Creating the Conditions for Innovation: IT, Culture, and Belonging

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | 3:30PM–4:15PM MT
Session Type: Breakout Session
Delivery Format: Panel Session
As institutions pursue digital transformation, IT organizations are increasingly positioned not just as service providers, but as catalysts for innovation. Creating the conditions for innovation requires more than technology—it depends on cultures of trust, belonging, and community that enable collaboration and creativity. This session explores how IT leaders are intentionally designing environments—both cultural and organizational—that support engagement and innovation. Panelists will share strategies that include cross-campus partnerships, participation in institutional belonging initiatives, and the development of inclusive spaces that strengthen connection and collaboration. Examples will illustrate how these efforts contribute to organizational effectiveness and support sustained transformation. Participants will examine the relationship between belonging, psychological safety, and innovation, and will gain practical approaches for building cultures that enable change. The session will provide transferable strategies for IT organizations seeking to strengthen engagement, build trust, and create the conditions necessary for innovation to thrive.

Presenters

  • Sherri Braxton Castanzo

    Deputy CIO for Digital Innovation, Bowdoin College

  • Darice Corey

    Senior Director, Web and IT Planning, Yale College, Yale University

  • Mark Davis Jr.

    Associate Chief Information Technology Officer, Swarthmore College

  • Nhora Serrano

    Director of Academic Tech, Teaching & Research, Hamilton College

  • Felix Zuniga

    Campus Engagement Partner, California State University, Office of the Chancellor