Seattle ORBIE Awards Honor Top Tech Executives

Leading CIOs and CISOs recognized for innovation, security, and business impact

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:20pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of a futuristic data center or server room, with neon cyan and magenta lights illuminating the intricate hardware infrastructure, conceptually representing the transformative impact of technology leadership.The ORBIE Awards honor the CIOs and CISOs whose visionary leadership powers the digital transformation of the Pacific Northwest.Seattle Today

The 2026 Seattle ORBIE Awards honored top chief information officers (CIOs) and chief information security officers (CISOs) from organizations across the Pacific Northwest, including Weyerhaeuser, MultiCare Health System, BECU, Starbucks, Premera Blue Cross, Remitly, PCC Community Markets, Gesa Credit Union, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and PACCAR. The prestigious awards recognized exceptional leadership in driving business transformation and industry impact.

Why it matters

The ORBIE Awards highlight the critical role CIOs and CISOs play in leading technology and security strategies that transform businesses and the regional economy. The awards showcase the Pacific Northwest's thriving technology ecosystem and the executives shaping it.

The details

Hosted by the SeattleCIO and PacificNorthwestCISO chapters of the Inspire Leadership Network, the ORBIE Awards ceremony brought together over 450 top executives and industry leaders to honor excellence across nine award categories. Finalists and winners were selected through an independent peer-adjudication process based on criteria such as leadership effectiveness, technology innovation, enterprise security, and community engagement.

  • The 2026 Seattle ORBIE Awards ceremony took place on April 16, 2026 at The Westin Seattle.

The players

Sue Taylor

CIO (fmr), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, received the CIO Leadership ORBIE.

Chuck Markarian

CISO (ret), PACCAR, received the CISO Leadership ORBIE.

Rebecca Straka

CIO, Weyerhaeuser Company, received the Global ORBIE for organizations over $2 billion annual revenue and multi-national operations.

Scott Waters

CIO, MultiCare Health System & Overlake Medical Center & Clinics, received the Large Enterprise ORBIE for organizations over $3 billion annual revenue.

Nathan Ramachandran

EVP & CTO, BECU, received the Enterprise ORBIE for organizations over $800 million annual revenue.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Behind every successful technology and security strategy is a CIO or CISO leading the vision.”

— Laurent Rotival, SeattleCIO Chair

“The ORBIE Awards recognize CIOs and CISOs who drive meaningful impact through leadership excellence. Finalists and winners highlight the business value of technology and security initiatives transforming Pacific Northwest's economy.”

— Chuck Markarian, PacificNorthwestCISO Chair

What’s next

The 2027 Seattle ORBIE Awards ceremony is scheduled for April 15, 2027 at The Westin Seattle.

The takeaway

The Seattle ORBIE Awards showcase the vital role that CIOs and CISOs play in driving innovation, security, and business transformation across the Pacific Northwest's thriving technology ecosystem. The recognized leaders are shaping the future of the region's economy through their strategic vision and execution.