Agenda
Wednesday, September 10th
[Pre-Retreat Programming]
Welcome to the Silicon Heartland
Kick off the CEO Retreat experience with an exclusive, invite-only afternoon of insight and connection on Wednesday, September 10th. Open to registered retreat attendees, this special pre-event includes a VIP driving tour of the New Albany International Business Park—the epicenter of Ohio’s rapidly growing Silicon Heartland—followed by a welcome happy hour with fellow tech leaders.
The narrated tour will offer a behind-the-scenes look at over $47 billion in private investment across 9,000+ acres, featuring more than 36 million square feet of development and 26,000 jobs created. Highlights include Intel’s $28 billion Ohio One campus, as well as major facilities from Meta, Google, Microsoft, AWS, Amgen, Abercrombie & Fitch, Bath & Body Works, Pharmavite, and others.
It’s a relaxed, high-value way to connect with peers and see firsthand the scale of what’s being built in one of the most transformative innovation corridors in the country.
[Attendees must be registered for Thursday to be invited to the Wednesday programming]
Thursday, September 11th
[The Retreat]
8:30 am
Doors Open + Registration
9:15 am
Opening Welcome Remarks
Chris Berry: President & CEO @ OhioX
Dave Brewster: Managing Director, Tech Sector @ JobsOhio
9:45 am
Founder Mode vs. Manager Mode (Session #1)
Scaling a company requires more than product vision—it demands operational leadership. Inspired by AirBnB’s Brian Chesky, and captured by Paul Graham, we’ll explore the critical (and often messy) shift from building to managing, and how successful CEOs navigate the transition while keeping their culture, team, and growth intact. And, also their sanity.
Michelle Murcia: Founder + CEO @ Book+Street
Matt Davis: COfounder + CEO @ COhatch
Jess Walpole: President @ Fortress SRM
Will Zell: Founder @ Vessel | Executive Chairman @ AssetWatch
10:30 am
Networking Break #1
10:50 am
Lessons from the Exit (Session #2)
A candid conversation with Ohio tech leaders who have successfully sold their companies. Hear what they learned through the process—what they’d do again, what they’d do differently, and how an exit changes everything from leadership to legacy. And, how they’re thinking about, “what’s next?”
Brett Buchanan: Chief Product Officer @ Test Double (Founder & CEO @ Pathfinder Product Labs)
Laura Bennett: Principal @ Gosling's Leap (Co-Founder & CEO @ Embrace Pet Insurance)
Jeff Schumann: Head of Brand & Communications @ Mimecast (Co-Founder & CEO @ Aware)
Cory Bailey (Co-Founder & President @ SecūrSpace)
11:30 am
Fireside Chat: Anduril to Ohio (Session #3)
This fireside chat with Zachary Mears, SVP of Strategy & Growth at Anduril, will explore Anduril’s historic expansion into Ohio and its significance for the future of technology and national security in our state. With a new, state-of-the-art drone manufacturing facility in Pickaway County—representing the largest single job-creation project in Ohio’s history—Anduril is anchoring a new era of mission-driven innovation. Together, we’ll discuss how this investment positions Ohio as a national hub for advanced technology, defense innovation, and why we have a unique opportunity to rebuild the arsenal in the heart of it all.
Zachary Mears: SVP, Strategy & Growth @ Anduril Industries
12:00 pm
Lunch + Networking Break #2
12:50 pm
The AI Paradox: Opportunity, Disruption, and the Path Forward (Session #4)
AI offers massive potential, but also real disruption. This session explores how CEOs are navigating both sides of the AI equation: driving innovation while managing risk, adapting strategies, and leading teams through rapid change. Featuring leaders who are adopting, building, or competing with AI, we’ll focus on what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next.
Brandy Alexander: Managing Director @ Tandmtide
Tony Pietrocola: Co-Founder & President @ AgileBlue
Jeff Kavlick: CEO @ MorelandConnect
Paul Powers: Founder & CEO @ Physna
1:30 pm
Networking Break #3
[Shift to breakout sessions]
1:50 pm
Afternoon Breakouts: Go-To-Market Ohio
These breakout sessions explore how we build a statewide culture of collaboration. Where large enterprises open doors for startups, small businesses find real customers and partners, and innovation moves faster through shared opportunity.
From buyer insights to real-world partnerships, we’ll dig into what it takes to create an Ohio tech sector where scaling is supported, connections are intentional, and tech leaders help each other win.
Participating enterprise technology leaders include:
Mark Macioce: VP & CIO @ Masco Corporation
Aud Jucaitis: SVP, NextGen Enterprise Transformation @ KeyBank
Michael Farrar: CIO @ City of Westerville
Duane Powell: CIO @ City of Hilliard
Miro Humer: VP & CIO @ Case Western Reserve University
Anthony Joy: CIO @ Cleveland Metroparks
J.D. Whitlock: CIO @ Dayton Children's Hospital
Bharath Prabhakaran: VP & CDO @ University of Cincinnati
Bryan Holmes: VP, IT @ Andelyn Biosciences
Joe Quevedo: Senior Director of IT @ Columbus College of Art & Design
Pinak Barve: VP, Engineering @ McGrawHill
Elizabeth Wadsworth: Sr. AI Innovation Strategist @ Velera
Breakout
Inside the Enterprise Buyer’s Mind – What Tech Leaders Look For (Session #5A)
What does it really take to land a deal with a large company? In this session, Ohio CIOs and tech executives share how they evaluate new vendors, what earns trust, and how small businesses and startups can better align with enterprise needs. From procurement hurdles to proof-of-concept wins, we’ll go behind the scenes of the buying process to help founders and CEOs understand how to stand out, and scale up, inside Ohio enterprises.
Lacey Picazo: Founder & CEO @ ZoCo Design
Mark Macioce: VP & CIO @ Masco Corporation
Miro Humer: VP & CIO @ Case Western Reserve University
J.D. Whitlock: CIO @ Dayton Children's Hospital
Breakout
Collaborating to Compete – Pilots, Partnerships, and Co-Building with Ohio Companies (Session #5B)
Strategic collaboration can unlock growth. But only if both sides are aligned. This session features real stories of successful partnerships between Ohio’s enterprises and smaller tech companies. From pilot projects to co-built solutions, we’ll explore what makes these relationships work, the challenges to watch for, and how collaboration can help companies of all sizes compete in fast-moving markets.
Jason Hauer: CEO @ HauerX Holdings
Pinak Barve: VP, Engineering @ McGraw Hill
Elizabeth Wadsworth: Sr. AI Innovation Strategist @ Velera
2:30 pm
Networking Break #4
[Return from breakout sessions]
2:45 pm
Go-To-Market Ohio (Session #6)
Our final session brings everyone back together for a conversation and strategy session around how to make Ohio the friendliest state to build tech. Building on insights from the afternoon breakouts, this interactive full session will focus on creating a culture where opportunities are unlocked across the state. Where large companies open doors for startups, small businesses find real customers and partners, and collaboration fuels growth. Together, we’ll explore how Ohio’s diverse base of enterprises, institutions, and innovation leaders can help each other win. And how a more connected, open ecosystem unlocks growth for Ohio tech businesses.
Tim Grace: Managing Director @ Techstars Columbus
3:45 pm
Closing Happy Hour
We’ll end the day with a relaxed, on-site happy hour to keep the conversations going. Enjoy drinks, bites, and good company as you connect with fellow CEOs, speakers, and tech leaders from across the state.
[agenda subject to change and updates]
Thank you to the 2025 CEO Retreat Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
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Bronze Sponsors
Lanyard Sponsor
Networking Sponsor
