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Rennu Varghese
VP & CIO
The Friedkin Group
Speaker Topics
- Data and Analytics
Speaker Bio
Rennu Varghese, Global Chief Information Officer for The Friedkin Group, is an award-winning, commercially minded technology leader boldly exploring the frontiers of technology and accelerating growth through tech-fueled innovation. In his role, Rennu provides strategic oversight for digital transformation, AI & IT across Friedkin’s portfolio of brands. He is a key leader behind envisioning and launching Trailblazer, their flagship AI initiative.
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Sessions
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 04:30 PM - 05:30 PM EDT
Charting the Future of Higher Education Data & Analytics
Marlena Brown,
Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
Nicole Muscanell,
Researcher, Educause
Rennu Varghese,
VP & CIO, The Friedkin Group
Mark McCormack,
Senior Director of Research & Insights, EDUCAUSE
Data and analytics are vital for higher education institutions to compete and thrive. With AI accelerating these trends, data literacy and analytical skills are now expected for leadership and students. This session — drawing on EDUCAUSE’s 2025 Horizon Report — will explore the evolving landscape and discuss actions leaders can take to prepare for a data-driven future.
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Wednesday, October 22, 2025 08:00 AM - 08:30 AM EDT
Executive Story: Truth, Lies, and AI
Rennu Varghese,
VP & CIO, The Friedkin Group
Think implementing AI is just a tech play? Think again. In this candid, behind the scenes session, Rennu Varghese—VP & CIO of The Friedkin Group—pulls back the curtain on their AI transformation journey across a portfolio of brands spanning sizes and industries. There’s no perfect playbook, but join this session to hear what we wish we'd known earlier in our own AI implementation journey. You’ll hear how one company dodged the hype, harnessed human curiosity, and sprinted from proof of concept to operational scaling—without losing its mind (or its team).
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