50+ years COMMITTED to developing tomorrow's leadeRS TODAY

JIM KNIGHT

As Vice President of the SIM Leadership Institute, Jim is responsible for Institute strategies and offerings, while leading the team of Directors to drive the growth of SIM's internal leadership army's capabilities -- to develop exceptional leaders who change the world.

Jim is a seasoned executive and professional with more than 38 years of experience.  In recent years  he has been the CEO of Knight Insights, a successful empowerment/leadership coaching and executive consulting business with clients that range from many personal and professional individuals to major corporations.      

Prior to his current role Jim spent 20 years at Chubb Insurance Company in various IT leadership positions culminating in his 9-year role as the Chubb Global CIO and Executive Vice President.  Prior to Chubb, Jim worked at Utica National Insurance Company, Home Insurance Company and Merck-Medco.

STEVEN JOHN

As Director of Program Delivery, Steven is responsible for ensuring that all SIM Leadership Institute programs are delivered with the highest quality, are aligned with the Institute's mission and maintain the characteristics of relevance, challenge and professional growth. 

Steven is the former CIO of Aramark Uniform Services & Aramark Refreshment Services.  He's also held senior executive positions at Workday, AmeriPride Services, H.B. Fuller, Agriliance, and Cigna.  He’s been named to the ‘CIO Hall of Fame’ (Class of 2018) by IDG/ CIO.com, been recognized as a ‘Premier 100 IT Leader’ by Computerworld Magazine, has received the CIO Executive Council’s Leadership Award and been recognized by Information Week as an industry innovator for his work implementing cloud solutions. Steven holds a BA degree in Business Administration from the University of Utah and is currently on the faculty of IANS Research, an organization focused on supporting the Chief Information Security Officer profession.

CAREN SHIOZAKI

As Director of Curriculum Development, Caren is responsible for ensuring that all SIM Leadership Institute programs are high quality, aligned with the Institute's mission and maintain the characteristics of depth, coherence, relevance, challenge, breadth and progression. 

Caren is a C-Suite Leader & Board Advisor for digital risk, governance, compliance, ethics and ESG.  She is also a business technology executive with more than twenty years in financial services, travel, and media industries.  Caren has experience as a savvy executive driving business operations to achieve profitable growth strategies, and can direct complex transformation projects from vision through successful execution while coordinating geographically dispersed, multi-disciplinary teams.  

Caren is acknowledged as a turnaround expert and skilled leader of digital risk, data privacy & analytics, and ESG advisory & program design. 

CORKY VALENTI

As Director of Finance & Administration, Corky is responsible for setting and managing the budget and oversees suport functions for the Institute as well as policy development.  He is also the point person for all Institute program support staff.

Corky was a longtime RLF facilitator and has a wide range of experience in strategic, corporate, marketing, and technical communications.  He has helped diverse organizations develop and execute communication and training programs to support enterprise initiatives and organizational change. He has extensive staff and project management experience in corporate, technical and marketing communications. 

Corky has also developed and implemented standards, processes, and methodologies for effective technical and marketing communication and training projects.