The Knowledge ∞ Continuum is the Center for the Management of IT's (CMIT) signature event, providing opportunities for business + technology leaders and UVA alumni to network and learn from world-class speakers and best-selling authors.

This spring our daylong executive program was hosted at the UVA McIntire School of Commerce in Charlottesville on Friday, May 10, 2024.

Each attendee received a copy of all three featured books below—along with a special set of UVA CMIT-branded gifts.

The AI Playbook: Mastering the Rare Art of Machine Learning Deployment

TRANSFORMED: Moving to the Product Operating Model

Manipulated: Inside the Cyberwar to Hijack Elections and Distort the Truth (paperback release)

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Agenda at a Glance
8:30 a.m.    Arrive, check-in, enjoy breakfast and networking
9:30 a.m.    Welcome remarks with Ryan Nelson, Murray Family Eminent Professor & CMIT Director
9:35 a.m.  Eric Siegel Ph.D., Founder, Machine Learning Week
The AI Playbook: Mastering the Rare Art of Machine Learning Deployment
10:40 a.m.                  Coffee break
11 a.m.   Marty Cagan, Founder, Partner – Product, Silicon Valley Product Group
TRANSFORMED: Moving to the Product Operating Model (virtual engagement followed by interactive debrief)
11:45 a.m.    CMIT IT Leadership Award & CMIT Emerging Leader in IT Award presentations
Noon Networking luncheon featuring live demos with WillowTree
1:30 p.m.     Nick van der Meulen Ph.D., Research Scientist, MIT CISR
Resolving Workforce Skills Gaps with AI-Powered Insights (MIT CISR Research Briefing)
2:30 p.m. Coffee break
2:45 p.m.

Christopher Porter (A&S '98, M.S. in MIT '10), SVP & CISO, Fannie Mae
Gen AI - A CISO/Risk Executive's Perspective

Theresa Payton (M.S. in MIS '90), CEO, Fortalice Solutions
Manipulated: Inside the Cyberwar to Hijack Elections and Distort the Truth

3:45 p.m.    Closing remarks with Professor Ryan Nelson
4 p.m. Head home safely

Featured Speakers

Marty Cagan
Marty Cagan
Partner, Silicon Valley Product Group

Before founding the Silicon Valley Product Group to pursue his interests in helping others create successful products through his writing, speaking, advising and coaching, Marty Cagan served as an executive responsible for defining and building products for some of the most successful companies in the world, including HP Labs, Netscape Communications, and eBay. As part of his work with SVPG, Marty is an invited speaker at major conferences and top companies across the globe. Marty is also the author of the books INSPIRED: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love and EMPOWERED: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Products, and the just released TRANSFORMED: Moving to the Product Operating Model.

Ryan Nelson
Ryan Nelson
Murray Family Eminent Professor of Commerce and Director, Center for the Management of Information Technology

Professor Nelson is active in the undergraduate, graduate, and executive education programs at the McIntire School of Commerce. In 2014, he received an All-University Teaching Award from the University of Virginia, and in 2022, the annual Faculty Recognition Award from The Order of Claw & Dagger. He currently serves as the Director of the Center for the Management of Information Technology, a position he has held since the founding of CMIT in 1991. During his tenure at the McIntire School, he has also served as Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Program for five years, as Information Technology Area Coordinator for nine years, and as Director of the M.S. in MIT Program for 10 years.

Theresa Payton (MS MIS 1990)
Theresa Payton (MS MIS 1990)
CEO, Fortalice Solutions

Theresa Payton is the founder and CEO of Fortalice Solutions, a firm that advises Fortune 150 Boards and the C-suite on secured technology innovation and transformation programs that support businesses in providing seamless and elegant customer service. Fortalice is dedicated to ensuring that every business transformation journey places the customer at the center while delivering a secure and exceptional experience.  Theresa was the recipient of our Center's IT Leadership Award in 2021. Awardees are recognized for their leadership as innovators, pathfinders, and problem solvers in the management of information technology; Payton earned the award for leadership throughout her impressive career since graduating from UVA as part of the inaugural class of McIntire’s M.S. in MIS Program (later renamed as the M.S. in MIT) in 1990.
 

Christopher Porter (A&S 1998, MS MIT 2010)
Christopher Porter (A&S 1998, MS MIT 2010)
SVP & CISO, Fannie Mae

Christopher Porter is the SVP and CISO for Fannie Mae. In this role, he is responsible for maturing and innovating Fannie Mae's defense and response capabilities and communicating the importance of information security across the enterprise. Chris has over 20 years of experience in IT and security industries, his background includes work as an economist, network and system administrator, information security consultant and researcher. Chris has a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia. He also earned his master’s degree in Management of Information Technology from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce. Porter is also a member of the Board of Directors at the FAIR Institute and the Safe Housing Alliance. Porter is a father of three young boys, and a huge fan of UVA sports.

 

 

Eric Siegel
Eric Siegel
Founder, Machine Learning Week

Eric Siegel, Ph.D., is a leading consultant and former Columbia University professor who helps companies deploy machine learning. He is the founder of the long-running Machine Learning Week conference series and its new sister, Generative AI World, the instructor of the acclaimed online course “Machine Learning Leadership and Practice – End-to-End Mastery,” executive editor of The Machine Learning Times, and a frequent keynote speaker. He wrote the bestselling Predictive Analytics: The Power to Predict Who Will Click, Buy, Lie, or Die, which has been used in courses at hundreds of universities, as well as The AI Playbook: Mastering the Rare Art of Machine Learning Deployment. Eric’s interdisciplinary work bridges the stubborn technology/business gap.

Nick van der Meulen
Nick van der Meulen
Research Scientist, MIT CISR

Dr. Nick van der Meulen is a Research Scientist at the MIT Sloan Center for Information Systems Research (MIT CISR). He conducts academic research that targets the challenges of senior level executives at MIT CISR's member companies, with a specific interest in how companies need to organize themselves differently in the face of continuous technological change. His work on digital workplaces and the employee experience resulted in a range of academic and industry publications, in outlets such as the Journal of Information Technology, MIS Quarterly Executive, and the European Business Review. 

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Logistics and Getting Around

The Knowledge ∞ Continuum takes place at the McIntire School of Commerce, located at 140 Hospital Drive, in Rouss & Robertson Halls on the southeast end of the historic Lawn at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.  

Lodging: For attendees coming from out of town, suggested hotels and booking links are available here

Parking: Visitors to the McIntire School can park in the Central Grounds Parking Garage, adjacent to the UVA Bookstore, a 10-minute walk to Rouss & Robertson Halls. 

Continuing education credits (CEUs) are available.

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Knowledge ∞ Continuum Pullovers

Purchase a quarter-zip pullover branded with our unique Knowledge ∞ Continuum logo during event registration. Orders placed after April 20 may not be available onsite during the May 10 event.  In that case, we will ship to your home in June.

The sport tek stretch quarter-zip pullover is extremely flexible, with a soft-brushed backing and moisture control for year-round comfort and runs true to size. This tag-free product is incredibly popular with our M.S. MIT students and faculty.

Past Events

2024 Knowledge ∞ Continuum: NoVA

On Friday, January 12, 2024, McIntire held a Knowledge ∞ Continuum event in Valo Park in Tysons Corner, Virginia; the event featured two compelling topics: Escaping the Build Trap with Melissa Perri, and Data Monetization with Barb Wixom.

2023 Knowledge ∞ Continuum: AI in Practice

On October 20, 2023, in conjunction with the McIntire School’s Fall Forum “The AI Revolution: Exploring Possibilities & Challenges,” the Center for the Management of IT hosted a special edition of the Knowledge Continuum on “AI in Practice.”

2023 Knowledge ∞ Continuum

The 2023 Knowledge ∞ Continuum was held at the McIntire School of Commerce in Charlottesville on Friday, May 10.