Laurie Kimbell

Member CIOs lead sessions, and they repeatedly say the commercial-free setting makes candor possible.

• Their case: a conversation across the table with someone who has done the job teaches more than a formal presentation.
• Members show the value by returning and treating the programs as professional development.

One dinner post opens with Longfellow's line that a single conversation across the table with a wise person beats ten years of studying books.

• It reports that member Michael Sokorai considers PhillyCIO programs his continuing education.
• The Marriott post makes the same point in Kimbell's words: "The answers were in the room."

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The programming centers on three questions: what makes a CIO an ideal candidate for a public or private board, how a CTO builds the knowledge to deal with a board effectively, and why a broad view across areas of business matters. The topic recurs across programs.

The joint NewYorkCIO and PhillyCIO program at Princeton University, hosted by Jay Dominick and moderated by Brian Watson, was announced around three questions. The recap describes the event: a guided campus tour, followed by a panel with Tom Murphy, Paul von Autenried and Kevin Kelly on preparing for and securing a board position and interacting effectively with boards, then a private reception.

The same three questions appear in the advance notice and recap, showing the topic carried through as planned.

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Each subject offers technology leaders something to take away, and the posts make access—not a product demonstration—the reason to attend. Kimbell calls these chapters' hallmark "Insider Events."

At Marriott International, Jim Scholefield's team gave CapitalCIO members a behind-the-scenes look at the company's digital strategy.

• Sarah Searls, Senior Vice President of Digital Products, presented on digital channel performance and how Marriott engages its most loyal customers, followed by a headquarters tour and reception.
• At the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, curator-led demonstrations turned data from prehistoric artifacts into a lesson in drawing modern judgment from collected data.

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A staffing CIO, a hospital CIO and a university CIO comparing notes can learn more than they would at a single-sector event.

• Joint events also bring a wider set of senior buyers together.
• Members, not outside experts, facilitate the discussions.

A PhillyCIO dinner on the future of technology, facilitated by Joshua Beeman, Associate Vice President and CIO at the University of Pennsylvania, drew CIOs from higher education, healthcare, construction and engineering, energy and utilities, staffing, and legal. The Princeton board-readiness session brought PhillyCIO and NewYorkCIO members together.

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Companies pay to support the environment, not take the stage; the no-pitch rule, Kimbell says, lets members speak frankly.

The Marriott post thanks Lumen Technologies, Google Cloud, ePlus and Fortinet; the museum tour and future-of-tech dinner thank Lumen Technologies, Google Cloud, Proactive Performance Solutions and Verinext. Kimbell also credits the PhillyCIO chapter's trusted underwriters for making the experiences possible.

The underwriter roster varies by post. "Proactive Performance" appears once as Consulting and once as Solutions, Inc., so the partner group is a changing lineup, not a fixed one.

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The posts also recruit, inviting readers to get in touch for event details. Their focus is on maintaining relationships in public, not broadcasting to a follower count.

Posts tag participants and chapter colleagues, credit the Inspire Leadership Network crew for running the Princeton event, and note that Kimbell's daughter Katie Kimbell traveled down from New York to help. The board-readiness notice invites interested C-suite technology leaders to message Kimbell for details.

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Newcomers can see the format before reading the other posts.

Kimbell describes a CapitalCIO "Insider Event" at Marriott International, thanking Jim Scholefield and the Marriott team for a behind-the-scenes look at the company's digital strategy, which the post credits with driving recovery and record-setting revenue.

• Sarah Searls, Senior Vice President of Digital Products, presented on digital channel performance and how Marriott engages its most loyal customers.
• Members then toured the new headquarters and attended a private reception.
• The events are designed to be commercial-free and funded by chapter underwriters, named here as Lumen Technologies, Google Cloud, ePlus, and Fortinet.

For brands planning a campaign

Points to underwriting as the entry model rather than a pitch slot: a vendor pays for the program and stays off the agenda. A brand seeking visibility with senior technology buyers would fund a member-hosted event, not buy a speaking slot in front of an audience.

This promotional post announces a joint NewYorkCIO and PhillyCIO session at Princeton University, hosted by Jay Dominick and moderated by Brian Watson.

• It lays out three questions the session will address: what makes a CIO an ideal candidate for a public or private board seat, how a CTO builds the knowledge to interact effectively with a board, and why a broad business perspective matters.
• It invites interested C-suite technology leaders to message the author for details.

For brands planning a campaign

Useful when a campaign needs qualified executive attendance, not just reach. The post shows a working call to action for a niche senior audience: a clear topic, named hosts and moderators, and a direct request to make contact.

A member's description of the programs as continuing education offers a concrete signal of how the audience values the sessions.

Kimbell recounts a PhillyCIO dinner on the future of technology, facilitated by Joshua Beeman, Associate Vice President and CIO at the University of Pennsylvania.

• Members represented higher education, healthcare, construction and engineering, energy and utilities, staffing, and legal.
• The post says the dialogue was strong enough that one member described the programs as their continuing education.
• It notes that the programs are commercial-free and thanks underwriters Lumen Technologies, Google Cloud, Proactive Performance Solutions, and Verinext.

For brands planning a campaign

A partner can support a peer discussion led by a CIO rather than deliver a product pitch. The cross-industry mix means a message has to work for several sectors at once, making themes like security, data, or vendor management a better fit than narrow vertical topics.

Readers can see the recurring shape of the work, not just a single announcement.

This follow-up covers the Princeton program jointly run for PhillyCIO and NewYorkCIO members: a guided campus tour, a panel on preparing for and securing a board position and interacting effectively with boards, then a private reception.

• Brian Watson facilitated; Tom Murphy, Paul von Autenried, and Kevin Kelly were the panelists.
• Kimbell credits the Inspire Leadership Network crew and notes that their daughter Katie Kimbell traveled down from New York to help run the event.
• They also thank underwriters Google, Lumen Technologies, Proactive Performance Consulting, and Verinext.

For brands planning a campaign

Board readiness is a recurring program pillar, giving a governance, audit, or advisory firm a chance to participate as an underwriter or panel contributor. The post also shows the work behind the events, useful to anyone deciding whether to co-run a program rather than simply sponsor one.

Kimbell writes about Tom DeChiaro and his team hosting PhillyCIO members for a VIP tour of the Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University, the second oldest natural history museum in the world.

• Curators demonstrated how data collected from prehistoric artifacts leads to modern wisdom, and members moved to a private reception in the Dinosaur Hall.
• The post notes that programs are CIO-led and commercial-free, and thanks underwriters Lumen Technologies, Google Cloud, Proactive Performance Solutions, and Verinext.

For brands planning a campaign

Shows a venue-based hosting model: a company or institution supplies a memorable location and a discussion topic tied to technology decisions. A brand with a distinctive site or customer story could host members in the same way rather than buy advertising.

A joint PhillyCIO and NewYorkCIO session at Princeton, hosted by Jay Dominick, explored what makes a CIO an ideal candidate for a public or private board seat, how a CTO can build the knowledge to engage with a board, and why broad business perspective matters. The recap describes the panel discussion — Brian Watson facilitating with Tom Murphy, Paul von Autenried and Kevin Kelly — and the reception that followed.

Joint program across two CIO chapters, held at a university host site, with a moderated panel and private reception; promoted before the event and recapped afterward.

For brands planning a campaign

A governance-education provider, board advisory practice or executive search firm can reach senior technology leaders already focused on board seats. Sponsor the discussion or supply a credible CIO voice, not a product pitch.

Examples: Source 1 · Source 2

Marriott International’s Jim Scholefield and Sarah Searls walked CapitalCIO members through Marriott’s digital strategy and channel performance; at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Tom DeChiaro had curators show how data from prehistoric artifacts informs modern work.

Host-executive presentation, behind-the-scenes facility tour, then a private reception. Kimbell calls these the chapters’ hallmark “Insider Events.”

For brands planning a campaign

A brand with an interesting physical operation or a genuine internal-technology story can host this format. The draw is access and a look at how the host works, not a product demonstration.

Examples: Source 1 · Source 2

Google, Google Cloud, Lumen Technologies, Verinext, ePlus, Fortinet and Proactive Performance appear across the posts as funders.

The underwriter lists vary from post to post, and one company appears as both “Proactive Performance Consulting” and “Proactive Performance Solutions, Inc.” Treat the roster as changing, not as a fixed partner set.

For brands planning a campaign

Partner presence means underwriting a peer program, not taking the stage. Sponsors buy access to the room and its relationships, so plan for brand presence around the content rather than a speaking slot.

Examples: Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3 · Source 4

PhillyCIO and NewYorkCIO ran the Princeton board-readiness program together, while a PhillyCIO dinner facilitated by Joshua Beeman of the University of Pennsylvania brought CIOs from higher education, healthcare, construction and engineering, energy and utilities, staffing and legal into one conversation.

Joint programs between regional CIO chapters, and dinners facilitated by a member CIO rather than an outside speaker.

For brands planning a campaign

One partnership can reach senior technology buyers across regions and industries rather than a single vertical. That suits vendors whose market is defined by job role rather than sector, and those looking to reach leaders who do not attend vendor-run events.

Examples: Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3

Members can build relationships in a commercial-free setting; one member called the programs his continuing education.

For brands planning a campaign

A brand’s most natural route in is through its own CIO, an outside CIO peer or underwriting. A vendor-led session would clash with the stated commercial-free framing that gives the programs credibility with members.

Examples: Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3 · Source 4

One closes with an invitation to message Kimbell directly for event details; another describes them working alongside the network team on event logistics.

LinkedIn serves for both advance notice and post-event recaps, with tagged participants, hashtags and chapter links.

For brands planning a campaign

Recruitment is personal and invitation-driven. Co-marketing or a named call to action in these posts can reach an audience that has opted into chapter events and trusts Kimbell’s introductions.

Examples: Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3 · Source 4 · Source 5

Kimbell credits these partners with making commercial-free member programming possible; the posts do not describe a relationship between Kimbell and Lumen.

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Kimbell names it among the partners supporting commercial-free CIO programming; the posts do not describe a connection between Kimbell and the company.

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The posts thank Verinext for supporting member programs but do not describe a relationship with Kimbell.

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The posts thank the firm for supporting member programming but do not establish which spelling is current. Ask which name to use.

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Appears once as a supporting partner; the post does not describe a relationship with Kimbell.

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Appears once as a supporting partner; the post does not describe a relationship with Kimbell.

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The posts do not clarify whether Kimbell is an employee, contractor, or volunteer. Ask about their role.

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Mazzuco returns every quarter to a five-part business review covering marketing, offers, revenue, systems and goals.

• Kimbell revisits program formats such as board-readiness sessions and host-site visits, taking a topic from announcement through write-up.
• Both write plainly for a defined audience about how a business should run.

Mazzuco writes for small-business owners and solo operators who run the work themselves, offering direct coaching drawn from her path through alarm, insurance, banking, property management and tech marketing. Kimbell writes for CIOs at large organizations, focusing on convening peer groups and the access those gatherings provide rather than advice to apply on your own.

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Edwards describes communications companies including AT&T, Charter, Comcast, Cox, Lumen, T-Mobile, Verizon and Zayo pooling threat information through a shared security center; Kimbell describes CIOs from different industries and two regional chapters comparing notes in one room. Both emphasize the effort’s credibility and name the people and organizations doing the work.

Edwards writes as a practitioner in a domain he runs: cybersecurity, compliance and government security programs, including specific frameworks and the roles he is hiring for. Kimbell writes about programming conversations between peers, not about running a security or compliance function.

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Atilano co-led a workshop panel at the Sustainability LIVE Leadership Summit during NYC Climate Week and reported back on the sessions, partnerships and executive dinner—a rhythm of announcement followed by recap that Kimbell uses for panel discussions and dinners. Both credit named colleagues, partners and hosts, and frame the value as what practitioners learn from each other in the room.

Atilano covers sustainability in enterprise software—carbon and financial impact mapped together through ERP data, reporting standards and supply chains—from a software vendor’s advisory role. Kimbell focuses on the CIO peer network: who was in the room and how the program was run, rather than a technology portfolio.

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The two posts trace a working life through hospitality, an alarm company, insurance, banking, property management, and cybersecurity channel marketing before Your Business Blueprint, a coaching practice for small businesses.

• The quarterly business review post offers a ready-made owner-operator framework: block an afternoon each quarter, then review marketing, offers, revenue, systems and implementation, and alignment with goals.
• A sponsor serving owner-operators, or an events team seeking a practitioner-led workshop rather than a CIO peer dinner, gets a concrete method from a coach who describes using it on their own business.

The swap costs the enterprise technology audience.

• Mazzuco speaks to small-business owners, not CIOs and CTOs, and neither post documents a member network, chapter structure, underwriter model, or board-readiness programming.
• A buyer seeking a room of senior technology leaders would need to supply the room, format, and seniority, and would get an owner-operator coaching voice in return.
• Mazzuco’s audience and documented activity suit a different task: reaching governance-minded technology executives through trusted peer communities.

Examples: Source 1 · Source 2

One post describes a founding role in C2 ISAC, a communications-sector information-sharing body listed alongside AT&T, Charter, Comcast, Cox, Lumen, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Zayo, and a director seat on its board.

• Another covers a senior compliance and government-security role spanning CMMC, NIST 800-171, FedRAMP, DFARS, SOC 2, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS, plus the facility-security and ITPSO duties attached to it.
• For a sponsor selling governance, risk, or compliance to communications and government-adjacent buyers, that mix of sector board work and hands-on program detail sits closer to the buying conversation than a general board-readiness dinner.

The tradeoff is neutrality and convening.

• Edwards writes from inside an employer, so any association carries an operator or vendor affiliation that a commercial-free CLU program does not.
• The posts describe sector collaboration and a hiring push, not a member community with events, sponsors, or peer programming.
• Ask for audience, event, and sponsorship terms before deciding whether Edwards can convene independent CIOs and CTOs.
• Buyers would trade the neutral peer-room format and cross-industry dinner model for direct access to a critical-infrastructure security leader.

Examples: Source 1 · Source 2

One post announces a move into a Sustainability Principal advisory role at SAP and names the frameworks in scope, including CSRD, EU Taxonomy, the GHG Protocol, and ISSB/IFRS, alongside earlier work in cloud ERP, business AI, and supply chain.

• The other recaps NYC Climate Week, including a workshop panel titled “From Footprint to Action: Closing the Sustainability Execution Gap” that argues financial, operational, and carbon impact have to be mapped together through ERP data.
• A sponsor selling carbon accounting, ESG reporting, or ERP-linked sustainability software gets a domain specialist with named enterprise programming and a stated advisory remit.

The domain narrows sharply.

• Ko Atilano’s posts focus on SAP’s sustainability portfolio and employer-brand events, reaching SAP-connected sustainability buyers and practitioners rather than a cross-industry CIO peer community.
• The convening shown is corporate conference participation—Climate Week sessions, a workshop panel, and an executive dinner—not an independent member network with chapters and underwriters.
• A buyer seeking broad technology-leadership access would trade that reach and the neutral convener role for deep but vendor-tied sustainability reach.

Examples: Source 1 · Source 2