Lead with Intention at Taste of IT 2025

Goodwin, Valencia, and Rike Set to Discuss Leadership and Culture 

A thriving company culture doesn’t happen by accident. It is built through deliberate action, clear communication, and a leadership team committed to its people. When culture aligns with strategic goals, teams are empowered to innovate, collaborate, and drive meaningful results. This is especially true in IT, where the right environment can be the difference between a team that simply maintains systems and one that propels the entire business forward. 

At the upcoming Taste of IT Conference, hosted by Technology First, ATC CEO David Goodwin will lead an interactive breakout session titled, “Lead with Intention: Culture that Moves, IT Teams that Thrive,” This session will offer a deep dive into building a culture that empowers IT teams to excel. 

Valencia and Rike on Leadership and Culture 

Goodwin will be joined by two local technology leaders: Devon Valencia, CIO of CareSource, and Jon Rike, CIO of the City of Dayton. Together, this panel, part of the Leadership & Culture track, will provide a dynamic and multi-faceted discussion on the power of intentional leadership. 

“Building a strong IT team starts with being intentional about the culture you create,” says David Goodwin. “Leadership isn’t just about setting goals—it’s about shaping an environment where people can do their best work every day. I’m excited to be joined by technology leaders like Devon and Jon. Their experience and insight will undoubtedly enrich this session.”

Interactive Session with Audience Participation 

This is an interactive opportunity, where attendees will be encouraged to participate from the start, ask questions, and engage with seasoned leaders. Attendees will benefit from the diverse perspectives of leaders in technology services, healthcare, and government. Leaders who have successfully cultivated strong cultures while encountering the daily challenges and opportunities faced by IT teams. 

Goodwin will encourage early participation by handing one of four books to the first four audience members who ask a question. They include: 

• What Got You Here, Won’t Get You There, Marshall Goldsmith 
• Who Moved My Cheese, Spencer Johnson 
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey 
• Mindset – The New Psychology of Success, Carol S. Dweck 

Key discussion points during the session include: 

• Aligning Culture with Strategy: Ensure your company culture actively supports your business objectives. The panel will discuss cultural alignments and misalignments, why they matter, and methods for implementing changes that create synergy between an organization’s team and the company’s vision. 
• Fostering True Collaboration: A great culture breaks down silos. Learn proven techniques for encouraging open communication, transparency, and cross-functional teamwork. The speakers will share how to create an environment where collaboration is the norm, not the exception. 
• Embracing Continuous Improvement: Technology and business needs are constantly changing. This session will cover how to instill a mindset of continuous improvement within your IT teams, empowering them to adapt, learn, and innovate proactively, and where respectful differences of opinion are healthy. 

The session promises a rich dialogue filled with real-world examples and practical advice for leaders at every level.  

Session Details: 

• Title: Lead with Intention: Culture that Moves, IT Teams that Thrive 
• Track: Leadership & Culture 
• Time: 3:10 p.m. 

Visit ATC at Taste of IT 

ATC will be exhibiting at Taste of IT with CyberMaxx and will also be presenting as part of the cybersecurity track. The Taste of IT Conference, now sold out, is the region’s premier event for technology professionals, offering a full day of learning, networking, and innovation.