Purpose
The CIO Initiative, being part of The Executive Initiative, is designed to foster a community where Chief Information Officers and IT leaders can engage in deep, strategic discussions about the future of technology and leadership within their organizations. It aims to provide a collaborative environment for sharing insights, challenges, and best practices, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of IT governance and driving innovation across industries. This initiative stands as a unique platform for C-level executives to collectively navigate the evolving digital landscape and leverage collective intelligence to address complex industry challenges.
Who We Are
Mark S. Blanke – CEO of The Executive Initiative
Mark S. Blanke is a forward-thinking executive with over thirty-five years of experience, deeply involved in shaping the future of IT, leadership, and innovation. Through his leadership roles and as a speaker and contributing author, Mark actively influences the IT landscape, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration among C-level executives. His career is marked by strategic roles advising CIOs across various industries, including insurance, financial services, and healthcare. As the President of Blanke Advisors LLC, Mark continues to shape the future of IT service management and IT Governance.
Mark, the visionary behind The Executive Initiative, has expanded his leadership influence by integrating the CIO Initiative and introducing the CISO Initiative Summits under this comprehensive platform. Since 2017, Mark has been at the forefront of the CIO Initiative, leading summits that have become essential for IT leadership dialogue and development. The Executive Initiative serves as a broader umbrella, enhancing collaborative opportunities for C-level executives to navigate and influence the future of IT, leadership, and innovation across industries.
Nina Di Francisco – Executive Director of The Executive Initiative
Nina Di Francisco is an experienced director with a demonstrated history of over 20 years in the information technology and services industry. In her role as the Executive Director of The Executive Initiative, Nina oversees all programs, including the CIO Initiative and CISO Initiative summits. She also serves as an Ambassador for CIO Whisperers, a podcast designed to champion CIOs, empower their teams, and influence the next generation of technology leaders.
Nina has spent over two decades working closely with CIOs, holding various leadership positions that have shaped her expertise in IT leadership and strategic guidance. She served as President of Premier Connects for 15 years, where she led CIO Forums nationwide and held several other influential roles. For two years, she collaborated side-by-side with CIOs as Director at Info-Tech Research Group. Before her current position, she was the Executive Director for InspireCIO, overseeing the Colorado and SoCal Chapters.
Nina graduated from the RLF SIM Leadership program in 2014 as the youngest student to ever receive a certificate. She was an early member of the Board for both the SIM SIG Cybersecurity and the SIM SIG Mentorship Programs for SIM International. Nina has also dedicated her time to volunteering on the Ambassador’s Board for the non-profit, The Children’s Book Bank, and supporting The Boy Scouts of America.
When Nina isn’t working, she loves exploring new places and cultures with her son and husband.