Leaders play a critical role in creating the right culture and the right environment for innovation to flourish. To grow more predictably and survive in today’s digitally disruptive economy, we need to build a culture of innovation. Innovation reduces costs, improves quality, improves team motivation and retention, and delivers more value. Innovation is critical to maintain and grow market presence and requires an agile approach, with in-flight adjustments that keep the program on track with changing conditions.

Leadership Forum provides an excellent opportunity to mid-level and senior leaders with tangible information and insights that can be applied to the company’s organizations, making them more effective at delivering value. Come and join us to learn the latest concepts, strategies and experiences on innovation from other Chicagoland leaders.

Don't miss this engaging opportunity to meet with fellow project management leaders and gather industry knowledge and inspiration from each other. This is an excellent platform to hear experiences from innovative leaders and learn how they dealt with their unique situation. Networking with peers helps build relationships and get feedback & ideas, learn new concepts and practical tactics which allowed them to drive change more effectively.

Ziegler holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and received a B.A. in economics from The Ohio State University, where she graduated with distinction. She is a member of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, and the Museum of Science and Industry Boards of Directors and an advisor and investor in many young technology companies.  

Laszlo is a recognized senior executive with thirty years of progressive experience in business and information technology. He is responsible for helping organizations – corporate and nonprofit alike – navigate the digital frontier, advising clients on cybersecurity, IT risk mitigation, and building digital technology strategies that drive both performance and business value. He has experience across several industries, consulting for senior executives and boards, developing cybersecurity strategies, evaluating IT risk, and spearheading critical security and transformation projects for senior leadership. Laszlo’s areas of expertiser include healthcare, manufacturing, mining, legal, insurance, marketing, advertising and banking. Laszlo is a member of the Forbes Technology Council, PEER150, and sits on a number of nonprofit and professional advisory boards. He served as Chair of the Project Management Institute (PMI) Chicagoland Executive Council, Executive Vice President for the Chicago chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP), and is a Board Member for both the Society for Information Management (SIM) Chicago and the ISACA Chicago Chapter (ISACA). Laszlo is a member of Chicago FBI Infragard and Information Systems Security Association (ISSA). .

Whitney McGinnis is a Senior Director for McDonald’s Corporation and loves using technology to solve complex operational challenges at scale. She considers herself lucky to have had an exciting and diverse career at McDonald’s, where she has spent the last 19 years.  She enjoys getting the chance to learn new areas of the business through a technology lens and has spent time supporting most of the major business functions in McDonald’s, including marketing, operations, business insights and corporate departments. Over the course of her career she has taken on increasingly complex roles, including leading the transformation and deployment of McDonald’s eCommerce Platform to 20,000 stores. Most recently Whitney has established the Product Capabilities and Innovation Team, which is implementing cutting edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation.  Whitney has two kids, Bennett (9) and Haley (11) who keep her days busy and fun!  She feels most proud when she gets to connect work and family and see her kids use technology she worked on.