CIO Mastermind Launches First Women's Peer Advisory Group in January 2027 for CIOs and Tech Leaders

New monthly virtual forum convenes women CIOs and tech leaders to strengthen executive decision-making, expand influence, and drive greater business value

DENVER, CO, UNITED STATES, November 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- CIO Mastermind today announced the launch of its first Women's Peer Advisory Group, a virtual group that meets monthly, beginning January 15, 2027. The new offering brings together accomplished women technology executives from across the country in a confidential, professionally facilitated setting to address consequential leadership decisions, exchange perspectives, and accelerate business results.

Designed for women CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, CDOs, and other senior technology leaders, the group builds on CIO Mastermind's established executive peer advisory model, creating a dedicated forum for women navigating increasingly complex technology, organizational, and business challenges.

"I founded CIO Mastermind in 2018 because, as a CIO, I watched CEOs and boards keep technology, and the people running it, at arm's length," said Scott Smeester, Founder and CEO of CIO Mastermind. "That gap between the CEO and the CIO is where decisions slow down and technology investments stop paying off, and the rapid pace of change in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity is making it wider. Our peer groups exist to close it. The Women’s Peer Advisory Group provides tech executives within a trusted forum to align technology plans and execution with business objectives, solve C-suite challenges, and act with confidence." Smeester pioneered the firm's complementary and enlightening Technology Value Assessment tool which focuses the tech leader on the five dimensions of business value creation.

Stacey S., Senior IT Director and a current CIO Mastermind peer group member, shared her experience: "I joined CIO Mastermind to connect with other technology leaders, share ideas, solve challenges, and trade practical, real-world advice in a technology landscape that keeps changing. I value learning from others' experiences, sharing my own, and having the kind of discussions that help us grow as leaders and move our organizations forward. CIO Mastermind is proving to be just the resource I was looking for."

Murem Sharpe, CEO of StrategyRx and co-founder of the Michigan Council of Women in Technology (MCWT), observed:
“Women technology executives bring exceptional experience and leadership strengths, yet often lack access to peers who share their perspectives. CIO Mastermind’s Women’s Peer Advisory Group provides a confidential forum to exchange insights, strengthen executive influence, and address both the unique challenges women face and the strategic decisions all technology leaders navigate—with the same rigor that defines every CIO Mastermind group”.

The inaugural group will meet virtually on the third Friday of each month, beginning Friday, January 15, 2027, from 10:00 to 11:45 a.m. Eastern. Membership is an annual commitment. Sessions will be facilitated by Joe Woodruff, CIO Mastermind Co-Founder, Executive Coach, and author of Align. Drawing on CIO Mastermind's experience facilitating executive peer groups, the program offers a distinctive approach:

* Carefully curated groups: Limited to 12 experienced executives, with individual discussions to ensure a strong fit.
* Confidential, vendor-free environment: Candid conversations without sales pitches, outside speakers, or competing agendas.
* Real decisions, real solutions: Members bring current strategic, organizational, and leadership challenges for collaborative problem-solving.
* Accountability for action: Monthly follow-up on commitments translates insights into meaningful progress.

Each session is a working meeting. Members bring a current decision or problem, and the group works through it together, drawing on what other senior leaders have already tried, learned, and lived through. Every member participates. There are no outside speakers, presentations, or panels, and no vendors in the room. The agenda comes from the members' own challenges. When a topic like AI comes up, the group works on what it means for the specific decision a member is facing.

While not a networking group, members build relationships with each other that last well beyond the meetings. The group meets virtually by design. Membership is curated for fit, experience, and the mix of perspectives in the room, so the right executives can take part wherever they are based. Members gain practical advantages that extend beyond traditional executive networking:

* Better decisions: Pressure-test high-stakes technology, organizational, and leadership choices with experienced peers.
* Greater executive influence: Strengthen relationships with CEOs, boards, and executive teams while aligning technology with business priorities.
* A trusted advisory circle: Build lasting relationships with women leaders who understand the responsibilities and pressures of senior technology roles.

Women CIOs and senior technology executives who want to be considered for the January group or a future 2027 group, and to reserve a spot, are invited to Book an Intro Call. Before joining, every member talks with CIO Mastermind Founder Scott Smeester in a 25-minute conversation to understand context, pressure points, and whether the CIO Mastermind Women's Peer Advisory Group is the right next step. Following the January launch, additional Women's Peer Advisory Groups are planned for 2027. Executives who cannot start in January are encouraged to book an intro call now to be considered for a future group.

Scott Smeester
CIO Mastermind
+1 303-517-5551
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