Volunteerism and Leadership: Lessons from SIM Detroit’s RISE and SOAR CIO Fireside Chat

Volunteerism and “pay-it-forward” values are the heart of SIM Detroit’s RISE and SOAR mentoring programs, instilling a sense of purpose through community giveback. These programs teach mentees that impactful leadership extends beyond the workplace, with SIM Detroit members and tech executives leading by example. By investing in the next generation of tech leaders, mentors embody the pay-it-forward ethos, and July’s CIO Fireside Chat delivered profound insights for program participants.

Moderated by Kalpana Yendluri , Director of Emerging Technologies at Great Lakes Water Authority, the 2025 panel—featuring Elizabeth Klee (Vice Chancellor for Information Technologies and CIO, Oakland Community College), Jim Beechey (Vice President, IT and Security and CIO, CMS Energy), Kevin Johnson (Vice President and CIO, Clarience Technologies), and Todd Loiselle (CIO, National Food Group)—shared their journeys, lessons, and strategies for success, offering mentees a roadmap for growth.

Navigating Diverse Career Paths to Success

The discussion began with panelists sharing their unique journeys to leadership. Elizabeth Klee, starting at Accenture, emphasized aligning work with organizational goals and uniting diverse teams. Jim Beechey, with roots in higher education, advocated for embracing broad responsibilities and tailoring strategies to organizational needs, shaped by a cybersecurity mentor. Kevin Johnson, who transitioned from finance to software development after a pivotal conversation, leveraged his mid-size company experience at HoMedics Inc. to deliver impactful IT solutions. Todd Loiselle, beginning at Arthur Anderson, developed a strong work ethic and learned to lead with influence despite lacking formal authority.

Key takeaway: Adaptability, mentorship, and strategic alignment are cornerstones of IT leadership success.

The Power of Mentorship

Mentorship, a core pillar of RISE and SOAR, was a focal point, with panelists reflecting on its transformative impact. Johnson, deeply engaged in Detroit’s IT community, credited his mother for instilling a strong work ethic and mentors for enhancing his finance expertise while leveraging his IT skills through networking and volunteering. Beechey valued candid mentorship, recalling how blunt feedback from one mentor sparked self-reflection, while another with business expertise broadened his perspective, emphasizing technical, leadership, and business skills. Yendluri shared how time-bound mentorships tailored to her career stages, combined with ongoing connections for honest feedback, fueled her growth.

Key takeaway: Mentorship has a significant role in fostering self-awareness and adaptability for mentees.

Success Strategies

Building on early career lessons and mentorship, the panelists shared strategies for success. Klee described her push-pull approach, learning from management while coaching her team to grow through delegation, urging mentees to pursue work they love and surround themselves with complementary talents for both success and happiness. Loiselle advised against chasing titles or money, instead encouraging mentees to seek responsibility, master delegation, and maintain a clear “North Star” purpose to drive motivation and rewarding outcomes.

Key takeaway: Strategies that emphasize continuous learning, team empowerment, and purposeful direction drive results and success.

Building Resilience Through Failure

The panelists also addressed resilience in overcoming setbacks. Beechey debunked the myth that career advancement reduces failures, noting that greater responsibility brings more opportunities for setbacks, and encouraged embracing risk, making informed decisions, and showing self-compassion. Johnson shared a challenging $700 million project where disagreements with the CFO and a volume test failure tested his resolve; his bold decision to remove problematic code, supported by the CFO, led to success, highlighting perseverance and self-awareness. Yendluri noted that challenging situations draw scrutiny, emphasizing the need for composure and strategic thinking under pressure.

Key takeaway: Resilience and learning from failure are critical for growth at all levels.

Career-Shaping Feedback

Pivotal feedback moments were also shared. Klee recounted returning to work after maternity leave, feeling overwhelmed by fatigue and parenting demands, until her manager’s advice— “Just try it. What is the worst that could happen?”—encouraged her to assess risks objectively, a mindset that guided her career, complemented by the insight that one cannot excel in all roles (employee, parent, spouse) simultaneously, as priorities shift over time. Loiselle shared his experience overcoming ADHD and dyslexia after a principal suggested holding him back; his mother’s advocacy led to an IQ test revealing his potential, and a dedicated teacher’s tailored instruction fostered his academic success, instilling lifelong empathy from his time in special education. He stressed avoiding comparisons with others, prioritizing learning over social media, and recognizing that how one allocates time shapes future success.

Key takeaway: Mentoring feedback and support can significantly influence one's career and personal growth by encouraging risk assessment, recognizing shifting priorities, and valuing learning over comparisons.

Maximizing Mentorship and Networking

Finally, the panelists offered actionable advice for maximizing the RISE and SOAR programs. Klee urged mentees to engage actively with mentors, seek guidance, and build lasting connections to expand knowledge. Beechey emphasized prioritizing people—peers, teams, and mentees—through candid feedback and mentoring, noting success depends on a supportive network. Johnson highlighted fostering trust, embracing hard work with enthusiasm, managing stress, and planning one to two roles ahead. Loiselle underscored networking’s power, advocating for genuine connections through understanding others’ challenges and offering mutual support. 

Take The Next Step

• Practice the Push Pull Strategy to help you and your team grow.
• When in a tough situation remind yourself – “Just try it. What is the worst that could happen?" (Hint: If it's not jail or death, try it!)
• Connect with 2 people today and work on building intentional relationships.
• Ask yourself "Am I balanced?" - and if not, take action to rebalance.
• Plan for 2 roles ahead that you see yourself in. Discuss with a mentor or trusted advisor to develop an action plan for you to grow into those roles.

Special thanks to EPITEC for hosting our CIO Fireside chat!

Stay connected, stay curious, and keep growing.

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