2026 SoCal ORBIE Awards Celebrate Top Technology and Security Executives
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Oct. 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 2026 SoCal ORBIE Awards honored leading chief information officers (CIOs) and chief information security officers (CISOs) from Tillys, Caterpillar, UCLA, TraPac LLC, Gemological Institute of America, Inc., Cedars-Sinai, OSI Systems, Inc., HMSA Blue Cross Blue Shield of Hawaii, and Hoag Health for their exceptional leadership. Hosted by SoCalCIO, SoCalCISO, and SanDiegoCIO, three of over 50 Inspire Leadership Network chapters, the prestigious award honors CIOs and CISOs who drive business transformation and industry impact.
This exclusive event brought together top executives and industry leaders from Southern California. The morning honored excellence in technology and security leadership across 9 award categories at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach.
“Behind every successful technology and security strategy is a CIO or CISO leading the vision,” said Tatiana Sana, SoCalCIO Chair. “The ORBIE® Awards is the ultimate recognition program for the leaders behind the work.”
“Great technology and security leaders do more than manage systems and risk. They inspire teams, accelerate transformation, and enable business success. The ORBIE finalists exemplify the leadership, vision, and execution that are advancing organizations throughout Southern California,” said Paul Miller, Chair of SoCalCISO.
“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 SoCal’s economy,” - Mark Hagan, Chair of SanDiegoCIO
Meet the 2026 SoCal ORBIE Award Winners:
About the ORBIE:
The ORBIE is the preeminent executive recognition for C-suite leaders. Since 1998, the ORBIE Awards have recognized leadership excellence, building relationships between executives and trusted business partners, and inspiring the next generation of leaders. Finalists and winners are selected through an independent peer-adjudicated process led by prior ORBIE recipients based on the following criteria:
SoCal ORBIE Keynote & Attendance:
The keynote address for the SoCal ORBIE Awards was delivered by Michael Relich, Global Retail Chief Executive, Operational Leader & Board Director, Tillys, who was interviewed by Mark Hagan, CIO & Digital Officer, AMN Healthcare. Over 400 guests attended, representing leading Southern California organizations and their technology partners.
The following partners made the 2026 SoCal ORBIE Awards possible:
To learn more about partnership opportunities and how to connect with leading C-suite executives across North America, click here.
About SoCalCIO, SoCalCISO, & SanDiegoCIO:
SoCalCIO, SoCalCISO, and SanDiegoCIO are the preeminent peer leadership networks of chief information officers (CIOs) and chief information security officers (CISOs) in Southern California. As three of over 50 chapters of the Inspire Leadership Network, SoCalCIO, SoCalCISO, and SanDiegoCIO belong to a national membership organization exclusively comprised of C-suite leaders from public and private businesses, government, education, healthcare, and nonprofit institutions.
SoCalCIO, SoCalCISO, and SanDiegoCIO are led by CIO and CISO Advisory Boards, with support from an executive director and staff. Underwriter executives support the chapter and ensure the programs remain member-led and exclusive to qualified CIOs, CISOs, and members.
About Inspire Leadership Network:
Inspire Leadership Network is the preeminent peer leadership network of C-suite executives. With over 2,000 members across over 50 chapters, Inspire members serve public and private businesses, government, education, healthcare, and non-profit institutions. Inspire exists to help leaders thrive in today’s most challenging executive roles.
Media Contact
Nicole Lammes
nicole.lammes@inspirecxo.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e81f6085-d066-4f66-b5a4-d3e20220d346