Global Awards 2025 Finalists: CIO/CTO of the Year
    Global Awards 2025 Finalists: CIO/CTO of the Year

    💫  We're happy to announce the finalists for the CIO/CTO of the Year for 2025! 

    The CIO/CTO of the Year Award celebrates technology executives who are reshaping digital strategy, accelerating AI innovation, strengthening global infrastructure, and driving large-scale transformation across industries. These leaders sit at the intersection of technology and business impact, advancing resilience, responsible innovation, and sustainable growth. 

    The 2025 finalists span healthcare, education, cybersecurity, financial services, digital marketplaces, and enterprise software. Together, they represent the highest standard of modern technology leadership. 

    ⚡️ Recognized contributions: Leading technological innovation, implementing successful tech strategies, contributing to organizational growth or transformation.

    Below are this year’s finalists:

    ⭐ Cindy Hoots – SVP, Chief Digital Officer & CIO, AstraZeneca  

    • Champions enterprise-wide digital acceleration, AI adoption, and global scale in support of scientific and operational excellence. 

    ⭐ Diana Cano – Chief Information Officer, Cambium Learning Group  

    • Leads security modernization, data-driven transformation, and enterprise technology evolution supporting K–12 education impact. 

    ⭐ Diya Jolly – Chief Product & Technology Officer, Xero  

    • Guides global product, engineering, and AI strategy, accelerating innovation and scalable delivery across the cloud accounting ecosystem. 

    Emily Xu – Chief Digital & Information Officer, Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC)
     

    • Emily Xu drives digital growth at RNDC with a clear strategy, tight execution, and strong leadership across tech and eCommerce.
       

    ⭐ Hilary Aylesworth – Chief Product & Technology Officer, CoachHub  

    • Drives AI-powered coaching innovation and human-centric product development that democratizes access to professional growth. 

    ⭐ Laura Kohl – Global Chief Information Officer, Morningstar  

    • Leads global IT strategy, digital modernization, and cloud transformation to enable data-driven insights and global business growth. 

    ⭐ May Wang – CTO, IoT Security, Palo Alto Networks; Co-founder, Zingbox  

    • Advances AI-driven cybersecurity innovation and next-generation IoT protection at a global scale. 

    ⭐ Rashmi Kumar – SVP & Global Chief Information Officer, Medtronic  

    • Shapes enterprise technology strategy and intelligent platforms for one of the world’s largest healthcare technology organizations. 

    ⭐ Reetal Pai – EVP & Chief Information Officer, Teichert  

    • Builds high-performing global technology teams with a focus on organizational alignment, digital strategy, and inclusive leadership. 

    ⭐ Sowmya Dhandapani – Chief Technology Officer, FlexiBees  

    • Architects and scales an AI-powered talent marketplace enabling global businesses to hire vetted remote talent quickly and reliably. 

    These leaders embody the future of global technology, visionary, inclusive, responsible, and relentlessly innovative. Their contributions are reshaping industries and demonstrating how technology can drive meaningful impact at scale. 

    🥁 The winners will be announced on December 4 during the Women in Tech Global Awards 2025 ceremony.

    🎫  Get your ticket to join the ceremony, get actionable insights from the keynotes, and celebrate the achievements of the outstanding women in tech.