Faraz Iqbal

Chief Technology Officer Edible Arrangements

Faraz Iqbal is the Chief Technology Officer at Edible Brands®,, where he leverages over 25 years of technology and operations experience to enhance innovation and efficiency across the company's e-commerce, store technology and corporate platforms. He is adept at transforming technology organizations from cost centers to profit centers, with a special focus on SaaS and franchise technologies. Prior to joining Edible Brands, Faraz served as the Senior Vice President of Global Services at Zilliant, a leading tech company in Price Optimization and Revenue Management. He has also held the position of COO at Naranga, where his team was ranked second in Franchise Online Technology Services by Entrepreneur Magazine. Faraz holds a master’s degree in International Business from Fairfield University and a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Pace University. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and an alumnus of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2020.Faraz is active in various non-profit initiatives and serves on multiple boards focusing on community and youth development.

Retail Reinvented: Harnessing Technology & Data For A Resilient Future

8:55 AM C-LEVEL CHAT: From Aisles to Algorithms: Harnessing IoT for Smarter Retail

The retail landscape is undergoing a seismic shift as the IoT introduces new levels of intelligence, automation, and insight. From connected shelves and smart inventory systems to personalized in-store experiences and supply chain optimization, IoT is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s a present-day differentiator. This session will explore how IT leaders can harness IoT technologies to drive operational efficiency, enhance customer engagement, and create competitive advantages in an increasingly digital-first world.

· Discovering how IoT enables real-time inventory management, predictive maintenance, and energy optimization, reducing costs and improving backend operations

· Learning how connected devices like beacons, smart mirrors, and mobile integrations deliver seamless, personalized shopping experiences that drive loyalty and engagement

· Understanding how IoT data can be aggregated and analyzed to provide actionable insights, enabling proactive merchandising, demand forecasting, and customer behavior analysis

· Crafting a roadmap for building a scalable IoT architecture, including network requirements, integration with legacy systems, and strategies to mitigate security risks

Next-Gen Retail: Innovating For Agility, Growth, And Seamless Customer Experiences

9:35 AM C-LEVEL CHAT: Leading Change: Steering Your Organization Successfully Through Transformation

This session will look at the realm of change management for CIOs and IT executives and shed light on the pivotal role leadership plays in steering organizations through transformative periods. From redefining processes to fostering a culture of adaptability, we will explore practical strategies for IT leaders to lead change effectively, ensuring not only the successful implementation of new initiatives but also the cultivation of a resilient and forward-thinking IT team.

· Outlining the importance of aligning change initiatives with overarching organizational strategies

· Discussing the critical role of leadership in fostering a culture of adaptability and continuous improvement within the IT department

· Strategies for cultivating a change-ready mindset, encouraging innovation, and overcoming resistance to change

Adopting techniques for developing and nurturing a change-ready ops team

Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Faraz.

Download The Latest Agenda