The 20th Annual State of the CIO is more than a milestone event — it’s a celebration of leadership, innovation, and impact across South Florida’s technology community. This year’s speaker lineup reflects exactly what our theme promises: “From Access to Impact: The Modern CIO as a Catalyst.”
We are honored to welcome two distinguished keynote speakers whose journeys embody leadership in action.
R.C. Woodson, Global IT thought leader and founder of Woodson Consulting, brings decades of executive insight across enterprise transformation and strategic technology leadership. Known for connecting business vision with operational execution, R.C. will share perspectives on building lasting leadership impact in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Joining him is Captain Barrington Irving, visionary aviator, educator, and community leader. Widely recognized as the youngest person to fly solo around the world, Captain Irving’s story goes far beyond aviation. Through Experience Aviation and The Flying Classroom, he has inspired thousands of students to pursue STEM pathways. His keynote will challenge us to think bigger — about opportunity, courage, and creating access for the next generation.
The Women CIO Leadership Panel, moderated by Sharon Milz, CIO of TIME and Vice President of the CIO Council, will feature Tricia Ferreira of World Kinect and Shawna Cartwright of Cushman & Wakefield. Together, they will explore enterprise strategy, boardroom influence, leadership resilience, and advancing the next generation of technology leaders.
We are equally proud to feature our Student Leadership Panel, moderated by Nimmi Arunachalam in partnership with Break Through Tech. This session brings emerging voices to the forefront, reinforcing our commitment to mentorship, academic partnership, and developing future CIOs.
Adding further leadership perspective is Henry Fleches, CEO of UDT and Platinum Sponsor, whose long-standing support underscores the importance of collaboration between industry partners and our nonprofit mission.
For 20 years, the CIO Council of South Florida has invested in scholarships, mentorship, and community impact. This year’s speaker lineup represents the best of what our region offers — bold leadership, service-driven innovation, and a shared commitment to shaping what comes next.
Join us as we celebrate two decades of progress — and define the next chapter together.
Register today: https://ciocouncilsouthflorida.org/scio-2026/