Iowa
Technology
Summit
INNOVATION TRACK
The Next Era of Innovation
APR. 7 / 11:25 AM - 12:15 PM / AUDIENCE-DRIVEN PANEL
About
What does it take to build innovation that lasts?
Over the next five years, organizations will need to rethink how innovation happens—shifting from isolated initiatives to shared responsibility across teams. In this executive panel, leaders will discuss their evolving approach to innovation, with a focus on talent development, technology investment, and the growing importance of strategic partnerships.
Takeaways
Panelists will explore how skill expectations are changing, how technology development is accelerating, and how innovation is becoming a true team sport across the enterprise. Attendees will gain clarity on the innovation priorities shaping the future—and what those priorities mean for technologists at every career stage.
Panelists
Debbie Dean
Vice President, Health Analytics Solutions
General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT)
Debbie Dean is the Vice President of Health Analytics Solutions at GDIT. In this role, she oversees a broad portfolio of Federal health information technology and analytics initiatives across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She is responsible for program operations and growth strategy, federal contract oversight, business development, and industry partnerships. Debbie leads multidisciplinary teams comprised of more than 200+ data scientists, IT professionals, analysts, and program specialists supporting some of the Government’s largest high priority health IT initiatives in the country, including healthcare quality reporting and advanced analytics programs. Debbie specializes in innovative analytic solutions, health data storytelling and communication insights to drive organic and strategic growth of complex, multi-stakeholder programs.
Kim Huffman
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Workiva
Kim Huffman is the Chief Information Officer at Workiva, leading the Business Technology organization, including Business Systems, PMO, Architecture, Data & Analytics, and Operations & Support. She brings more than 20 years of experience building and scaling technology organizations and leading business transformation. Kim ensures Workiva’s technology capabilities empower employees to deliver world-class products and services to customers and partners.
Kim has held technical leadership roles at both pre-IPO and public technology companies, including SAP, Adobe, HealthEquity, TripActions (Navan), and Elastic. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Business Administration from the University of Southern California and an MBA in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. She is also a founding member of firstboard.io, an organization dedicated to increasing the representation of women on boards.
Kirstin Slepicka
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Kirstin Slepicka leads enterprise technology strategy at Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, driving innovation across architecture, engineering, data products, API platforms and cloud services. With more than 25 years of experience, she is recognized for building high-performing global teams and championing responsible AI adoption to enhance decision-making and operational resilience.
Before joining Wellmark in December 2025, Slepicka held technology leadership roles at H&R Block and Accenture. She holds degrees in financial management and economics from Kansas State University and actively supports the Des Moines tech community.
MODERATOR
Tyler Wyngarden
Vice President of Strategic Partnerships
Technology Association of Iowa (TAI)
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