Carolina CIO ORBIE Awards 2026 Recognize Tech Leaders from MetLife, Duke Energy, and Others
Event summary
- The 2026 Carolina CIO ORBIE Awards honored top technology executives from eight major companies on September 14, 2026.
- Over 300 guests attended the event, which was hosted by CharlotteCIO & TriangleCIO, chapters of the Inspire Leadership Network.
- Winners included Bill Pappas from MetLife, Keri Henderson from Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Richard Donaldson from Duke Energy.
- The awards recognized leadership in technology innovation and business value creation across seven categories.
- Keynote address was delivered by Angela Yochem, Global Chief Tech & Performance Officer at Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation.
The big picture
The 2026 Carolina CIO ORBIE Awards highlight the growing importance of technology leadership in driving business transformation across various industries. The recognition of CIOs from companies like MetLife and Duke Energy underscores the strategic role of technology in large enterprises. The event also emphasizes the value of peer-led networks like Inspire Leadership Network in fostering executive collaboration and innovation.
What we're watching
- Leadership Impact
- How the recognized CIOs will leverage their awards to drive further technological innovation within their respective industries.
- Industry Collaboration
- Whether the networking opportunities at the event will lead to new partnerships or collaborations among the attending executives.
- Technology Investment
- The pace at which the honored companies will increase their technology investments following the recognition of their CIOs.
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