accomplished global executive who drives companies to innovate, transform, and grow by delivering visionary, market-driven strategies linked to execution-focused operating models. As a proven leader and communicator, she is known for building high-performing teams, securing commitment from diverse stakeholders, and cultivating
dynamic, collaborative cultures.

At Arrow Electronics, Kristin led a $20B business, with nearly 5,000 employees across 34 countries. Together, they delivered innovative go-to market growth solutions, such as marketing-as-a-service, engineering design and manufacturing, and an innovative, global digital platform called ArrowSphere. Previously, Kristin held leadership roles at industry-leading companies, including Deloitte Consulting, Oracle Corporation, and Sun Microsystems. Her roles spanned various functions including sales, IT, technical services and general management. In 2011, Kristin was appointed by Governor John Hickenlooper as Colorado’s first Chief Information Officer and Secretary of Technology.

Kristin’s work has been recognized with several awards such as the Colorado Technology Association Lifetime Achievement Award, Government Technology's Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers and CIO of the Year by the Denver Business Journal. She is also a member of prestigious groups such as McKinsey’s AWE, Fortune’s Most Powerful Women, and Titan 100. Recently, Kristin was named as a Top 25 Innovator, Top 100 Channel Leader, & Inclusive Channel Leader by CRN, The Channel Company.

Moderator

Theresa Szczurek CEO & Innovation Strategist Technology and Management Solutions.

Theresa M. Szczurek, Ph.D., an award-winning technology, innovation, and growth strategist, is the 3x technology entrepreneur, certified corporate director (NACD.DC), former Chief Information Officer of the state of Colorado, and fractional C-level executive. As a Certified Management Consultant (CMC®), speaker, executive coach, and board member, she helps public and private sector organizations reach new heights in profit, productivity, and passion. She helps firms apply IT, cybersecurity, and AI to gain productivity and reduce risks, grow revenues and build customer satisfaction, and scale through innovation and digital transformation. She has broad experience on private corporate, government, higher education, and non-profit boards. She is co-chair of Membership and on the board of PDA-CO.

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