SIM Detroit

One conversation. One introduction.

The power of one!

There’s a lot of noise out here right now. I’m intentional about putting my energy into things that actually create impact, build people, and strengthen our community.

Find a couple people you can say anything to. No filters. No pretending. Bonus if they call you on your bullshit when you need it most. That’s not just friendship. That’s growth. 🔥

We’re excited to welcome Rex Menold as a keynote speaker at the 2026 Michigan Technology Leaders Summit! Rex Menold is the chief security officer for the State of Michigan, leading the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection division at the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB). In this role, he leads a 140-person team responsible threat detection and response, risk governance, identity and access management, and security compliance in close partnership with 20 state agencies and public–private stakeholders. A dedicated public servant with more than 25 years of experience within state government, Rex is a sought-after speaker on the topics of public sector insider threat management and the true cost of complexity in IT. Rex holds a bachelor’s degree in management information systems and management from Northwood University, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. 📅 Registration is open!! michigantechleaders.com 🤝 Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Contact: sponsor@simdetroit.org #MTL2026 #CIO's #CISO's #TechLeaders #DetroitTechnology #ecosystem! #BetterTogether #leanin

The Michigan Technology Leaders Summit Steering Committee, on behalf of SIM Detroit, would like to welcome our Parking sponsor, Vaco, to this year’s Summit. We thank them for their ongoing support of the local technology community. Vaco by Highspring is the talent solutions arm of Highspring. With more than 45 offices worldwide and 7 international delivery centers, Vaco by Highspring provides tailored talent solutions—including contract staffing and direct hire—across a wide range of industries. By combining forward-thinking strategies with exceptional talent, Vaco helps organizations seize opportunities and drive meaningful results. vaco.com If you have not yet registered, register here: buff.ly/S6Sn8tO If you are interested in sponsoring, contact sponsor@simdetroit.org to become a sponsor today! #MTL2026 #CIO's #CISO's #TechLeaders #DetroitTechnology #ecosystem! #BetterTogether #leanin

There’s always a surge of “certainty” after something unprecedented happens. Everyone suddenly has the answer. Everyone would have done it differently. Everyone forgets what it feels like to be in the arena when the play is unfolding in real time. But breaches like this don’t follow a script. They expose complexity, not incompetence. They test systems, teams, and leadership in ways no tabletop exercise ever fully captures. It’s easy to analyze from a distance. It’s much harder to defend, decide, and respond when the stakes are real and the clock is running. I respect the teams in the fight. The ones working through the noise. The ones owning the outcome. I’m with you. Rooting for the builders. The defenders. The ones who show up when it matters. Because when something has never been seen before… There is no playbook. Only leadership. The SIM Detroit organization stands with you! 🛡️

AI is already transforming how organizations manage customer interactions—and you’ll hear exactly how at the Michigan Technology Leaders Summit 2026. Join Lisa Schlaf and Naveen Kaul for the session “Credit Acceptance Case Study – Gen AI Virtual Agent Project & Demo.” They’ll share how Credit Acceptance integrated Generative AI agents into their telephony platform to streamline inbound calls and automate routine interactions. After a six-month vendor evaluation and under five months of implementation, the system launched with a 22% call containment rate and enabled real-time payment processing, allowing teams to focus on more complex customer needs. Don’t miss this real-world look at how Generative AI is driving efficiency and innovation in customer operations, register today: buff.ly/S6Sn8tO #MTL2026 #CIO's #CISO's #TechLeaders #DetroitTechnology #ecosystem! #BetterTogether #leanin

At SIM Detroit, we know that progress takes more than luck. It takes leadership, innovation, and a strong tech community. Wishing you a bright and meaningful St. Patrick’s Day!

Every penny of proceeds from the Michigan Technology Leaders Summit goes back into Detroit based charities. Not shareholders. Not profit. Not a corporate machine. Detroit. That is what makes this community different. Our partners are not simply sponsoring an event. They are investing in mentorship. In STEM programs. In workforce development. In the next generation of Detroit technology leaders. This summit is volunteer fueled and community powered. And every year the impact grows because leaders choose to lean in. To every partner standing with us this year, thank you. Impact over profit. If not us, then who? michigantechleaders.com #SIMDetroit #MichiganTechLeaders #ImpactOverProfit #DetroitTech #WereNotTheSame

Nothing good is ever easy. But the things worth building rarely are. 🫶

The juice is worth the squeeze!

Detroit builds tech leaders. The Michigan Technology Leaders Summit returns April 22, 2026 at Elevate | One Campus Martius, Detroit. This summit is 100% volunteer fueled and 100% of net proceeds support Detroit STEM programs, mentorship, and workforce development. If your company believes in building the next generation of tech leaders in Detroit, we’d love your support. Join us. Sponsor. Register. michigantechleaders.com #MTLSummit #SIMDetroit #DetroitTech #Leadership #BuiltInDetroit

Great event, great mission, great community - hope to see you there!

Nathan Howe is the Global Head of Innovation at Zscaler, where he leads the development of next-generation technologies shaping the future of secure connectivity. With more than 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, Nathan has driven major innovation initiatives at global organizations including Nestlé and Verizon. At the Michigan Technology Leaders Summit, Nathan will explore how Zero Trust architecture enables organizations to safely unlock the business value of AI. His session will highlight why identity-based connections, granular segmentation, and continuous verification are essential for protecting modern enterprises while enabling AI-driven innovation. Register for the summit:🔗 : buff.ly/S6Sn8tO Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Contact sponsor@simdetroit.org #MTL2026 #CIO's #CISO's #TechLeaders #DetroitTechnology #ecosystem! #BetterTogether #leanin

Thank you to everyone who joined SIM Women Detroit last night for our Kick Off Dinner! We were delighted to hear from Apurva Wadodkar during a fireside chat on “Designing the Journey: Clarity, Courage, and Momentum,” moderated by Christine Rydzewski. Apurva shared powerful insights on leadership and career growth, including the importance of being a “matchmaker in chief” as a manager, anticipating challenges as a thought leader, and intentionally developing future leaders. The conversation also highlighted building your personal brand on LinkedIn, prioritizing the work that energizes you, navigating setbacks, and the impact of advocating for and supporting one another as women in the technology industry. We’re grateful to everyone who joined the conversation and helped kick off an inspiring year for the SIM Women Detroit community. ✨

Sent out blast email message out on Monday at 7:45 from Board Member, @syorkMI to all @SIMDetroit members about this the power of 1️⃣?

SIM Detroit would like to welcome one of our newest members, Firas Taiem. For more information about SIM memberships, look at our website: https:/buff.ly/3Wp41j1

Don’t miss your chance to attend the 2026 Michigan Technology Leaders Summit! Connect with Michigan’s leading technology executives, gain industry insights, and expand your network. Registration is now open. Save your seat today! 🔗 : buff.ly/S6Sn8tO

Do. Hard. Things.