I got the pleasure to meet with Noah Jeffrey a couple of times in his ACE Leadership program with MnTech. It was cool to hear the things he was working through, be able to share some perspectives and experiences, and I think we both learned some things from the dialog. 🤝

    MnTech Tech Connect 2023

    I had a good time learning new topics and connecting with other technology leaders at the MnTech Tech Connect event today.

    My sessions:

    • Technological Disruption: A Futurist’s Perspective with Matt Versaggi
    • Exploring OpenAI: Practical Applications for Real-World Problem Solving with Nick Kwicien
    • The Art of Personalization wtih AI/ML: Optimizing Conversion by Showing Customers What They Want with Matt Yates and Max Lindquist
    • Empowering Our Future Through Science with Dr. Jayshree Seth
    • Cybersecurity State of the Union 2023 with Aaron Warner
    • The Future Fit Digital Organization: What Does the Data Say? with Charles Betz
    • Driving Business Success Through Innovation and Technology panel with Steve Arsenault, David Bingenheimer, David Black, Chris Chapman, and Julie Durham facilitated by Jeff Tollefson

    MnTech Leadership Forum: Generative AI

    Today I hosted the MnTech Q1 2023 Tech Leadership Forum. The organization is changing the format of this event to have technology leaders run these quarterly forums. I thought it would be fun to focus on the topic that is making so much press lately — Generative AI: Harnessing Disruption into Innovation.

    I was lucky enough to get three others to join in the dialog:

    Some of the topics discussed:

    • Why now? AI has been in the works for a long time. Has there been a technological breakthrough recently?
    • How does Generative AI affect how we build software.
    • How does Generative AI benefit from these early releases.
    • Opportunities technologists see to use this capability in their organizations.
    • What are some of the risks to keep an eye on?
    • AI as a coach or mentor?

    Since it was an invite only event for members there isn’t a video to share. 😕

    Of course there is a POAP for the event! And even more exciting, the POAP is also held by POAP.MnTech.eth which is the first POAP that MnTech is officially producing.

    At today’s MnTech board meeting we heard presentations from the 2022 ACE Leadership participants as they finished the program. Wonderful group of gifted leaders bringing innovative ideas forward.

    Tech Inclusion Alliance at MnTech Tech Talent

    It was great to get to be part of the MnTech Tech Talent event today with Caroline Karanja as she shared the details of the new Tech Inclusion Alliance, and then a brief panel discussion with Tarek Tomes and myself on what companies are doing that is working to bring more diverse talent into technology.

    My key points:

    1. Companies need to solve this problem or it will limit their growth as they are unable the available talent pool isn’t growing fast enough.
    2. Companies can do more to lower the barriers to bringing talent into their organization. Technology choices are hiring choices!

    The video for the session is up now.

    Had my mini studio setup today to present at the MnTech CIO Forum: Straight talk on emerging technologies event. Green screen, mic, key light improve things a lot!

    2021 Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Award Ceremony

    Great night joining the Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Award Ceremony tonight and recognizing so many young women that are making their mark in STEM. I also want to welcome our four #TeamSPS summer interns Ezigbo, Caroline, Claire, and Cecelia to SPS Commerce. I can’t wait to see what you create! Lastly, a huge thanks to Jade Denson of MnTech for emceeing and bringing so much fun and energy to the event!

    See ceremonies from 2020, 2019, and 2016.

    It was great to see the current ACE Leadership class present at todays MnTech Board meeting. They formed multiple teams and engaged with Genesys Works, Lunar Startups, Reve Academy, PCs for People, and Technovation[MN]. These teams worked with their non-profit partners to do analysis on recommendations, new programs and other ways to continue to drive their mission forward. This was a great way to learn more about these groups and what they are doing, further develop technology talent with real world experience, and give back to organizations that are doing good in our community! 👏

    After the Tech Talent event today John Avenson, VP of Technology for the Minnesota Twins, took a small group on a short technology tour of Target Field. It was an awesome time! I loved hearing how the network works and how all the cabling is routed around.

    Upon seeing this cable tray, Amy Patton blurts out “That’s beautiful” with absolutely no irony. Only in tech… 🤩🙌 (PS: I agree!) Nice job Target Field tech team!

    MHTA Tech Talent 2020

    Learned a lot this morning at the MHTA Tech Talent 2020 event! A wealth of data from Grant Riewe, Erin Olson, Sri Koneru, and Tim Welsh. #TechTalent

    <img src=“https://www.thingelstad.com/uploads/2020/df836e5451.jpg" width=“600” height=“450” alt=”" /

    The Success Stories from Minnesota Workplaces at todays MHTA Tech Talent 2020 event were very informative. It was great to hear what is working for everyone. This event is only in it’s 2nd year but is already a mainstay for the community. #TechTalent

    It was a privilege to be able to share some perspective and success stories at the MHTA Tech Talent 2020 event about what we are doing at SPS Commerce to attract, retain, and develop technology talent! #TechTalent

    Solid State from MHTA

    Attending the premier of Solid State: Minnesota’s High Tech History hosted by MHTA.

    Good panel conversation following screening of Solid State.

    MHTA Tech Talent 2019

    At MHTA Tech Talent event today, participating in panel shortly. Mike McNamara, CIO of Target, kicking it off. Event focused on efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in technology. Looking forward to sharing our progress at SPS Commerce.

    Some very insightful data being shared this morning at MHTA Tech Talent event from Deb Broberg of RealTime Talent, Allison Liuzzi of Minnesota Compass Project, Matt Lewis of Make It. MSP.!

    Improving diversity In tech: York Solutions; Genesis10; Prime Digital Academy; Creating IT Futures; Software Guild; Summit Academy; Minnesota State IT Center of Excellence; Dougherty Family College; Apprenti; Keyot Crew212; Twin Cities Rise; Genesys Works; SciTechsperience

    It was great to be able to share the impressive work we’ve done at SPS Commerce to make a technology career more inclusive and accessible. A lot of progress and momentum for more! Thanks to Amy Patton for the picture!

    Looking forward to speaking at the MHTA Annual CIO Panel next week!

    MHTA Spring Event 2016

    Thought provoking opening presentation by Susan Bower on workforce trends.

    Smart overview of the IoT landscape from @iotwatch.

    Evolution of Mobile talk from Mike Bollinger.