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Call for Nominations: 2025 MIT Sloan CIO Leadership Award

The MIT Sloan CIO Symposium is once again inviting nominations for the highly esteemed 18th Annual MIT Sloan CIO Leadership Award. Recognizing Chief Information Officers (CIOs) who significantly enhance their organizations through innovative information technology (IT) applications, this award serves as a beacon for excellence in IT leadership.

Eligibility and Nominations

Nominees for this award are required to hold the position of Chief Information Officer or a comparable title, ensuring they are the highest-ranking IT authority within their respective organizations. Both for-profit and non-profit entities are encouraged to participate, as self-nominations are also accepted, broadened to a diverse array of industries and backgrounds. Each nomination is evaluated based on a rigorous set of criteria assessed by a panel comprising distinguished CIOs, industry thought leaders, and MIT Sloan-associated professionals.

Past winners have earned considerable recognition, while highlighting the pivotal role CIOs play in digital transformation. Noteworthy recipients from recent years include:

• - Chris Bedi, Chief Digital Information Officer at ServiceNow (2024)
• - Tom Peck, EVP and Chief Information and Digital Officer of Sysco (2023)
• - Wafaa Mamilli, EVP and Chief Information and Digital Officer of Zoetis (2022)

Criteria for Selection

The judging criteria for the MIT Sloan CIO Leadership Award underscore several key characteristics that exemplify outstanding IT leadership:

1. Exceptional Communication: Award winners are expected to effectively convey a vision of strategic business value derived from IT. They collaborate across the organization, focusing on value and innovation rather than technology itself.

2. Recognized IT Leader: Effective management of core IT services with clear value-for-money propositions is essential. Winners are celebrated as leaders within their IT departments, establishing a pathway towards excellent service provision.

3. Driver of Business Value: A successful CIO should deeply understand the business dynamics and engage with senior executives like the CEO and CFO. They must ensure that all IT initiatives align with business goals and recognize the potential value of these efforts.

4. Trusted Partner: Beyond typical IT responsibilities, winners are often viewed as crucial members of the executive team, contributing to strategic decisions and transformational efforts. This increased scope may lead them to additional roles such as Chief Operating Officer or vice president of Strategy in their firms.

These attributes echo the insights presented in the essential literature, The Real Business of IT: How CIOs Create and Communicate Value, which is heavily informed by extensive research from MIT Sloan.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As the 2025 calendar begins, anticipation builds for the 22nd annual MIT Sloan CIO Symposium. According to Dr. George Westerman, Co-Chair of the Award Program, the award offers an opportunity to engage with outstanding leaders in an era characterized by AI-driven opportunities and challenges. Celebrating their achievements not only highlights their contributions but also inspires others in the realm of IT leadership.

Finalists will be honored during a distinguished dinner scheduled for May 19, 2025, with the award winner announced during the event. Additionally, each finalist will have the opportunity to contribute to discussions through panel presentations during the Symposium day.

To ensure a place in the nominations, applicants are urged to complete the first part of the application process promptly. Those wishing to progress further must submit the second part by the deadline of February 25, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The application can be completed online at MIT CIO Award. For any inquiries regarding the application, please reach out to [email protected].

About the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium

A prestigious platform, the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium serves as a global conference designed to enhance the leadership skills of CIOs and digital business executives. By exploring leading-edge technology innovations alongside proven business practices, the Symposium provides actionable insights essential for navigating current and future challenges. Combining the academic prowess of MIT with real-world expertise from top CIOs, this symposium stands as a unique educational opportunity for industry leaders. For more information about this year’s Symposium, visit MIT CIO Symposium.