From smart speakers to self-driving cars, AI has permeated our lives and has the power to transform roles and unlock new economic value across sectors. Responsibly unleashing the power of AI is critical to take ideas from innovation to economic impact.
Join Kathy Kay, executive vice president and chief information officer at Principal Financial Group and Chair of the TAI Board of Directors and Paul Hlivko, executive vice president, chief information and digital officer at Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and member of the TAI Board of Directors, as they share how AI will shape the future of our industries and the role technology leaders must have in creating the next generation of AI-powered organizations and talent.
As executive vice president, chief information and digital officer, Paul Hlivko leads Wellmark’s Technology teams. In this role, Hlivko provides transformational leadership and strategy to create exceptional value and experiences for our members and company through innovative, effective and secure use of technology.
Prior to joining Wellmark, Hlivko served as senior vice president and managing director of technology, digital, and innovation at First Niagara Financial Group. He led First Niagara’s strategic program to deliver the corporation’s new operating model and underlying technology transformation. He has held various technology leadership roles at National City Corporation and PNC Financial Services and founded two startups — a digital imaging company and an internet technology consulting business. Hlivko is a member of the Board of Directors of the Technology Association of Iowa, Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity and Des Moines Performing Arts. He earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Mount Union College and his Master of Business Administration from Sloan at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), anticipated in May 2024.
Kathy Kay is executive vice president and chief information officer of Principal Financial Group®. She is responsible for overseeing the company’s global technology and digital strategies, its IT and digital operations, and innovation that supports current and future business needs. Kay joined Principal in May 2020. She has over 25 years of cross-industry experience in IT leadership. She most recently led the information technology business at Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), including the company’s mission-critical systems and the development of the company’s technology strategy, infrastructure, and architecture. She also held leadership positions with General Motors, Comerica, and SunTrust.
Kay is on the board of directors of the Principal Chile Board. She serves on the boards of Mechdyne, Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, the Technology Association of Iowa, and Governors STEM Advisory Board. She earned a master’s degree in engineering science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Wayne State University.
Jenni Ross is the director of experience strategy and design at Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield. She leads the company’s digital services delivery and customer experience teams to create positive omnichannel experiences for Wellmark’s members, providers, clients, and employees. Notably, she established Wellmark’s first-ever UX Design Team. Jenni is passionate about advancing diversity, equity and inclusion and is an active member of the Wellmark Inclusion Council.
Jenni has almost a decade of experience in product management, data analytics and design. Before joining Wellmark, she served as director of product management and UX at Redbox. Additionally, she has consulted for Fortune 500 companies, non-profits and industry associations with Centralis.
Jenni holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Loyola University Chicago, a Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction from DePaul University and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Iowa.
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