USA (Commonwealth Union)_ Three distinguished Indian American technology executives, Abhi Dhar, Sunil Cutinho, and Milind Shah, have been honored with the 2025 ChicagoCIO ORBIE Awards, recognizing their outstanding contributions to innovation, leadership, and business transformation in the tech industry. Presented by ChicagoCIO, a chapter of the Inspire Leadership Network, the ORBIE Awards are considered one of the highest accolades for chief information officers and senior technology leaders. Since 1998, these awards have celebrated excellence in executive leadership, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, innovation, and strategic vision in driving organizational success.
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The 2025 ChicagoCIO ORBIE Awards ceremony attracted nearly 450 attendees from leading Chicago-area organizations and their technology partners. The event emphasized the power of collaboration between executive leadership and technology teams in delivering measurable business impact. “Great CIOs understand how connections drive transformation,” said Kevin Boyd, Chair of ChicagoCIO, at the awards ceremony held on May 16 in Chicago. “The ORBIE Awards recognize CIOs who leverage relationships to drive innovation, solve complex challenges, and shape the future of Chicago.”
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Among this year’s honorees, Indian American Abhi Dhar, Chief Digital Officer at HealthBridge, received the Leadership ORBIE for his three decades of transformative leadership in both Fortune 50 companies and startups. Known for his ability to align digital strategies with business goals, Dhar has held key executive roles including Global CIO/CTO at TransUnion and Chief Digital Officer/CIO at Walgreens Boots Alliance. He has led billion-dollar tech initiatives, executed high-impact M\&A deals, and delivered significant shareholder value. Dhar also delivered the keynote address at the event, highlighting the evolving role of technology in shaping the business landscape.
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Sunil Cutinho, Chief Information Officer at CME Group, was awarded the Super Global ORBIE, which recognizes excellence in organizations with over $5 billion in annual revenue and global operations. Cutinho brings a wealth of experience in financial technology and risk management. Prior to becoming CIO, he served as President of CME Clearing and held several senior roles in clearing operations and enterprise architecture. His career spans major institutions including VISA International and CNA Insurance, where he developed advanced clearing solutions for complex derivatives markets.
Milind Shah, Chief Technology Officer at Xerox IT Solutions, received the Corporate ORBIE for his innovative leadership within organizations under \$500 million in annual revenue. A forward-thinking technologist and strategist, Shah has over 15 years of experience across IT and sales, with a focus on cloud architecture, solution selling, and digital transformation. His work has positively impacted a wide range of sectors, including retail, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The ORBIE Awards continue to serve as a benchmark for excellence in the tech industry, honoring leaders who deliver results and inspire future generations of executives. This year’s recognition of three Indian American technology leaders reflects the growing influence of diverse talent in shaping the future of enterprise technology. ChicagoCIO remains committed to fostering a strong peer network for technology executives, encouraging knowledge sharing and leadership development across the Chicagoland region.
