June 9 - June 13, 2025
The Venetian | Las Vegas, NV
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Quest Executive Forum
Thriving in the Age of Accelerated Innovation
Monday, June 9th, 12:30 – 6:00 PM
About the Executive Forum:
The 2025 Quest Executive Forum is a half-day pre-conference program tailored for director, VP and C-Suite leaders using Oracle ERP applications—JD Edwards, PeopleSoft, and Oracle Cloud Apps. This event addresses the dual challenges of driving technological innovation and preparing teams to thrive in rapidly changing environments while providing participants with an opportunity for rich conversation and connection with other JD Edwards, PeopleSoft and Cloud business leaders.
Program Overview
The pace of technological innovation is relentless, requiring IT leaders to not only adapt their systems but also prepare their teams to succeed in this dynamic landscape. Leaders using Oracle ERP applications must evaluate new functionalities, embrace emerging technologies like AI, and build a culture of agility—while ensuring their people are ready for what comes next. The challenge isn’t just about adopting innovation but about empowering teams to thrive within it.
To succeed in this environment, IT and business leaders need more than technical solutions—they need strategies for preparing their people. This includes fostering a growth mindset, upskilling teams, and instilling a culture of continuous improvement. Leaders must also navigate the complexities of change management and create environments where collaboration and adaptability can flourish.
The 2025 Quest Executive Forum addresses these challenges directly. It begins with a keynote from an industry expert offering insights into trends and tools for navigating accelerated innovation. Attendees then engage in breakout discussions that emphasize practical approaches for preparing teams—how to build agility, upskill employees, and foster collaboration. The program concludes with a panel of leaders sharing real-world examples of empowering their people to thrive amid change, followed by a cocktail reception. This half-day event equips attendees with the knowledge and the network to help their teams and organizations succeed in today’s fast-paced environment.
Program Info
Date:
Monday, June 9th
Time:
12:30 – 6:00 PM
Cost:
$295
Seats are limited, sign up today!
NOTE: To register for the Executive Forum, please check the ‘Executive Forum’ option during the BLUEPRINT 4D regular registration process. An individual BLUEPRINT 4D registration is required for Executive Forum participation.
*Participation is open to all BLUEPRINT 4D customer attendees with a title of Director or above.
Questions? Contact [email protected]
Executive Forum Agenda
Monday, June 9th, 12:30 – 6:00 PM
12:30 – 1:15 PM
Executive Forum Check-in
1:15 PM
Welcome to the Executive Forum
1:30 PM
Opening Session: Industry Expert Lecture
Navigating the Future: Thriving Amid Accelerated Innovation
2:30 PM
Roundtable Discussions
Thriving Together: Breakout Discussions on Leadership and Innovation
Topics: Leadership in ERP Strategy, Building an Agile Workforce, Collaboration Across Teams, Challenges in Change Leadership, The Future of Work and Empowering Decision-Making Through Data and Insights
3:30 – 3:45 PM
Break
3:45 – 4:45 PM
Executive Panel Discussion
Thriving IT Teams in Action: Insights from the Frontlines of Innovation
4:45 – 5:00 PM
Closing Remarks
5:00 – 6:00 PM
Cocktail Reception & Networking
Session Details
Opening Session & Industry Expert Lecture
Emerging skillsets in the Age of AI
Presented by:
Martha Heller, Chief Executive Officer, Heller
The surge in AI investments across large enterprises presents leaders with a new twist on old challenges. Business engagement, board influence, team development, and change management become even more crucial when “FOMO AI” enters the corporate consciousness.
But while this wave of technological exuberance introduces significant challenges, it also drives the creation of new skillsets, approaches to team leadership, and career opportunities – both at the executive management and board levels. CEOs are adding new AI focused executive positions, and boards are actively seeking different director profiles.
How are careers evolving in the age of AI? What new skills must leaders develop to lead their businesses into the future? What steps should executives take now to ensure their careers thrive as “turning data to value” takes center stage?
Attendees Will Learn:
- The new leadership skills required in an AI driven world.
- New approaches to team leadership to drive “data democratization”
- The current “state of the state” in how companies are defining AI use cases with a real ROI.
Join Martha Heller, CEO of the tech executive search firm Heller, for a dynamic and engaging discussion about the impact of AI on the CIO career.
Roundtable Discussion Break-outs
Thriving Together: Breakout Discussions on Leadership and Innovation
In an era of accelerated innovation, IT leaders must navigate complex challenges while preparing their organizations and teams to thrive. This interactive session brings together Oracle ERP users to engage in small-group discussions on the critical issues shaping the future of IT leadership and workforce agility.
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.
This session provides an unparalleled opportunity to connect with like-minded leaders, exchange experiences, and co-create actionable solutions to shared challenges. Attendees will leave with new perspectives and tangible ideas to bring back to their organizations.
Panel Discussion
Thriving IT Teams in Action: Insights from the Frontlines
Presented by:
Ken Piddington, Chief Digital & Information Officer, Reladyne
In the face of rapid technological advancements and evolving business demands, IT leaders must navigate a complex landscape of change and opportunity. This engaging panel session brings together 3-4 seasoned leaders from organizations successfully leveraging Oracle ERP solutions to thrive in an era of accelerated innovation, covering topics like AI, fostering agility, strategic decision making, people development and more.
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.
This session provides a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from industry experts who have walked the path of transformation. Attendees will leave inspired and equipped with strategies to lead their teams and organizations into the future with confidence.
Executive Forum Keynote Speaker
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.
Executive Forum Hosts
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.
Contact us
Registration
Presenters
Exhibitors & Sponsors
Ken Piddington
CIO
US Silica
Education, Leadership & Affiliations
- BS in Business, Management & Leadership, Northeastern University
- Serves on multiple boards, including Energy Institute High School and the Quest Oracle User Community
- Program Mentor, Columbia University Masters Technology Management
- 2022 Houston CIO of the Year Orbie award winner
Professional Biography
Ken Piddington is a transformational, global business technology executive who creates a strategic vision and mission, positioning to scale, and driving initiatives that enable high business growth. Strategist who builds deep trust within IT organization, fostering collaborative, open, and trusting environment focused on problem-solving, innovation, and continuous improvement. Ken is an innovative change agent and CEO partner with a strong legacy in all business cycles, including high growth, business transformation, mergers and acquisitions integration, and an entrepreneurial spirit. He is a strategic business partner who leverages emerging technology solutions across multi-industry verticals – logistics, retail, manufacturing, oil and gas, and consulting to accelerate the pace of bottom-line results. As an award-winning thought leader and published author, he is respected for game changing industry contributions, and his passion for talent development and customer satisfaction.
Currently, Ken leads as the Vice President and CIO at U.S. Silica. He is responsible for defining and executing its business technology strategy and leading its digital transformation initiatives.
Ken previously served as CIO for Global Partners LP, SGR Energy, and MRE Consulting. At each company, he contributed to tremendous growth and transformation. He actively participated in Global Partners’ revenue growth from $6 billion to $20 billion in four years. SGR Energy had 1700% revenue growth, and the company was named Houston’s fastest-growing privately held company by the Houston Business Journal. While at MRE, Ken turned an internal project into a marketable, adding a new revenue stream for the company.
Ken serves on the Quest Oracle User Community’s board of directors and is a board member with the Friends of Energy Institute, supporting the Energy Institute High School. Ken is also an Advisory Board member for the CIO Executive Council and a mentor in their leadership development program.
In 2022 Ken received the Houston CIO of the Year Orbie award. He has been named a Computerworld Premier 100 Technology leader, is a CIO100 award winner, and has twice been recognized as an InformationWeek 500 Top Technology Innovator. Ken is recognized as an industry thought leader, a regular speaker at business and association conferences, and featured in multiple media publications.
Ken holds a Bachelor of Science in Management & Leadership from Northeastern University and attended Graceland College, where he played football and baseball. Today, Ken makes Houston, Texas, his home.