CanadianCIO of the Year Awards
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The CanadianCIO Awards recognize outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact by Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) across the country. These prestigious awards celebrate individuals who are shaping the future of technology in Canada. We are also excited to introduce the Fawn Annan Memorial Award given annually to a female IT Leader, in recognition of outstanding achievements and industry contributions.
Nominations
When is the nomination deadline?
All nominations must be submitted by April 30, 2026.
Who is eligible for nomination?
Nominees must meet the following criteria:
- Be a Canadian CIO, CISO or hold an equivalent senior IT leadership role.
- Work for a Canadian company or have a primary office located in Canada.
Additional Requirement:
- Fawn Annan Memorial Award only: The nominee must be a female IT leader.
What is required to submit a nomination?
A complete nomination includes:
- Submission of the online nomination form for one of the following awards:
• CIO of the Year Award (Public, Private, or Not-for-Profit)
• CISO of the Year Award
• Fawn Annan Memorial Award
(Nomination forms can be found here.) - Two reference letters supporting the nomination.
- Confirmation that the nominee meets all eligibility requirements.
Can I nominate myself?
Yes. Self-nominations are welcome, provided that all required documentation and reference letters are submitted.
Award Ceremony
Are award finalists required to attend the event?
Yes. All award finalists are required to attend the event. Finalists will also be asked to prepare a 3–5-minute acceptance speech highlighting their achievements and contributions to the industry, should they be selected as the award recipient.
Finalist Benefits
What do award finalists receive?
Each finalist will receive:
- Two complimentary passes to the celebration event on on Thursday, October 1st at the Arcadian Loft in Toronto.
- An honorarium towards travel & accommodations for the finalist to attend the CanadianCIO Awards celebration.
Recipient Benefits
What do award recipients receive?
In addition to the finalist benefits listed above, award recipients will receive:
- An opportunity to deliver an acceptance speech at the awards celebration, sharing their accomplishments with a distinguished audience of industry peers.
- A feature article in Digital Journal highlighting their achievements
- Profiled in the Digital Event Program
- A video interview with Digital Journal
- A one-year membership with the CIO Association of Canada
- Induction into the CanadianCIO Hall of Fame
Contact
Have additional questions?
For more information about nominations or the awards event, please contact:
Carolyn Reimer
📧 Carolyn.Reimer@ciocan.ca