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ICON LEGEND
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SESSION ICONS
Belonging & Inclusion
Belonging & Inclusion
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity
Data Privacy/ Management and Interoperability
Data Privacy/ Management and Interoperability
Digital Access
Digital Access
Educational Environment
Educational Environment
Finance and Funding
Finance and Funding
Innovative Technologies
Innovative Technologies
Instructional Practice
Instructional Practice
IT Management
IT Management
Leadership & Vision
Leadership & Vision
Managing Tech and Research
Managing Tech and Research
Ticketed Events
Ticketed Events
Additional Fee
Additional Fee
Invite Only
Invite Only

Arba Houlden, Jr. (he/him/his)

Executive Director
Chicago Public Schools

Arba L. Houlden, Jr.Executive | Strategist | TransformerArba L. Houlden, Jr. is a high-impact executive with over 20 years of experience driving large-scale digital transformation and strategic alignment within complex public and private sector organizations. Currently serving as the Executive Director of IT Business Partnership & Innovation at Chicago Public Schools, Arba leads a cross-functional department of over 30 professionals. In this role, he oversees enterprise IT strategy and AI adoption, managing technology initiatives for a $10B+ organization to enhance student outcomes and operational efficiency.Throughout his career, Arba has consistently bridged the gap between technical infrastructure and business growth. His tenure at AGB Innovative Security Solutions saw him in multiple C-suite roles, including EVP of Business Development and CISO. During this time, he launched a new Cybersecurity line of business that fueled a 40% increase in sales and expanded the company’s footprint across five states.Arba’s expertise extends deep into the public sector, having served as the Deputy CIO for the Cook County Bureau of Technology, where he managed a $250M project portfolio, and as a Project Manager for the Chicago Police Department. His foundational leadership skills were honed during a successful tenure at Sun Microsystems and Encyclopaedia Britannica.A dedicated lifelong learner, Arba holds an MBA from Capella University and a BA in Computer Science from DePaul University. He is a Six Sigma Black Belt and holds certifications from the Kellogg School of Management and the Project Management Institute (PMP). He is recognized for his ability to build nimble, high-performance teams and architect secure, scalable environments that mitigate risk while fostering innovation.

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