FAIRFIELD, Conn., Feb. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HMG Strategy, the world’s leading platform for inspiring technology executives to lead boldly and shape the future of business, will bring Phoenix C-level leaders together in March 2026 to explore how technology, AI, and leadership excellence are redefining the enterprise of 2030.
The 17th Annual Phoenix C-Level Technology Leadership Summit will be held on March 5, 2026. This year’s programming will include a new emphasis on Iconic Leadership — How to Lead Like a CEO and Why the Future Demands Authentic and Visionary Leaders, reflecting the emerging leadership capabilities required in today’s fast-moving environment. In an era defined by exponential innovation, AI disruption, and rising stakeholder scrutiny, the role of the technology executive is undergoing a profound transformation. The expectations placed on CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, and digital leaders have never been higher — or more multidimensional.
“Today’s leaders are navigating a level of global disruption that demands tighter collaboration and real-world insight-sharing across the CIO community,” said Hunter Muller, Founder and CEO of HMG Strategy. “At our 17th Annual Phoenix C-Level Technology Leadership Summit, we’ll explore what it takes to lead like a CEO — bringing clarity, authenticity, and a long-term vision for performance, resilience, and innovation. This is a defining moment for technology executives to help shape what comes next.”
Topics to be explored at the 17th Annual Phoenix C-Level Technology Leadership Summit are scheduled to include:
- What Global Disruption Means for Leaders Now
- How to Lead Like a CEO
- Harnessing Data, AI and Strategic Technologies to Drive Long-Term Business Performance
- Security Innovation as a Strategic Differentiator
- Security Innovation: AI Acceleration in a Post-Quantum World
- Visionary Tech Leaders on Innovation and Inner Balance
In addition, the 17th Annual Phoenix C-Level Technology Leadership Summit includes an exclusive session on Navigating AI Trade Offs Across the C Suite featuring Chip Schenck, principal for generative AI and data strategy for IBM.
Speakers are selected from each Summit’s region so content reflects local dynamics and market-specific challenges. Here are some of the speakers for the 17th Annual Phoenix C-Level Technology Leadership Summit:
Jason Bredimus, Vice President IT & CISO, Shamrock Foods Co.
Maryann Byrdak, CIO, Leslie’s
Max Chan, CIO, Avnet
Andrew Coyne, Vice President and CISO, Banner Health
Michelle Ferrara, Vice President and CIO, APS
Frank Grimmelmann, President and CEO, AZ Cyber Threat Response Alliance (ACTRA)
Art Hansen, Chairman and Co-Founder, INCUS5 and Co-Founder, QTEQ.AI
Joseph Hooper, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, FBI Phoenix Division
David Hopkins, CIO, Mesa Airlines
Bianca Lochner, CIO, City of Scottsdale
Brad Lontz, Executive Vice President and CIO, CSAA Insurance Group
Mike Manrod, CISO, Grand Canyon Education Inc.
Ryan Murray, Deputy Director and CISO, Arizona Department of Homeland Security
Kerstin Nold, CTO, City of Chandler
Bert Odinet, CIO, Freeport-McMoRan
Joe Pensiero, Vice President of IT (Head of IT), Footprint
Dan Saltich, CIO, Shamrock Foods
Simon Taylor, Executive Vice President, PacketWatch
(Speaker list subject to change.)
The 17th Annual Phoenix C-Level Technology Leadership Summit is scheduled to be held at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, 6902 E. Greenway Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ.
Events are underway across North America, with Summits scheduled from Atlanta to Silicon Valley and several major cities in between. Each HMG Strategy C-Level Technology Leadership Summit is designed as an invitation for technology leaders to step into the next evolution of leadership, gaining insight, perspective, and peer connection as they navigate unprecedented change.
Hunter Muller is a trusted voice on the global IT landscape, spanning cybersecurity threats, geopolitical dynamics, and the leadership expectations placed on today’s C-level technology executives. With 30+ years of experience guiding Fortune 2000 leaders through strategic planning and career advancement, Muller brings deep perspective to the challenges and opportunities ahead. He founded HMG Strategy in 2008 to champion innovative, bold, and forward-looking leadership across the technology community.
About HMG Strategy
HMG Strategy is the world’s leading digital platform for CIO leadership, CISO leadership, and CEO leadership, empowering executives to reimagine the enterprise, drive career ascent, and shape the future of business technology. With a global network of more than 500,000 CIOs, CISOs, CTOs, CDOs, technology leaders, consultants, and C-Suite executives, HMG delivers unmatched opportunities to connect CIO peers, share insight, and accelerate professional development.
Founded in 2008 by Hunter Muller, a trusted leadership expert with over 30 years of experience guiding Fortune 2000 executives, HMG Strategy is built on its 7 Pillars of Trust & Inspire. Its unique business-to-business media model generates more than one million weekly digital impressions, delivering powerful visibility for executives and sponsor partners to strengthen their branding and expand their influence.
Through its CIO & CISO Executive Leadership Series, CIO events, publications, and Digital Resource Center, HMG Strategy provides world-class coverage of AI, cyber security, IT leadership, digital transformation, SASE, and consulting trends. The Global CIO & CISO Executive Leadership Alliance (CELA) convenes elite leaders to solve today’s toughest challenges, while HMG’s Global Advisory Services deliver peer-driven research, insights, and intelligence to help executives lead with vision.
At HMG, we believe in Trust & Inspire leadership — helping executives inspire innovation, expand their network, and create legendary careers.
HMG Strategy: Iconic Leadership – Where Legends Are Built
Contact: Peggy Pedwano, Chief Operations Officer, HMG Strategy
203-221-2702 | peggyp@hmgstrategy.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f4227ea9-9505-4969-95fc-6adf7199cbd6
