The third day of the Global CIO Forum unfolded with a harmonious blend of mindfulness, cutting-edge technology insights, and leadership strategies designed to empower the world’s top CIOs. Following an eventful Day 2, attendees were treated to a series of impactful sessions that not only provided valuable knowledge but also facilitated personal growth and mental wellbeing.

Morning Session: Mental Wellbeing Program – An Inward Journey

The day commenced on a serene note with a Mental Wellbeing Program led by world-renowned Yoga Guru Sumit Manav. His session, titled “Mindful Meditation – An Inward Journey,” focused on nurturing mental wellbeing, a vital aspect for today’s leaders. In a world driven by fast-paced technological change, Sumit emphasized the importance of grounding oneself through mindfulness, enabling leaders to manage stress and maintain a sense of balance in their personal and professional lives. The participants were guided through meditation techniques aimed at fostering clarity and focus—qualities essential for navigating complex decision-making processes.

Breakfast & Networking

Following the wellbeing program, attendees gathered for breakfast and networking, sharing insights and fostering connections, paving the way for collaborations and discussions on emerging trends.

Day 3 Opening Remarks: Venkatesh Mahadevan

Venkatesh Mahadevan, CaaS, delivered an insightful opening address titled “Moving the Needle!” His presentation set the tone for the day, emphasizing the need for CIOs to become transformative leaders who drive innovation and change. Venkatesh discussed how strategic decisions can move entire industries forward, inspiring attendees to think beyond traditional boundaries.

Keynotes and Thought Leadership

The morning session featured a lineup of influential speakers sharing thought-provoking insights:

• Mohammed Abdul Hadi, Director of Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions at StorIT Distribution, delivered the Partner Keynote on behalf of Dell Technologies and StorIT, highlighting the future of enterprise infrastructure and the evolving role of technology in driving growth and operational efficiency.
• Aphiwe Qhama Menziwa, Founder of Tembisa Ratanga, took the stage with an inspiring talk titled “A Place of Hope,” where she shared the story of how her organization is transforming lives in disadvantaged communities, showcasing the power of technology in driving social change.
• Mayuresh Kothari, Technical Director at Secureworks, provided a Partner Keynote focusing on cybersecurity and the growing challenges of protecting digital ecosystems in an increasingly interconnected world.
• Jayakumar Mohanachandran, CRO of RaaS, shared his insights on “AI Foresights and Outlook 2024-25,”offering a glimpse into how artificial intelligence will shape industries and redefine the future of business. His foresight provided valuable context for CIOs as they plan for AI integration into their operations.

Technology and Innovation Presentations

The technological landscape took center stage as thought leaders shared groundbreaking insights:

• Gautam Nimmagadda, CEO of Quixy, introduced “The Power of No-Code Platforms for Seamless Applications.”His talk underscored the efficiency and agility that no-code platforms offer for businesses to rapidly develop and deploy applications, reducing dependency on traditional development cycles.
• Rajeev Dutt, General Manager of SwissGRC, followed with a session titled “GRC for Strategic Excellence and Operational Resilience,” shedding light on how governance, risk, and compliance solutions are integral to building resilient organizations.

Mental Wellbeing Revisited: Sumit Manav

Returning to center stage, Sumit Manav captivated the audience with a second session, “Your Path to Lifelong Wellbeing.” Building on his earlier meditation program, Sumit offered actionable tips for embedding mindfulness practices into daily routines, empowering leaders to achieve sustained mental clarity and physical vitality.

Partner Keynotes Continue

The last of the morning’s partner keynotes was delivered by Caryn Vos, Senior Manager of the Crypto Division at Altron, who discussed the future of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, emphasizing its potential impact on digital transactions and security.

Lunch and Networking

Participants then broke for a networking lunch, providing a relaxed environment for further discussions, idea sharing, and collaboration between industry leaders and experts.

Afternoon Session: Leadership Masterclass

The highlight of the afternoon was a Leadership Masterclass led by Haragopal Mangipudi, the founder of guNaka, renowned keynote speaker, and author. The session, specifically tailored for CIOs, delved deep into the complexities of modern leadership. Haragopal shared key strategies for driving organizational success in a rapidly evolving business landscape. His insights on aligning vision, fostering innovation, and creating a strong leadership presence resonated strongly with the audience, many of whom left with actionable takeaways for their leadership journeys.

Global CIO Forum Finale: Reflections and Future Outlook

The event concluded with a reflective session led by Anushree Dixit, Global Head at GEC Media Group, where she recapped the highlights of the forum and discussed the future outlook for the CIO community. Her talk served as a call to action for all attendees, inspiring them to implement the knowledge gained over the course of the forum to shape the future of their organizations.

Anushree also hosted the highly anticipated Day 2 Lucky Draw, adding an element of excitement to the closing moments of the event.

Departure and Travel to Cape Town

With the formal proceedings concluded, attendees prepared to depart from the hotel to catch their flight to Cape Town. This marked the beginning of the next chapter of their journey as leaders, armed with insights, connections, and strategies gained over the course of the Global CIO Forum.