National awards spotlighted innovation, leadership, and impact across Canada's digital economy

TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / Canada's leading technology executives were recognized this week at the 2025 CanadianCIO of the Year Awards, honouring the CIOs and CISOs driving transformation and resilience across the country.

This long-standing national event celebrated the people whose leadership is shaping Canada's innovation landscape and strengthening the systems that power its economy. From modernizing public services to scaling global businesses, technology leaders are turning complex challenges into opportunities for progress.

Hosted by the CIO Association of Canada (CIOCAN), the awards returned on October 22, 2025, continuing a national tradition that highlights the vision, strategy, and collaboration behind the country's most impactful digital transformations.

"Technology leaders are behind some of the most important changes happening in Canada today," said Shaun Guthrie, President and Chair of CIOCAN. "These awards highlight the people who make innovation real in their organizations and who are helping to build a stronger, smarter digital future."

First launched by Fawn Annan and Jim Love during their time with IT World Canada (ITWC), the CanadianCIO of the Year Awards have celebrated excellence in technology leadership for more than a decade. Now, under a renewed partnership with Jim Love and Tech News Day, CIOCAN has reignited that legacy with a fresh focus and expanded reach.

Behind every major shift in how Canadians live, work, and do business are technology leaders whose decisions shape the country's progress. They are not politicians or public figures. They are the CIOs and CISOs modernizing public systems, scaling global businesses, protecting infrastructure, and guiding transformation at every level of society.

Their work is strategic, their decisions carry national impact, and their leadership deserves recognition on a national stage.

2025 Award Recipients

CIO of the Year - Private Sector is awarded to a leader who leverages technology to achieve genuine business outcomes - fostering growth and enhancing the customer experience.

• Catherine Desgagnés-Belzil: Executive Vice-President and Leader, Business Performance and Information Technology, Beneva

CIO of the Year - Public Sector is awarded to a leader who is modernizing government or public institutions, making services more accessible to communities.

• Scott McKenna: Chief Information Officer, Nova Scotia Health Authority

CIO of the Year - Not-for-Profit is awarded to a leader who uses technology to strengthen community impact and consistently expand mission-driven work.

• Lesa O'Brien: Executive Vice-President, Digital Strategy and Technology, Canadian Cancer Society

CISO of the Year is awarded to a leader with exceptional strength in cybersecurity - protecting data, infrastructure, and public trust in the current digital landscape.

• Brent Fowles: Director, Cyber Security and Business Services, Western University

Each recipient will be inducted into the new CIOCAN CanadianCIO Hall of Fame and receive a complimentary one-year CIOCAN membership in recognition of their lasting contributions to Canada's technology community.

Sponsor and Media Partner Acknowledgement

This year's program was supported by Bell (Innovator Sponsor), Quantiphi (Trailblazer Sponsor), and Infolaser (Catalyst Sponsor), whose commitment to innovation and leadership continues to strengthen Canada's technology community. CIOCAN was also proud to partner with Digital Journal as its official media partner, helping share the stories of Canada's top technology leaders with audiences nationwide.

About the CIO Association of Canada (CIOCAN)

The CIO Association of Canada is the only national professional association that connects IT executives across the country, empowering them to consistently grow as leaders. Our members are not just technologists - they represent change, innovation, and community. CIOCAN helps Canada's top technology leaders thrive in today's digital world through informed networking and a commitment to professional excellence. Learn more at ciocan.ca.

About Tech News Day

Tech News Day continues the mission founded by IT World Canada: to tell the stories of technology in business and society through a distinctly Canadian lens. Its platforms include Tech News Day, civicspace.ca, and the popular podcasts Hashtag Trending and Cybersecurity Today. Visit technewsday.ca to learn more.

Media Contact:
Lorraine Bauer, Executive Director
CIO Association of Canada
lorraine.bauer@ciocan.ca

SOURCE: CIO Association of Canada