On March 18th and 19th, an elite group of digital and technology executives from around the world gathered at the iconic Crescent Court in Dallas, TX for the Metis Strategy Technology Leadership Institute—a two-day, immersive experience designed to help high-performing leaders navigate the leap from execution to enterprise leadership. Executives from leading companies such as NRG Energy, Lenovo, Nationwide, Marriott International, ConocoPhillips, Union Pacific, Zurich, Cigna, Land O’ Lakes, and Ally came together to sharpen their leadership skills and expand their professional networks.
“What got you here won’t get you there.” That was the central theme echoed by Michael Bertha, Partner and Central Office Lead at Metis Strategy, as he addressed the cohort. “Many of these executives have built their careers on exceptional delivery—being in the trenches and driving results. But the skills that got them to this level aren’t necessarily the ones that will propel them into the C-suite.”
For senior technology leaders eyeing the top chair—CIO, CTO, CDO—there is no predefined playbook or certification that guarantees success. Chris Davis, Partner and West Office Lead, put it plainly: “There’s no MBA for making the leap from VP to the C-suite. Our Technology Leadership Institute provides a structured framework to help these executives craft a tailored plan for their ascent.”
Over two days, participants engaged in hands-on, collaborative sessions covering key leadership dimensions critical for rising executives. The goal? To build a personalized development roadmap that blends strategic acumen, executive presence, and business impact. The curriculum tackled:
But content alone wasn’t the defining factor of the experience—it was the relationships built along the way.
“No one succeeds in isolation. Every leader has blind spots, and those who advance know how to surround themselves with the right people,” said Alex Kraus, Partner and East Coast Office Lead.
To that end, the Institute wasn’t just about skill-building—it was about network-building. Participants openly shared their biggest development areas and identified peers in the cohort who excelled in those domains, forming personal advisory networks designed to last well beyond the event.
The bonds formed extended beyond the workshop sessions. On the first evening, participants gathered for a sushi dinner at Nobu, where conversations flowed from leadership challenges to industry trends, and even a few lighthearted debates over the best sashimi on the table. “The magic happens when the formal learning stops,” said one executive. “It’s in these moments—over dinner, sharing stories—that you realize you’re surrounded by people who truly get it.”
As the two-day experience wrapped up, executives walked away not just with a roadmap for advancement, but with a trusted circle of peers—a support system of high-caliber leaders ready to help each other navigate the next stage of their careers.
For those looking to make the leap, the message was clear: success in the C-suite isn’t just about what you know—it’s about how you lead, who you learn from, and how you create impact beyond IT.
