i.c.stars |* TechBash 2026
Tuesday, November 17th, 2025 5:30 PM VIP Reception | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Event
Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL
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TechBash 2026: Where Art Meets Tech—and Connections Come to Life.
This year at a new venue- Zhoa B Art Center!
Join us for evening of connection- bringing together Chicago’s technology leaders, emerging talent, alumni, and community partners for an experience built around creativity and innovation.
You’ll meet rising i.c.stars interns — the next generation of tech talent — and network with CIOs and senior tech leaders from Chicago’s most influential companies.
In addition to interactive exhibits, IT Leaders will be cohosting a unique “speed networking” station. You won’t want to miss it.
Contact Sarah at scook@icstars.org for information about investing in i.c.stars mission by sponsoring a speed networking station with a CIO, the TechBash Open Bar, or memorable CIO Gift.
Check out our VIP Networking Session Hosts: (More to be announced in the coming weeks)
- Shakeef Abubaker, Practice Group Leader, ZUMITIN Inc.
- Neal Bloomfield, Executive Director, Commercial Systems, Baxter International
- Gopinath Cataram, Head of Corporate Systems, William Blair
- Julianna Cole, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners
- Kelly Coomer, Chief Information Officer, Kemper
- Katie Dowling, Head of Global Technology, Delivery and Operations, Morningstar
- Dean Haacker, Founder & President, Highland Grove Partners
- Lamar Heller, Sr Director, IT, Security, and DevOps, SPINS
- Darin Hurd, EVP and Chief Information Security Officer, Guaranteed Rate
- Jack King, CIO, American College of Surgeons
- Michael Lambert, SVP, Chief Technology Officer and Director Research & Development, Wintrust Financial Corporation
- Michael Limjoco, SVP Business Line Information Systems, Corporate, Wintrust Financial
- Maxim McCoy, Senior Manager IT – Security & Business Continuity, ALDI USA
- Scott Oliver, CIO, Nationwide Acceptance LLC
- Brian Palmer, Director of IT, Ventas Inc.
- Jack Recinto, Director of Applications, Ice Miller LLP
- Raj Sampoornam, Senior Vice President & CIO, Byline Bank
- Rod Warren, Deputy CIO – Head of IT Delivery, City of Chicago