Speakers 2025
Jessica Szalla, Director, Technology Systems - ITSM & Operations, Giant Eagle
Jessica Szalla is a visionary IT service and support leader with more than 29 years of experience driving transformative process improvements, reducing costs, and developing talent to enhance operational efficiency. A dedicated Giant Eagle team member, Jess leads Disaster Recovery, Data Operations, IT Service Management, and the Technology Service Desk with a strategic mindset, ensuring that technology-driven initiatives align with business objectives to foster resilience, agility, and innovation. With a results-oriented approach, Jess specializes in managing change, re-engineering processes and services, and implementing forward-thinking strategies that empower teams and optimize service delivery. She leverages her expertise in ITIL frameworks—holding certifications in HDI Director, ITIL 4 Foundation, ITIL Drive Stakeholder Value, and ITIL High Velocity IT—while actively pursuing ITIL Direct, Plan, Improve certification to further strengthen organizational effectiveness. An experienced speaker and storyteller, Jess shares her Service Management insights with industry peers at events such as Service Management World, HDI Steel City, GetWITit Pittsburgh, and Giant Eagle Leadership Academy. She is passionate about shaping the future of IT services through thought leadership, innovation, and strategic partnerships. Her contributions to the field have been recognized by Progressive Grocer, which named her a Rising Star in its prestigious Top Women in Grocery awards program. Jess severs on the HDI Conference Advisory Board and provides strategic guidance and industry expertise to shape the event's content, speaker selection, and overall direction, ensuring it delivers valuable insights and meets the evolving needs of attendees.