Since 2010, tech leaders in Central Iowa have come together to learn from one another in an effort to become top performing leaders in IT. Today, the Forum boasts more than 400 participants across 60 businesses throughout Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. Designed to enhance the leadership skills of select information technology leaders, the Forum helps to strengthen organizations’ leadership cultures leading to improved attraction, engagement and retention of top-performing employees.
Join us in 2021 to learn from one another through shared experiences!
Creating and Building the Right Teams | Establishing Rules of Engagement
Maximizing Talent | Conflict Resolution | Creating a Foundation for Success
Creating Clarity and Alignment at All Levels | Managing Through Change
Being a Positive Disruption that Creates Growth | Ensuring Personal Growth
Level 10 Leadership | The Power of Feedback | Understanding Communication Styles
Current Role:
Director of Engineering - IS Application Platform Services
Years of Leadership Experience:
10+
Why the Forum?
I have found it a great way to increase your leadership abilities, IT tech leadership and staff development are critical to a successful IT organization.
Leadership Style:
Honestly my philosophy is pretty simple:
Current Role:
Innovation and Strategy Advisor
Years of Leadership Experience:
6
Why the Forum?
In order to challenge our day to day thinking and explore new ideas we must continuously learn and expose ourselves to new perspectives. The Forum is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with other leaders and strive for continuous improvement. As leaders, we must strive for continuous improvement to create space for new perspectives, open our minds to exploration, and enhance our skills for those we serve. The Forum provides a well-rounded experience to challenge our thinking, create new connections, collaborate and learn.
Leadership Style:
We're all on a leadership journey, whether we are seasoned or new to the arena. Cultivating a mindset and environment for innovation takes not just leadership, but the right kinda of leadership. Go beyond what is expected and through actions and example, lead up.
Current Role:
Data Science and Informatics Leader - Software Engineering
Years of Leadership Experience:
7+
Why the Forum?
The relationship and network you build are invaluable as you grow your career.
Leadership Style:
"Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others." John Maxwell
Current Role:
Director - Engineering
Years of Leadership Experience:
7+
Why the Forum?
It is really nice to step outside the walls that you are used to working in to articulate and discuss your leadership questions, concerns and successes. Hearing perspectives from leaders across Des Moines is invaluable and refreshing. It gets new thoughts churning and at times, affirms your own ideas.
Leadership Style:
I believe leadership is a partnership. I am here to help you to navigate your career journey, but you have to chase it!
Current Role:
Embedded SW Quality Manager
Years of Leadership Experience:
12
Why the Forum?
Diversity of thought and a growth mindset is key when trying to stay relevant when managing today’s IT teams. The forum provides an opportunity to collaborate with other professionals on relevant and timely topics, and learn from industry leaders.
Leadership Style:
My leadership style has evolved over time. I used to feel the need to know everything so that I could prove I was essential. Now I’m focused on curating teams of people that are smarter than myself, clearing the path so they can perform at their best, and helping them grow into future leaders.
Current Role:
VP of IT
Years of Leadership Experience:
25+
Why the Forum?
I attended the forum more mid-career and can identify a number of benefits. My network was significantly expanded through practice and diligence, I honed my ability to interact confidently in a group of my peers, and I learned that others were facing similar leadership challenges just in different environments. Perhaps most importantly, learning different solution approaches from others taught me to flex my own response options.
Leadership Style:
You cannot change that which you do not measure. Whether in a meeting, phone call, presentation or a 1:1 - be here now. There is power in every member of your team knowing that above all, "you are important to me."
Current Role:
Assistant Director Engineering
Years of Leadership Experience:
9
Why the Forum?
Learning from others' experience is essential to growing as a person and developing as a leader. Come for that and the group therapy that comes with it and stay to hear insights from experts and through leaders.
Leadership Style:
"Leadership is about helping people find their intersection of passion, talent, and value/need."
"The IT Leadership Forum hosted by Paragon IT professionals is one of the best and most useful collaborations that I have participated in. The speakers and topics that are discussed with other professionals in the field is something that very helpful for day-to-day operations to helping ideate strategic plans. I have found the framework that Paragon has established encourages open and honest conversation that helps leaders grow by challenging preconceived ideology in a safe environment that encourages vulnerability and courage."
IT SERVICES MANAGER
LIFESOURCE
"My experience with the Paragon leadership program has been fantastic. Joel does an amazing job bringing together a diverse group of IT leaders for the program and it creates a rich environment for learning and sharing from each other's experiences. Tom and Joel do a great job weaving in their own experience and knowledge along with relevant and impactful outside speakers. I would definitely recommend this experience for both aspiring and seasoned IT leaders alike."
CIO
POST CONSUMER BRANDSt
"The Paragon IT Leadership Forum provides members with the unique opportunity to meet several times a year to collaborate and share thoughts, ideas, best practices. The forum has given me time away from day-to-day business activities enabling me to dedicate time to grow personally and professionally. The immersion with thought leaders, both presenters and participants, have sparked fresh ideas and an opportunity to calibrate some aspects of my work so that I can be more effective and successful."
DIRECTOR, TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS
NORTHERN TOOL + EQUIPMENT
Whether you have a general question, are looking for that perfect employee, or looking for a great job - we can help!
Headquarters
220 SW 9th Street
Suite 150
Des Moines, IA 50309
515.288.2128
