Networking Mixer and Fireside Chat: Applying Business Wisdom to Higher Education’s Digital Future
Union trustees Cliff Hudson (former CEO, SONIC) and Craig Miller (former CIO, Planet Fitness) join us to examine what operational practices transfer to mission-driven institutions—and what doesn’t. Moderated through a justice-centered lens by host & TIDEL Director Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes, this conversation explores building humane, data-informed systems that strengthen access, equity, and student success.
Limited Event Seating: The first 135 RSVP attendees will receive a signed copy of Bricks & Clicks.
Date & Time:
Monday, October 20, 2025
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM EST
Burke Library, Union Theological Seminary
3041 Broadway, New York, NY 10027
Meet the Speakers:
J. Clifford Hudson is Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Union Theological Seminary. He was for 23 years the CEO of publicly-held Sonic Corp., until it was acquired by an affiliate of Roark Capital in 2018. He also served as chairman of the board of directors of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), a presidential appointment, from 1994-2001. He previously served as a trustee of the Ford Foundation, and chairman of the board of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Hudson graduated from the University of Oklahoma, where he was honored in 2011 with an honorary doctoral degree in humane letters, and Georgetown University Law Center. In 2014, he received Georgetown’s John Carroll award, its highest Award for University alumni.
Craig Miller is currently serving on several boards and providing consulting and advisory services to several companies, specializing in growth strategies and operational efficiency,. Mr. Miller brings more than 35 years of experience in building industry-leading technology systems and innovative customer facing products across a wide range of industries and prominent consumer companies.
Mr. Miller has served as Chief Digital & Information Officer of Planet Fitness, where he led the vision, strategy, and execution of the Company’s digital, data, and technology innovation to drive member growth, retention, and brand expansion.
Previously, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information and Technology Officer at Sonic Drive-In, where he was responsible for developing and executing the technology transformation growth strategies, including the implementation of new digital experiences and restaurant systems.
Prior to joining Sonic, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Movie Gallery/Hollywood Video where he led strategic planning and development for the implementation of a new retail technology and analytics portfolio.
Mr. Miller previously held several senior technology executive roles at Bank of America, PepsiCo, Chyron, and Eaton Aeronautic Systems, which included leadership assignments on transformational business strategies, acquisitions, divestitures, and mergers.
He was also a co-founder of a software development/consulting firm that specialized in emerging technologies, advanced business solutions, large-scale implementations, and consumer products. Mr. Miller received his Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Stony Brook and Master’s from New York University. He is Six Sigma certified, and currently serves on several boards.
Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes is a public theologian, innovation strategist, pastor and author. She is the Director of the Technology, Innovation & Digital Engagement Lab Fellowship housed at Union Theological Seminary. She studied under the doctoral advisement of Dr. L. Gregory Jones at Duke Divinity School where she completed her Doctorate in Ministry on innovation, social change and the church.
Dr. Gabby is a sought after voice in the public square. She was a featured contributor on The 2023 Oprah Winfrey Network’s documentary series: Time of Essence (HBO MAX), a contributor to The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History’s new film, GODTALK (2023) and was a featured contributor to Dr. Henry Lewis Gates’ documentary, GOSPEL (2024) on PBS. In 2022 she released her first book: Psalms for Black Lives, Reflections for the Work of Liberation. The book has sold more than 10,000 copies worldwide.
Dr. Gabby travels the nation training and equipping faith leaders to do the work of love & justice. At the height of both a global pandemic and a contentious presidential election season, Dr. Gabby was appointed to then NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio’s COVID-19 Clergy Task Force . She also served as an Eastern Region Convener of the Black Church PAC where she trained hundreds of clergy across the eastern region of the nation on matters of faith & voter engagement strategies. In 2024 she was appointed to New York City Public School’s Chancellor David Banks’ Interfaith Advisory Council.
She is a graduate of Duke, Yale, NYU & Hampton University. She currently serves as Vice President of The Yale Divinity School Alumni Board.