News Summary
Raleigh, North Carolina, hosted the prestigious Carolina CIO ORBIE Awards which recognized exceptional technology leadership among CIOs from the Carolinas. The event gathered nearly 350 high-profile guests at the Embassy Suites, honoring leaders from major organizations. Awards were presented in various categories, including Super Global and Leadership, and featured insights from notable speakers highlighting the importance of innovation in today’s business landscape.
Raleigh, N.C., Hosts the 2025 Carolina CIO ORBIE Awards Recognizing Technology Leadership
The city of Raleigh, North Carolina, was the scene of a significant event in the technology industry on September 19, 2025, when the Carolina CIO ORBIE Awards ceremony took place. This annual event celebrates outstanding leadership and innovation among chief information officers (CIOs) across the Carolinas, highlighting the vital role of technology executives in driving business transformation.
Event Overview and Attendance
The awards ceremony was hosted at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh-Durham/Research Triangle and drew nearly 350 guests, including top executives and industry leaders from various organizations within the region. The event was organized by CharlotteCIO and TriangleCIO, chapters of the Inspire Leadership Network, an organization dedicated to fostering leadership among technology professionals in the Carolinas.
Purpose and Significance of the ORBIE Awards
The ORBIE Awards serve to recognize CIOs who exemplify leadership in leveraging technology to transform businesses and industry practices. Since its inception in 1998, the awards have become a benchmark for excellence in technology leadership, promoting best practices and fostering meaningful relationships among industry peers and trusted business partners.
Categories and Recognition
The 2025 awards honored winners in seven distinct categories based on organization size, revenue, and global footprint:
- Super Global – Organizations with over $5 billion in annual revenue and multinational operations.
- Global – Organizations with over $1 billion in annual revenue and multinational operations.
- Large Enterprise – Organizations with over $1.6 billion in annual revenue.
- Enterprise – Organizations with over $1 billion in annual revenue.
- Large Corporate – Organizations with over $500 million in annual revenue.
- Corporate – Organizations with up to $500 million in annual revenue.
- Leadership – Individual recognition for outstanding CIO leadership.
Among the distinguished winners were CIOs from major organizations, including Lowe’s Companies, Inc., Elevance Health, Odyssey Logistics, TIAA, FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Centria Healthcare, and Fayetteville Public Works Commission.
Winners and Their Achievements
- Seemantini Godbole from Lowe’s Companies, Inc. received the Leadership ORBIE for her impactful leadership.
- Amish Patel of Elevance Health was awarded the Super Global ORBIE for organizations with over $5 billion in revenue and multinational operations.
- Maneet Singh from Odyssey Logistics earned the Global ORBIE for organizations with over $1 billion in annual revenue.
- Sastry Durvasula of TIAA was recognized with the Large Enterprise ORBIE, representing organizations earning over $1.6 billion annually.
- Chris Beasley of FirstHealth of the Carolinas received the Enterprise ORBIE for organizations earning over $1 billion annually.
- Pawanjit Singh from Centria Healthcare was awarded the Large Corporate ORBIE for companies with revenue exceeding $500 million.
- Mark Lawler of Fayetteville Public Works Commission received the Corporate ORBIE for organizations earning up to $500 million annually.
Keynote and Leadership Insights
The event featured a keynote address delivered by Bonnie Titone, the SVP & Chief Administrative Officer of Duke Energy. An interview session was conducted by Kenitra Horsley, the Chief of Staff and Chief Information Officer at Queens University of Charlotte, focusing on leadership and technological innovation.
Industry Perspectives and Selection Process
CharlotteCIO Chair Jaimee Robles emphasized the role of CIOs in driving transformation through innovation and meaningful connections. TriangleCIO Chair Josh Bomba highlighted the importance of utilizing technology to unlock business value and achieve measurable impacts.
The awards’ winners and finalists are selected through an independent, peer-adjudicated process overseen by previous ORBIE recipients. This process ensures the recognition of true leadership excellence based on peer evaluations and industry standards.
Background and Legacy of the ORBIE Awards
The Carolina CIO ORBIE Awards have been honoring technology leadership since 1998. The awards aim to inspire CIOs and foster leadership excellence within the region, strengthening relationships among technology professionals and promoting industry growth through shared best practices.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Raleigh Hosts the Carolina CIO ORBIE Awards Recognizing Technology Leadership
Additional Resources
- Business Insider: 2025 Carolina CIO ORBIE Awards
- Wikipedia: Chief Information Officer
- Business Insider: 2024 CIO ORBIE Awards
- Google Search: CIO leadership
- Wikipedia: Technology Management
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
