CIO Leadership Program Celebrates Rising Tech Stars

Next CIO awards identify and support high-potential IT leaders on path to executive roles

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Nominations are now open for the Next CIO, a leadership development and awards program that recognizes and supports high-potential technology professionals on a trajectory toward senior leadership roles like CIO, CTO, and CDO. The program provides mentorship, workshops, and a peer community to help rising leaders build strategic capabilities, increase professional visibility, and advance their careers.

Why it matters

As the path to the CIO role becomes more complex, requiring cross-functional influence, board-level communication, and business strategy thinking, programs like Next CIO aim to identify and develop the next generation of technology executives. By providing targeted support and recognition, the initiative aims to broaden access to mentorship and reduce barriers to advancement for ambitious IT leaders.

The details

Next CIO is a year-round program that blends public recognition with leadership development opportunities. Award winners will be celebrated at the annual CIO 100 event, while participants also gain access to mentorship from established CIOs, tailored leadership workshops, and a growing peer community of rising tech stars. The program is integrated into the CIO 100 regional event series, giving nominees the chance to engage directly with senior industry leaders.

  • Nominations are now open for the Next CIO program.
  • The submission deadline is March 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.
  • The Next CIO Award winners will be recognized at the annual CIO 100 event.

The players

Romy Tuin

Foundry's Global Director of Events Content, who stated that the Next CIO program provides a powerful opportunity to recognize leaders on a strong path to the technology C-suite while building a network of future CIOs.

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What they’re saying

“We are thrilled to launch the program in the United States as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the CIO community. This initiative provides a powerful opportunity to recognize leaders on a strong path to the technology C-suite, while building a network of future CIOs who can develop, refine, and strengthen the skills needed for executive success.”

— Romy Tuin, Foundry's Global Director of Events Content

What’s next

Interested technology professionals can join the CIO 100 Leadership Live event in Atlanta on March 5, 2026, where all regional nominees will be invited to an exclusive luncheon.

The takeaway

The Next CIO program aims to identify and support the next generation of technology leaders, providing them with the mentorship, development opportunities, and peer network to advance their careers and prepare for senior executive roles. By recognizing rising stars and investing in their growth, the initiative seeks to strengthen the pipeline of future CIOs and other technology C-suite leaders.