TALENTED FACILITATORS DELIVER THE RENOWNED RLF PROGRAM

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David Baer is a leader with 30-plus years’ experience in technology. Most recently he served as a Senior Director within the global pharmaceutical company, Pfizer. There, his roles included leading the technology team supporting the Global Regulatory Organization (including during the submission of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine), and 4 years working as Chief of Staff for the Digital SVP of R&D. David relocated to the US from his native England in 2003, where his prior experience included both Business and IT roles in the Financial Services industry. David is a graduate of both RLF and the Executive RLF.  Reach David at  david@ascentconsulting.us 

Margot Carleton is an IT executive with over 30 years of leadership at large and small companies, now dedicating herself to leadership coaching and growing the next generation of leaders. She spent 10 years as the VP/CIO at BAMSI, a large human service, non-profit. Prior to that, she spent 25 years working at Kendall/Tyco Healthcare/Covidien/Medtronic where she was VP responsible for applications and acquisition integrations. She’s on the Advisory Board for GrowHope Foundation and on the Board of SIM Boston. She graduated in 2009 from RLF and is currently a certified Leadership & Transition Coach.  Reach Margot at margotcarleton@gmail.com.

Howie Cohen advises the Defense Media Activity at the US Department of Defense. Prior to this, he owned and operated a startup, IonX llc., led collaboration services at Bristol Myers Squibb, led knowledge management at Chubb Insurance, and offered consulting services as a Booz Allen Hamilton Lead Associate for Fortune 500 companies and the Department of Defense.  He has served as a facilitator at Columbia University, guest lecturer and speaker for global engagements.  He also publishes a blog where he shares his insights and experiences on topics such as communication, innovation, and personal growth.  Reach Howie at howardscohenmba@gmail.com.

Suzie DeBusk is a 2017 RLF graduate, a leadership coach and the CEO of a software development firm skilled in process re-engineering, requirements gathering and systems definition. She’s a longtime board member of the SIM Central Florida chapter and is actively involved in leadership endeavors throughout Brevard County and other Central Florida counties.  Reach Suzie at suzie@dragonpoint.com.

Georgeann DiRienzo is a 2008 RLF graduate and an IT and Operations Manager at Chubb, the world's largest publicly traded property & casualty insurance company.  She has over 35 years of experience in both IT and the insurance industry, with extensive experience leading cross-functional teams and projects, and working directly with senior leadership on special projects. She currently works in the Chubb Overseas General department supporting Operations and IT throughout Chubb’s countries/regions.    Her career has spanned many other positions in IT, Commercial and Personal lines Insurance and Human Resources.    Reach Georgeann at geoann.dirienzo@gmail.com .

Michael Garlich is a marketing professional with award-winning capabilities honed while leading successful marketing and communications strategies at major organizations during transformational expansion and change. He has served as the CMO / chief communications officer at one of Florida’s fastest-growing state colleges, as the VP of marketing and communications for Central Florida’s largest privately-held employer, and led the marketing and communications areas for two divisions of The Kroger Co. He is a longtime resident of Orlando, FL and is actively involved in leadership and community activities in the Central Florida area.  Reach Michael at magarlich@gmail.com.

 Lisa Hennig is an accomplished leadership development coach and a 2023 graduate of the Midwest RLF. She is a member of the NYC Chapter of SIM. Lisa has coached over 120 technologists at clients such as JP Morgan Chase and HBO. Prior to her career in consulting, Lisa was an HR Manager for a Wall Street-based financial services company. There, she delivered talent management programs for a 950-person information technology group.    Reach Lisa at lisahennig@gmail.com. 

 Cliff Higbee is a longtime RLF Facilitator and former Director of the Management Information Center for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is a past Intermountain Chapter president and has served on the SIM Executive Board in several Vice President positions. He’s been a guest lecturer at Weber State University and Salt Lake Community College. He served in an elected position on the Salt Lake City School Board and on advisory boards for Weber State University and Utah State University.  Reach Cliff at Higbeecw@gmail.com. 

 Steven John  is the former CIO of Aramark Uniform Services & Aramark Refreshment Services, and has also held senior executive positions at Workday, AmeriPride Services, H.B. Fuller, Agriliance, and Cigna.  He was named to the ‘CIO Hall of Fame’ (Class of 2018) by IDG/ CIO.com, has been recognized as a ‘Premier 100 IT Leader’ by Computerworld Magazine, has received the CIO Executive Council’s Leadership Award and been recognized by Information Week as an industry innovator for his cloud solutions work. Steven holds a BA in Business Administration from the University of Utah and is currently on the faculty of IANS Research, an organization supporting the CISO profession.    Reach Steven at sajohn@comcast.net. 

Steve McDowell  is an experienced IT manager, who has served as a CIO or IT department head for several different organizations for 35+ years.  He’s worked in industries including Property Management, Healthcare, Hospitality, Transportation and Government. As a thought leader, Steve combines strong business acumen with a deep understanding of advancing organizations through appropriate technology. His focus is on mission, strengthening an organization’s financial foundation, fostering loyalty among staff members through a positive, diverse corporate culture—and driving a service-oriented team that delivers exemplary customer education, troubleshooting, and issue resolution.   Reach Steve at  steve@mcdowells.org.

Fred Pond  has more than 40 years of experience in business and technology in the Pacific Northwest, with 25 years managing teams and technology as CIO for SSA Marine/Tideworks Technology, The Schnitzer Group of Companies, North Pacific Group and Co-lumbia Sportswear. He has also participated and led advisory boards including the Port-land SIM chapter, the CIO Forum of the Technology Association of Oregon (TAO), Quest JD Edwards Global User Group, and the Operations and Technology major at the Pamplin School of Business at the University of Portland. He continues to be actively involved with business and technology through his work on advisory boards and consulting.   Reach Fred at fred.pond@frontier.com.

George Rios  is a Senior Technology Advisor and an Executive Coach. With over 30 years of IT experience, George has experience in working through top organizational challenges amid the impact of digital transformation while fostering interpersonal relationships.   He is the former CIO and Director of IT for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and has held private sector IT leadership positionsincluding Fisher Controls International, MediaNet, and Computer Science Corporation (CSC).  He has served as the Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communications (TASSCC) president and a board member on other civic and professional advisory boards.  He's been awarded the TASSCC President’s Award for IT Excellence, and the CIO of the Year by the Texas Public Sector CIO Academy.   Reach George at  georios3@gmail.com .

Steve Rodichock  is an MBA credentialed Technology leader and 2016 Midwest RLF graduate. He is an active member of the Society of Information Management, Chicago Chapter and a US Navy Veteran. Steve brings an authentic, collaborative and strategic leadership style to RLF along with his 24 and still counting years of experience. Steve currently holds an Executive Director, Head of TPA & Payer Solutions IT role within the CVS Health / Aetna Technology organization.   Reach Steve at swrodichok@gmail.com.

Chris Scheidel is a seasoned global technology executive and entrepreneur with a passion for building new companies while leading people to higher levels of performance. With over 25 years of deep expertise in technology and broad international executive leadership experience, Christopher has led transformative efforts for Fortune 100 companies as well as innovative market solutions for small startups. Christopher’s unique blend of creativity and leadership is fueled by his love of music, enthusiasm for diverse cultural perspectives, and passion for guiding individuals in discovering their true potential  Reach Chris at christopher.scheidel@gmail.com 

Kimberly Sharp  has 20+ years of combined retail industry leadership and IT consulting experience.  Kimberly provides clients with the strategic guidance, executive education, and ongoing support necessary to build inclusive, mission-driven teams and has the ability to inspire and drive excellence in individuals and their teams. She passionately lives her purpose, planting seeds of knowledge so that others flourish in their journey to become the best version of themselves.  She’s an active member and leader within her professional network, including Americas’ SAP User Group, NextUp and SIM Boston. She is a 2017 graduate of RLF.  Reach Kimberly at kimberly_sharp@outlook.com.

Kimberly Tableman  is the Founder and CEO of ESPERO, an author and a leader helping women. She has an extensive 25-year history in technology – including 15 in Pharma across Clinical Development – working at Pfizer, GSK, and most recently as the Chief Clinical Development Officer at Castor ...a Series B company using technology to power and democratize Clinical Research.  Prior to that, she worked in management consulting at Cap Gemini Ernst & Young.  Kimberly holds an MIS degree from Central Michigan University and an MS degree in Information and Knowledge Strategy from Columbia University.  She has spoken at numerous conferences about the need to create efficiencies in Clinical Research and get therapies to patients faster.  Reach Kimberly at  kimberlytableman@gmail.com.

Carla Williams  is a seasoned executive with 20-plus years of Fortune 300 experience,  leading initiatives at the intersection of people, technology and business processes. She’s successfully led $70M+ global business process and technology transformation efforts, from ideation to impact. In her current consulting practice she helps leverage data powered by AI to optimize people strategies and drive organizational productivity and growth. Her work includes partnering with household names in pharmaceuticals, insurance, healthcare, banking, high tech and manufacturing. She often provides keynote addresses and thought leadership on driving transformational business impact.  Reach Carla at carla.williams.rlf@gmail.com.

Jane Wiltshire  has over 25 years experience as a leader in Pharma and IT, with expertise in Digital Workplace, IT Mergers and Acquisitions, Infrastructure. At Pfizer, Jane led the technology elements of $160+ billion worth of Business Development transactions and deployment of Microsoft 365 to 120K+ workers. She is engaged in leadership development at all levels, positively impacting the careers of hundreds of talented IT professionals by fostering interest in STEM careers in local high schools, creating programs to hire and develop entry-level talent and dedication to RLF. Jane is now focused exclusively on giving back through mentoring and coaching of IT professionals and others to bring out their full potential.   Reach Jane at jane@lumeria.llc.