Join us for a dynamic, full-day clinic designed exclusively for K-12 Chief Technology Officers and district technology leaders. Whether you're just starting your CTO journey or bringing decades of experience, this interactive event offers a powerful blend of expert insights, peer collaboration, and practical tools tailored to your evolving role. Engage in candid conversations, explore solutions to real-world challenges, and leave with actionable strategies to lead confidently in the education landscape.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton Garden Inn - Albany Airport or call 1-800-445-8667 and ask for the CTO Clinic rate Dates: Sep 29 - Sep 30, 2025 Rates: USD 149.00 + Tax
Building Strong Partnerships to Protect Student Data Join NYSED's Chief Privacy Officer for a discussion of the ongoing collaborative work happening across the State to promote and protect student data privacy. Topics will include data incidents, parent privacy complaints, vendor management, and data governance.
Whitney Braunlin, Esq. was appointed as Chief Privacy Officer for the New York State Education Department in July 2025. Ms. Braunlin brings a wealth of legal experience to the role, having served as a judicial clerk for the Appellate Division, Third Department, and the New York Court of Appeals. Since joining NYSED’s Office of Counsel in 2018, she has provided expert guidance to key program offices, led a team of attorneys, and managed administrative appeals. As Chief Privacy Officer, Ms. Braunlin oversees critical matters related to student privacy and data security.
Strategic Security Leadership: Building a Culture of Safety in K–12 Education Based on Information Security: Strategic Planning for Schools, this session prepares CTOs to lead the transformation of K–12 school districts into resilient, security-aware organizations. As student data and critical systems face increasing threats, technology leaders must establish governance structures that embed cybersecurity into the district’s strategic core. CTOs will leave with a strategic roadmap for establishing a cybersecurity governance framework that protects current students and systems while setting a lasting standard of excellence for future generations.
Dr. Jeff Cimmerer, certified CISO of Human Intelligence Data Solutions LLC, has over 27 years of experience in data privacy and information security. His career includes successful roles as a teacher, CIO, DPO, and Technology Director, where he has significantly impacted K-12 education through technological innovation. Holding an EdD from the University of Rochester, Dr. Cimmerer has also served as an adjunct professor, sharing his expertise with future leaders.
Unlocking the Future: The Impact of Superintelligence on U.S. Public Schools This presentation, "Unlocking the Future: The Impact of Superintelligence on U.S. Public Schools," outlines the transformative potential of superintelligence in education. It addresses current technological challenges in K-12 schools, proposes strategic opportunities for technology leaders, and provides a roadmap for implementing AI systems to enhance student achievement. The presentation emphasizes infrastructure readiness, data governance, workforce development, and ethical AI implementation, drawing on early adopter success stories and outlining a phased approach for integrating superintelligent systems.
Bhargav Vyas, Ed.D. is an accomplished professional with a wealth of experience and qualifications in the field of educational technology and information systems. Currently serving as the Assistant Superintendent for Compliance and Information Systems at Monroe-Woodbury Central School District, he provides exceptional leadership for the ongoing development of an innovative, robust, and secure information technology environment. With over 25 years of experience as a pioneer educational technology leader, Bhargav has worked closely with classroom teachers, principals, and district administrators to ensure the best technology integration in teaching and learning processes, financial planning and utilizing state-of-the-art infrastructure. His expertise spans across various domains, including network infrastructure, cyber security, district leadership, and supporting students and staff. Prior to his current position, Bhargav held the role of director of technology for Orange-Ulster BOCES, where he successfully managed network infrastructure across 25 school districts. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Fordham University, along with multiple master’s degrees and a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
The Digital Bridge: Forging a Powerful Superintendent-CTO Partnership In today's digitally-driven educational landscape, the synergy between the Superintendent and the CTO is more critical than ever. This session explores the key characteristics of a successful leadership team. We will delve into strategies for building a shared vision, fostering clear communication, and aligning technology initiatives with district-wide goals. Join us to learn how to strengthen your role as a strategic partner in district leadership.
Serving as Superintendent since 2005, Dr. Donna DeSiato has extensive experience in leading transformative efforts in education and workforce development. Dr. DeSiato’s initiatives include developing innovative STEM pathways in collaboration with top institutions and collaborative organizations like SUNY ESF, Syracuse University and STEM Ecosystems. Under her leadership ESM launched the Spartan Academy, an Early College High School, and pioneered one of New York’s first Aviation Career & Technical Education Pathways. Recognized Nationally for her work, she was awarded the 2015 Margaret Ashida STEM Leadership Award and named New York State School Superintendent of the Year in 2022. Dr. DeSiato’s vision for education extends to preparing students for a rapidly evolving global workforce, and her leadership has earned her a seat on the MICRON Community Engagement Committee. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Syracuse University and is currently President of the NYS Council of School Superintendents.
Kieran O’Connor has served as the Executive Director of Planning, Development & Technology for East Syracuse Minoa Schools since 2008. Prior to this role, he worked at Cortland City Schools as the Director of Technology and began his career there as an 8th and 9th grade social studies teacher in 1990.
Navigating the Noise: How the MS-ISAC Helps You Cut Through the Clutter In a world flooded with cyber alerts, headlines, and hype, knowing where to focus can be half the battle. This session offers a clear path forward, showing how the MS-ISAC services help members cut through the noise and take meaningful action. From prioritized threat intelligence to proactive services and community-driven insights, we’ll explore how the MS-ISAC empowers you to move from reactive to ready.
Brendan Montagne is the Manager of Member Engagement for the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center™ (MS-ISAC®), a division of the Center for Internet Security, Inc.®. He is a member of the Stakeholder Engagement team, which works with our nation’s State, Local, Territorial, and Tribal (SLTT) governments and public education institutions to provide cybersecurity resources and services to strengthen their cybersecurity posture.
