Seattle ORBIE Awards Spotlight Tech Leadership Across PNW Enterprises
Event summary
- The 2026 Seattle ORBIE Awards recognized 11 CIOs and CISOs from prominent Pacific Northwest companies.
- Award categories included CIO Leadership, CISO Leadership, Global ORBIE (revenue over $2 billion), Large Enterprise (revenue over $3 billion), and Enterprise (revenue over $800 million).
- Sue Taylor (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) received the CIO Leadership ORBIE, and Chuck Markarian (PACCAR) received the CISO Leadership ORBIE.
- The event, hosted by SeattleCIO and PacificNorthwestCISO (both part of the Inspire Leadership Network), drew over 450 attendees.
The big picture
The Seattle ORBIE Awards serve as a barometer of technology leadership within the Pacific Northwest's significant corporate landscape. The recognition of executives from companies like Starbucks (>$30B revenue) and Weyerhaeuser (>$2B revenue) demonstrates the pervasive need for strategic technology and security leadership across diverse industries. The event's focus on peer-adjudication reinforces the importance of internal networks and shared best practices in navigating complex business challenges.
What we're watching
- Succession Planning
- The recognition of retiring leaders like Chuck Markarian at PACCAR highlights the ongoing need for robust succession planning within PNW tech organizations.
- Security Focus
- The prominence of CISO awards underscores the increasing importance of cybersecurity leadership and investment across all sectors, even as economic uncertainty persists.
- Regional Tech Hub
- Continued recognition of PNW-based executives suggests the region remains a significant hub for technology innovation and leadership, despite broader geographic shifts in tech employment.
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