Home

Monday, August 7

Tuesday, August 8

Leadership Panel | Breakfast

7:30 am - 8:30 am

Grand Ballroom C/D/E

Welcome Lunch

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Grand Ballroom C/D/E

Late Night

9:00 pm - 10:30 pm

Spouses Invited

Wednesday, August 9

Inspirational Breakfast

7:30 am - 8:30 am

Ballroom C/D/E

Blue Carpet Reception

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Ballroom Foyer

Spouses Invited

Late Night

9:30 pm - 1:00 am

Spouses Invited

Attendee Dine Arounds

Various Seaport District Restaurants • 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

This conference event has assigned seating!Seating assignments will be displayed here 30 minutes before the session begins.

My Table Assignment

Who else is at ?

The Westin Boston Seaport is surrounded by incredible upscale shopping and dining. Converge23 attendees will enjoy exclusive small group dining experiences designed to build relationships between members from around the country.

Pre-registration is required.

Blue Carpet Reception

Ballroom Foyer • 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

My Table Assignment

Who else is at ?

Walk the Blue Carpet leading to the Rotunda and Ballroom to meet National ORBIE Finalists, members, spouses, and Converge22 attendees for pictures, cocktails & perhaps a few surprise guests!

Chapter Officers Forum

Commonwealth • 9:00 am - 11:00 am

This conference event has assigned seating!Seating assignments will be displayed here 30 minutes before the session begins.

My Table Assignment

Who else is at ?

Chapter officers and members from across the country will meet to share ideas and best practices for growing your chapter. All Converge23 attendees are invited to attend, especially members interested in serving on your chapter’s advisory board.

Inspirational Breakfast

Ballroom C/D/E • 7:30 am - 8:30 am

My Table Assignment

Who else is at ?

Late Night

• 9:00 pm - 10:30 pm

My Table Assignment

Who else is at ?

Late Night

• 9:30 pm - 1:00 am

My Table Assignment

Who else is at ?

Late Night

Birch Lobby Bar • 9:00 pm - 12:00 am

My Table Assignment

Who else is at ?

Join us for a casual gathering at the cash bar in the Westin Seaport lobby following Dine Arounds.

Leadership Panel | Breakfast

Grand Ballroom C/D/E • 7:30 am - 8:30 am

My Table Assignment

Who else is at ?

Lunch

Ballroom C/D/E • 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

This conference event has assigned seating!Seating assignments will be displayed here 30 minutes before the session begins.

My Table Assignment

Who else is at ?

Member Reception hosted by BostonCIO

Pavilion • 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

My Table Assignment

Who else is at ?

Gather in the Pavilion for wine, appetizers & conversation prior to the National Finalist Dinner. Hosted by BostonCIO members. Spouses are invited.

National Finalist Dinner

Ballroom • 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

This conference event has assigned seating!Seating assignments will be displayed here 30 minutes before the session begins.

My Table Assignment

Who else is at ?

Meet the most interesting CIOs in the world at Converge23’s National Finalist Dinner! Enjoy a night-to-remember with four-course meal, wine pairings and unforgettable introductions of National ORBIE Finalists.

National ORBIE Awards

Ballroom A/B • 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

This conference event has assigned seating!Seating assignments will be displayed here 30 minutes before the session begins.

My Table Assignment

Who else is at ?

The final and most exciting event at Converge23, the National ORBIE Awards honors previous ORBIE winners from chapters across the country competing for the prestigious National ORBIE Award.

Pre-Conference Activities

Various Locations • 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

My Table Assignment

Who else is at ?

Enjoy an opportunity to build relationships with fellow attendees and take advantage of all that Boston has to offer.

Historic Boston Freedom Trail Walking Tour

Transportation will be provided via trolley to Boston's iconic North End for an opportunity to explore historic sites and stroll through lush gardens while enjoying the fresh New England air. Participants should meet in the Converge lobby ten minutes prior to their scheduled departure time.

Pickleball

Enjoy a few rounds of casual pickleball with friends and colleagues. Participants should meet in the Converge lobby at 10:50 a.m. for transportation to PKL Boston via trolley.

Leadership Unscripted: Inspiring Women | Luncheon

Taking place at Westin Boston Seaport Pavilion at 11:30 a.m., this event is offered exclusively to the women of Inspire Leadership Network.

Duck Boat Tours

Enjoy fully narrated and guided tour of Boston's many historic sites in a “DUCK"—a W.W.II style amphibious landing vehicle that travels on land and water. Duck Boats depart from the Westin Boston Seaport Valet at 1:00 p.m. Please arrive by 12:50 to ensure an on-time departure.

Program Session 1

Grand Ballroom A/B • 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

This conference event has assigned seating!Seating assignments will be displayed here 30 minutes before the session begins.

My Table Assignment

Who else is at ?

Featuring inspiring leaders as well as opportunities to interact with peers. Sessions will be hosted by YouTube Creator & Motivational Speaker, Tripp Crosby.

Program Session 2

Ballroom A/B • 9:00 am - 11:30 am

This conference event has assigned seating!Seating assignments will be displayed here 30 minutes before the session begins.

My Table Assignment

Who else is at ?

Featuring inspiring leaders as well as opportunities to interact with peers. Sessions will be hosted by YouTube Creator & Motivational Speaker, Tripp Crosby.

Program Session 3

Ballroom A/B • 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

This conference event has assigned seating!Seating assignments will be displayed here 30 minutes before the session begins.

My Table Assignment

Who else is at ?

Featuring inspiring leaders as well as opportunities to interact with peers. Sessions will be hosted by YouTube Creator & Motivational Speaker, Tripp Crosby.

Welcome Lunch

Grand Ballroom C/D/E • 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

My Table Assignment

Who else is at ?

Connect with old friends or meet someone new at the Converge23 Welcome Lunch. Seating arranged to encourage new connections.

Welcome Reception

Inner Harbor Spirit • 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

My Table Assignment

Who else is at ?

Registered Converge attendees are invited to enjoy drinks, appetizers, and conversation aboard the Inner Harbor Spirit prior to evening Dine Arounds. Hosted by Inspire Leadership Network Chapter Officers. Please join us at the World Trade Center Pier at 200 Seaport Boulevard, Boston 02210 by 5:00pm.

Tzurit Or

Leadership Unscripted: Inspiring Women

Born in Israel, Tzurit is a former film producer who left a 12-year film career to start life in the US. She is a self-taught pastry chef, cook, and designer of spaces and experiences. Today, her main focus at Tatte is to grow the brand while protecting the smallest of details. She leads food and bakery innovation, café design and experience, as well as Tatte development.

Learn More →

Gerald Chertavian

Do well by doing good

Gerald Chertavian has dedicated his life to closing the opportunity divide that exists in our nation. Determined to make this vision a reality, Gerald combined his entrepreneurial skills and his passion for working with young adults to found Year Up in 2000.

Learn More →

James Cash

From CIO to the Board Room

HBS professor and author Dr. James Cash has broken barriers since he was a teenager. Throughout his career, he has been described as a pioneer, trailblazer, and game-changer.

Learn More →

Tim Sweeney

Becoming Remarkable

Learn More →

Dr. Robert Playter

Service Excellence

A NCAA gymnastics champion, Dr. Robert Playter is CEO of Boston Dynamics, the world leader in advanced mobile robots. Under his leadership, Boston Dynamics has launched commercial products including Spot, the first commercial legged robot serving the market for industrial inspections, and Stretch, a box-moving robot that unloads trailers for more efficient warehouse operations.

Learn More →

Klara Jelinkova

Successes and Pitfalls of Digital Strategies

ORBIE winner Klara Jelinkova is Vice President and University CIO for Harvard University, where she is responsible for the technology, cybersecurity and data privacy strategy, policies, and services that support more than 50,000 educators, students, and staff.

Learn More →

Bharat Anand

Successes and Pitfalls of Digital Strategies

Bharat N. Anand is the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning at Harvard University and the Henry R. Byers Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. Professor Anand is an expert in digital strategy, digital marketing, and corporate strategy. His work has examined competition in content industries, focusing on two central challenges that firms increasingly face: getting noticed and getting paid.

Learn More →

Peter High

Getting to Nimble

Author, speaker, podcast host, and Forbes contributor Peter High founded Metis Strategy in 2001. Peter is an expert in business and IT strategy, and is trusted advisor to business and tech executives across Fortune 500 companies in various industries.

Learn More →

Bill Aulet

Entrepreneurial Disciplines for CIOs

Bill Aulet is changing the way entrepreneurship is understood, taught and practiced around the world. With degrees from Harvard and MIT, Bill has over 25 years of business success, first at IBM and then as a three-time entrepreneur, creating hundreds of millions of dollars in shareholder value.

Learn More →

Joe Preston

Running Toward Growth

Joe Preston is President & CEO of New Balance Athletics, Inc., the leading $5.3 billion global sportswear brand with more than 8,000 associates and 3,500 retail locations worldwide. Privately held New Balance is recognized for its values-led culture and long-standing commitment to domestic manufacturing.

Learn More →

Dr. Tom Leighton

From Speed to Security

As one of the world’s preeminent authorities on algorithms for network applications and cybersecurity, Dr. Leighton discovered a solution to freeing up web congestion using applied mathematics and distributed computing. In 1998, Dr. Leighton co-founded Akamai Technologies as Chief Scientist until he became CEO in 2013. Under Dr. Leighton’s leadership, Akamai has evolved from its origins as a Content Delivery Network

Learn More →

Tzurit Or

Tzurit Or, founder, pastry chef, and the creative force behind Tatte, started Tatte Bakery fifteen years ago in her home kitchen, selling her creations at the Copley Square farmers market in Boston.

For Tzurit, building a bakery of her own was about more than just cultivating a thriving business; it was a way to create a sense of home and community while starting a new life as an immigrant to the United States. Her vision for Tatte was humble in origin - grounded in a simple mission to bring people together around great food and pastries while providing a deep sense of comfort and belonging.

Tzurit’s work has been featured in the NY Times, Food & Wine Magazine, O Magazine, Bon Appetit, Boston Globe and more. She resides with her daughter and chocolate Lab Georgie in Boston, Massachusetts.

Tatte has 30 locations in Boston and DC with 8 more slated to open in 2023.

Gerald Chertavian

Year Up is one of the nation’s largest youth workforce development programs and, with an annual operating budget of $170M, is one of the fastest growing non-profits in the nation. It has been recognized by Fast Company and The Monitor Group as one of the top 25 organizations using business excellence to engineer social change. Year Up is recognized consistently as one of the nation’s top 50 non-profits to work for by the Non-Profit Times.

Gerald began his career on Wall Street as an officer of the Chemical Banking Corporation. Following graduate school, he co-founded Conduit Communications and fostered its growth to more than $20M in annual revenue. From 1993 to 1998, Conduit ranked as one of the UK’s fastest growing companies. Following the sale of Conduit to i-Cube in 1999, Gerald turned his full attention to creating new opportunities for others in the community.

James Cash

HBS professor and author Dr. James Cash has broken barriers since he was a teenager. Throughout his career, he has been described as a pioneer, trailblazer, and game-changer.

Dr. Cash earned his BS in Mathematics from Texas Christian University, where he also became the first Black student-athlete at TCU and the first Black basketball player in the Southwest Conference. At Purdue, he earned MS and Ph.D. in Computer Science. He joined the Harvard Business School faculty in 1976, eventually becoming the first Black member of the faculty to receive tenure in 1985.

Dr. Cash taught in Harvard’s MBA program, authored numerous books and articles, and was a noted scholar on the strategic use of information technology in the service sector.

After more than 27 years at HBS, Cash retired from teaching in 2003, but has continued his influence by serving on the boards of 15 Fortune 100 companies, including Walmart, Microsoft, Chubb, and General Electric. In addition, He has been an investor and board member to over 30 early-stage enterprise software companies.

James continues his influence today by facilitating leadership development for technology leaders, executives, and board members of Global 500 organizations on the intersection of IT and corporate strategy.

Tim Sweeney

Tim Sweeney is President & CEO of Liberty Mutual Insurance. Since 1993, Tim has held leadership roles of increasing responsibility in strategy, distribution, product management, marketing, and global operations - and overseen numerous successful acquisitions and integrations. In 2018, Tim was named President of Global Retail Markets, Liberty Mutual’s global consumer and small commercial business, and in 2021 was named President of Global Risk Solutions and Liberty Mutual Investments.

Tim is passionate about building a high-performance and innovative culture - embracing an equitable and inclusive environment where all employees are driven to help customers embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow.

Tim serves on the boards of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts; the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.; the Massachusetts General Hospital annual gala; and the Massachusetts Business Roundtable. In 2019, Tim was named to the Insurance Business Hot 100 list.

Tim holds a BA in Economics from Harvard University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. A native of Lowell, Massachusetts, he currently resides in the Boston area.

Dr. Robert Playter

Playter has served over three decades in leadership at Boston Dynamics where he launched and led the creation of Atlas, the world’s most advanced humanoid robot.

Prior to his role as CEO, he served as Boston Dynamics’ chief operating officer and VP of Engineering where he helped lead the transition from a pure research organization to a commercial producer of advanced robot products.

Klara Jelinkova

Prior to joining Harvard, Klara had a distinguished career strengthening the IT functions of several notable institutions of higher education. First as Vice President and CIO at the University of Chicago and then at Rice University in Houston, receiving two CIO 100 Innovation Awards. Prior to Rice, she held key leadership positions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Duke University.

Klara holds a Doctorate in Education from Johns Hopkins University, a Master’s in Education from Boston University, and a BA in Economics and Slavic Languages from UW-Madison. In addition to her role at Harvard, she is an adjunct professor in management at Rice University. In 2019, Klara received the Internet2 Leadership Award for contributions to cybersecurity, privacy, and access management.

Bharat Anand

Bharat N. Anand is the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning at Harvard University and the Henry R. Byers Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School.

Professor Anand is an expert in digital strategy, digital marketing, and corporate strategy. His work has examined competition in content industries, focusing on two central challenges that firms increasingly face: getting noticed and getting paid.

He created Harvard Business School’s first executive program on digital strategies for media companies, and has written over fifty articles and case studies, receiving awards and recognition across a range of media outlets. His work on digital transformation has influenced startups and established companies, and he has advised organizations across the globe.

In 2014, Professor Anand helped create and launch digital learning for Harvard Business School Online - described by Fortune as the “Classroom of the Future”.

As Vice Provost, Anand has led Harvard’s efforts to formulate, communicate, and implement strategic priorities around online learning and residential teaching across the University.

Peter High

Metis strategic methodologies are used by clients to develop and update strategic plans, to choose and manage the right portfolio of initiatives, and to ensure that team performance is on the path to world class levels of performance.

Peter’s third book, Getting to Nimble: How to Transform Your Company Into a Digital Leader was published in 2021. With insights from executives at Capital One, Domino's Pizza, The Washington Post, FedEx and other leading firms, the book offers a framework and best practices for companies to transform their people practices, processes, technologies, ecosystems, and strategies for the digital era.

Peter’s Forbes column covers topics at the intersection of IT and business, with over 650 articles and more than 12 million page views.

Bill Aulet

Over the past decade, Bill has led entrepreneurship education across MIT, and his book, Disciplined Entrepreneurship, became an award-winning international best seller due to its accessible and methodical approach to entrepreneurship.

Bill writes and speaks logically on how entrepreneurs are created and the importance of both education and ecosystems. He is frequently quoted by the Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, the Boston Globe, Kauffman Foundation, Huffington Post and others. He has appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Bloomberg News, and at various events and conferences around the world.

Bill is a board member of MITEK Systems (NASDAQ: MITK) and XL Hybrids Inc. (Private). In addition to his academic work at MIT, he is Visiting Professor at University of Strathclyde (Scotland) and is on the Faculty Committee at the Asian Business School.

Joe Preston

Joe Preston is President & CEO of New Balance Athletics, Inc., the leading $5.3 billion global sportswear brand with more than 8,000 associates and 3,500 retail locations worldwide.

Privately held New Balance is recognized for its values-led culture and long-standing commitment to domestic manufacturing. Joe began his career at New Balance in 1995 and has more than 25 years of experience in the footwear industry. At New Balance, he served in various international leadership roles prior to being named President & CEO in 2018.

Joe is a member of the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy & Negotiations. He serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees for The Sports Museum, a non-profit educational institute that builds character in kids through the power of sports.

Dr. Tom Leighton

In 1998, Dr. Leighton co-founded Akamai Technologies as Chief Scientist until he became CEO in 2013. Under Dr. Leighton’s leadership, Akamai has evolved from its origins as a Content Delivery Network (CDN) into one of the most essential and trusted cloud delivery and cybersecurity platforms, upon which many of the world’s best brands and enterprises build and secure their digital experiences.

Over the past decade as CEO, Akamai’s revenue has more than doubled to $3.2 billion in 2020, while earnings per share has more than tripled. Over the same period, annual revenue from Akamai’s security business grew from less than $25 million to more than $1 billion, growing 25% year-over-year in 2020.

Attendee Dine Arounds

Blue Carpet Reception

Chapter Officers Forum

Inspirational Breakfast

Late Night

Late Night

Late Night

Leadership Panel | Breakfast

Lunch

Member Reception hosted by BostonCIO

National Finalist Dinner

National ORBIE Awards

Pre-Conference Activities

Program Session 1

Program Session 2

Program Session 3

Welcome Lunch

Welcome Reception

Monday, August 7

Pre-Conference Activities

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Various Locations

Spouses Invited Pre-Registration Required

Welcome Reception

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Inner Harbor Spirit

Spouses Invited Pre-Registration Required

Attendee Dine Arounds

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Various Seaport District Restaurants

Spouses Invited Pre-Registration Required Assigned Seating

Late Night

9:00 pm - 12:00 am

Birch Lobby Bar

Spouses Invited

Tuesday, August 8

Leadership Panel | Breakfast

7:30 am - 8:30 am

Grand Ballroom C/D/E

Chapter Officers Forum

9:00 am - 11:00 am

Commonwealth

Assigned Seating

Welcome Lunch

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Grand Ballroom C/D/E

Program Session 1

1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Grand Ballroom A/B

Assigned Seating

Member Reception hosted by BostonCIO

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Pavilion

Spouses Invited

National Finalist Dinner

6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ballroom

Spouses Invited Assigned Seating

Late Night

9:00 pm - 10:30 pm

Spouses Invited

Wednesday, August 9

Inspirational Breakfast

7:30 am - 8:30 am

Ballroom C/D/E

Program Session 2

9:00 am - 11:30 am

Ballroom A/B

Assigned Seating

Lunch

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Ballroom C/D/E

Assigned Seating

Program Session 3

1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Ballroom A/B

Assigned Seating

Blue Carpet Reception

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Ballroom Foyer