Quest Executive Forum

Attendees will participate in facilitated roundtable discussions, diving into the following key topics:

• Leadership in ERP Strategy: Exploring how IT leaders can align ERP initiatives with organizational goals and long-term vision.
• Building an Agile Workforce: Strategies to upskill, reskill, and create teams that adapt and thrive amid change.
• Collaboration Across Teams: Breaking down silos to foster communication and alignment across departments.
• Challenges in Change Leadership: Practical solutions to overcome resistance and lead with clarity during transitions.
• The Future of Work: Preparing for evolving workforce trends, including remote work, automation, and generational shifts.
• Empowering Decision-Making Through Data and Insights: Leveraging analytics to drive informed, strategic choices.

What Attendees Will Learn:

• Innovative strategies and best practices from peers in similar roles.
• Practical approaches to overcoming resistance to change and fostering collaboration.
• Insights into building a future-ready workforce equipped to handle technological and cultural transformations.

Panel Themes Include:

• Agility in Practice: Real-world case studies showcasing how organizations have adapted their ERP systems to meet rapid business changes.
• Strategic Decision-Making: Proven criteria and processes for evaluating and implementing new functionalities that align with business objectives.
• Preparing Your People: Practical approaches to creating robust training programs, fostering a growth mindset, and building leadership capacity at every level.
• Culture of Innovation: How to cultivate organizational mindsets that embrace and sustain ongoing change.
• Lessons Learned: Honest reflections on the successes and challenges experienced while implementing innovative ERP functionalities.

What Attendees Will Learn:

• Actionable insights from leaders who have successfully tackled the complexities of accelerated innovation.
• Practical strategies for preparing teams to thrive and aligning ERP initiatives with organizational goals.
• Lessons that can be applied to foster a culture of agility, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Martha Heller
Chief Executive Officer, Heller

Martha Heller is a widely followed technology talent thought leader and the CEO of Heller, a premier executive search firm specializing in technology leadership for the new data economy.

A visionary with a deep understanding of technology talent needs and the ability to foresee changing leadership requirements, Martha has worked closely with countless businesses to create their “future state” technology team to transform, grow, and drive companies forward. A trusted advisor to executives around the country and across industries, Martha anticipates and identifies technology talent solutions that propel clients forward with the right leadership in place.

Over the course of her accomplished career, Martha has become a respected voice on cutting-edge technology issues. Martha has been a contributor to CIO.com, a leading digital news outlet for technology professionals, for more than two decades. She was founder of the CIO Executive Council, a professional organization for Global 1000 Chief Information Officers.

Martha is the author of two books which have shaped the technology talent discussion: The CIO Paradox: Battling the Contradictions of IT Leadership and Be the Business: CIOs in the New Era of IT. Martha’s weekly e-newsletter, The Heller Report, has become a must-read for the industry. She frequently speaks at noteworthy industry events and with the media about key technology leadership issues.

Prior to founding Heller, Martha led the IT Leadership practice at a global executive search firm. She received a B.A. from Hamilton College and an M.A. from SUNY Stony Brook University.

Ken Piddington
Chief Digital & Information Officer, Reladyne and member of the Quest Board of Directors
Co-Chair, Executive Programming Committee

As a transformational, business Technology Executive, Ken creates a strategic vision, positions to scale, and drives initiatives that enable high business growth. A strategist who builds deep trust within IT organizations, fostering collaborative environment focused on innovation and continuous improvement.

Ken is a change agent and CEO partner experienced in all business cycles, including high growth, business transformation, and M&A integration, with an entrepreneurial spirit. He leverages emerging technology across multi-industry verticals and consulting to accelerate profits.

As an award-winning thought leader, respected for game changing contributions and passion for talent development and customer satisfaction, Ken was the obvious choice to help Quest build this year’s Executive Forum program and serve as host to this high-powered program.

Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Smith
Deputy CIO, Getty Digital, J. Paul Getty Trust and member of the Quest Board of Directors
Co-Chair, Executive Programming Committee

An expert in strategic planning and execution, Liz specializes in digital transformation and leveraging emerging technologies to optimize digital asset utilization. Her skill set includes strategy development, negotiation, partnership cultivation, and seamless project implementation.

A seasoned leader with extensive experience in project management and IT, adept at aligning client needs with company objectives to drive success, Liz is known for a deep understanding of operational processes, digital portfolios, and fostering collaborative relationships across diverse business units, excelling in leading cross-functional teams and delivering impactful digital projects.

Liz currently oversees a team of 70+ professionals across Campus Technologies, Enterprise Applications, Data Analytics, Portfolio Project Management Office, and Infrastructure/Operations, and manages a $25M+ annual business unit budget and a $35M portfolio project budget.

Her leadership drives innovation, operational excellence, and measurable results in complex, dynamic environments.