ITSMF Awards and Honorees 2026

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the esteemed judges who graciously lent their expertise in evaluating the nominations for the Technology Leaders Awards. Your invaluable assistance and commitment to excellence have been instrumental in recognizing and celebrating the achievements of exceptional technology leaders. Thank you for your time, dedication, and insightful evaluations. Together, we honor innovation and drive in the ever-evolving world of technology.

Meredith Harper

Earl Newsome

Robert Peterkin

Bennette Veals

ITSMF Fellows

Highest ITSMF honor bestowed. Compare in prestige to the Kennedy Center awards. Qualification criteria:

Distinctive Fortune 50 or 100 executive leader or equivalent classification
Recognized industry leadership and/or status as an industry influencer (by organizations such as BEYA, Black Enterprise, CIO Magazine, Computerworld or Various “Who’s Who”, etc.)
Member of a National, public board
Consistent and active engagement, stewardship, and leadership within ITSMF for at least 10 years

New 2026 Fellows

Doug Ash

President – Rising Tide Coaching & Consulting

Jacqueline Wright

Chief Digital Officer and Corporate Vice President – Microsoft US

Robert Scott

Vice President and Dean; Global Institue of Professional Development – ITSMF

CurVie Burton

The Road B4 U – CEO/Founder

The Carl Williams Award

Under the leadership of Carl Williams, this 501c(3) organization began recruiting professionals who ranked among the Who’s Who in technology, along with companies and individuals that boldly dared to disrupt the status quo among technology executives.

Qualifications:

All nominees must display the following characteristics for consideration:

Leadership
Courage
Integrity
Unapologetically Bold
Strategic Thinker
Community Champion

Eligibility requirements:

Be a current member of ITSMF for at least 10 consecutive years in either an Executive or Associate member classification.
The individual also promotes the goals and philosophies of ITSMF.

Martin Davis

Lifetime Achievement Award

This award is presented to an executive who has exhibited outstanding, creative, innovative, and visionary leadership in the growth and advancement of the technology industry and who has consistently gone above and beyond to embody ITSMF’s mission and values through their engagement, stewardship, mentorship, sponsorship, and volunteerism. It is one of the highest honors an individual can receive during their career.

Executive Member of the Year

Robert Peterkins

President & CEO – Bridgeway Data Solutions

Associate Member of the Year

Stephanie Stiles

Business Information Security Officer – PepsiCo

Technology Executive of the Year

(C-Suite executives only) nominees must be the highest-ranking Technology/Digital Executive of a company who is also a thought leader or influencer. Nominee must demonstrate outstanding community service, impact and promote diversity within their organizations in alignment with ITSMF’s mission and goals.

Technology Executive of the Year – Enterprise/Corporate
(Leader of a Fortune 1000 company with local or global reach)

Technology Executive of the Year – Education
(Leader of an accredited U.S. based secondary institution, college or university)

Technology Executive of the Year – Nonprofit/Public Sector
(Leader of government institution or other not-for-profit organization generating at minimum $1M in revenue)

Technology Executive of the Year – SMB (Small and Medium-sized Business)
(Leader of a business with 100 or fewer employees (small), or 100-999 employees (medium-sized)

Chloe Barzey

Senior Managing Director and Atlanta Office Managing Director – Accenure

Brian Benn

CIO – Clark Atlanta University

Jeff Stovall

Chief Information Officer – City of Dallas

LaKisha Greenwade

Founder & CEO – Wearable Tech Ventures

Technology Leader on the Rise

Non C-Suite executives nominees are Technology/Digital Executives one or two levels from the C-Suite (i.e. Director, VP or VP-equivalent) who is also a thought leader or influencer. Nominee must demonstrate outstanding community service, impact and promote diversity within their organizations in alignment with ITSMF’s mission and goals

Technology Leader on the Rise – Global
(Leader of a Fortune 100 company with reach beyond the U.S. and U.S. territories)

Technology Leader on the Rise – Enterprise/Corporate
(Leader of a Fortune 1000 company with local or global reach)

Technology Leader on the Rise – Education
(Leader of an accredited U.S. based secondary institution, college or university)

Technology Leader on the Rise – Nonprofit/Public Sector
(Leader of government institution or other not-for-profit organization generating at minimum $1M in revenue)

Technology Leader on the Rise – SMB (Small and Medium-sized Business)
(Leader of a business with 100 or fewer employees (small), or 100-999 employees (medium-sized)