On Saturday, September 19, ITSMF will come together for the 5th Annual Technology Leaders Awards Gala, which will also serve as our official 30th Anniversary Celebration. This milestone event will set the stage for an unforgettable evening as we honor the changemakers whose contributions continue to shape the future of technology.

For 30 Years, ITSMF has remained the premier national organization dedicated exclusively to cultivating executive talent among technology professionals. ITSMF increases the representation of professionals at senior levels in technology, to impact organizational innovation and growth. We do this by developing and nurturing these dynamic leaders through the enrichment of the mind, body, and soul.

In support of our mission, ITSMF is pleased to announce the 5th Annual ITSMF Technology Leaders Awards. We invite you to nominate the best and brightest in the technology industry to be considered as a 2026 awardee.

Nomination Criteria / Eligibility

• The nominee must be aware of your nomination

• Anyone in the community may nominate deserving technology executives and entrepreneurs. There is no limit to the number of nominations you may submit

• All nominees should also demonstrate outstanding community service and impact and promote belonging within their organizations in alignment with ITSMF’s mission and goals.

• This award specifically honors technology leaders—executives, founders, and entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to the technology industry.

• Nominee must currently reside in the U.S. and have either U.S.-based or Global responsibility.

CATEGORIES

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 who boldly dared to disrupt the status quo among technology executives.

In support of our mission and memory of our founder, Carl Williams ITSMF is pleased to announce the launch of The Carl Williams Award and we invite you to Nominate the best and brightest in the technology industry to be considered as a 2026 awardee.

Qualifications:

All nominees must display the following characteristics for consideration:

• Leadership: The individual has demonstrated admirable leadership in the face of crisis or has shown a unique capacity to show up beyond their role. Leadership qualities include having a profound positive impact on people, continuously giving others the courage to excel, and welcoming and mentoring those around them who are not immediate direct reports.

• Courage: The individual has taken stands on issues important to them and their work and is willing to push their organization and the technology industry to do better.

• Integrity: The individual embodies qualities such as fairness, a commitment to equity, and a willingness to admit faults and learn from mistakes. This individual consistently exhibits ethical behaviors publicly and privately and inspires others to exemplify principled values.

• Unapologetically Bold: The individual has built a strong community around him/her to assist others in excelling. This individual is willing to take risks to create positive change and improve our world.

• Strategic Thinker: This individual holistically examines goals and desired outcomes, anticipates variables, overcomes obstacles, applies data-driven decision-making, and is creative, innovative, and inclusive when exploring solutions. S/he thrives on continual learning and self-improvement and generously shares knowledge with others.

• Community Champion: The individual is a steadfast advocate for their community. S/he has a passionate soul and continuously seeks ways to support others and mentor the next generation of leaders. As a leader in the community, the individual works hard to promote unity, expose and fix inequity and injustices, and help others achieve excellence.

Eligibility requirements:

• Be a current member of ITSMF for at least 10 consecutive years in either an Executive or Associate member classification.

• The individual’s contributions to ITSMF promote inclusivity in the IT field.

• The individual also promotes the goals and philosophies of ITSMF.

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 inclusion within their organizations in alignment with ITSMF’s mission and goals.

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

• 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)

Entrepreneur of the Year ($1Million – $5 Million) – (C-Suite executives only) nominees must be the Founder/Owner of a technology product or services company with $1M – $5 M in annual revenue who is also a thought leader or influencer. Nominee must demonstrate outstanding community service, impact and promote inclusion within their organizations in alignment with ITSMF’s mission and goals.

Entrepreneur of the Year (More than $5 Million) – (C-Suite executives only) nominees must be the Founder/Owner of a technology product or services company with more than $5M in annual revenue who is also a thought leader or influencer. Nominee must demonstrate outstanding community service, impact and promote inclusion within their organizations in alignment with ITSMF’s mission and goals.

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 inclusion 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)

Previous Years’ Winners

GET YOUR INSIDER ACCESS TODAY!

Join ITSMF’s subscriber list and be among the first to hear about
leadership resources, upcoming events, program news, ways to engage and more.