Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Minnesota ORBIE Awards honored eight CIO and CISO leaders from prominent Minnesota‑based organizations.
- Awards were segmented by organization size and revenue, ranging from the Leadership ORBIE to specialized CISO categories.
- John Avenson of the Minnesota Twins received the Leadership ORBIE and delivered the keynote address.
- Rashmi Kumar (Medtronic) earned the Global ORBIE for firms exceeding $6 billion in annual revenue and multinational operations.
- The event attracted over 500 attendees and was supported by a diverse roster of underwriters, gold, silver, bronze, media, and nonprofit partners.
- MinnesotaCIO and MinnesotaCISO, chapters of the Inspire Leadership Network, administer the awards through an independent peer‑adjudicated process focused on leadership, business value, and community engagement.
- The ORBIE program, active since 1998, aims to recognize C‑suite technology and security executives, foster executive relationships, and inspire future leaders.
Overview of the 2026 Minnesota ORBIE Awards
On July 20, 2026, the Minnesota ORBIE Awards ceremony took place at the Marriott Minneapolis City Center, recognizing outstanding chief information officers (CIOs) and chief information security officers (CISOs) from Minnesota’s leading enterprises. Hosted by MinnesotaCIO and MinnesotaCISO—two chapters of the nationwide Inspire Leadership Network—the event celebrated leaders who drive business transformation through technology and security initiatives. More than 500 guests, including executives, technology partners, and industry influencers, gathered to honor the winners across eight distinct award categories. The ceremony underscored the growing strategic importance of IT and cybersecurity leadership in shaping regional economic success.
Award Categories and Criteria
The ORBIE Awards employ a peer‑adjudicated selection process overseen by past recipients, ensuring impartiality and relevance. Judges evaluate nominees on three core dimensions: leadership and management effectiveness, the business value generated by technology innovation and enterprise security initiatives, and active engagement in industry and community endeavors. This balanced framework rewards not only technical prowess but also the ability to align IT strategy with broader organizational goals and to contribute positively to the professional ecosystem.
Leadership ORBIE – John Avenson (Minnesota Twins)
John Avenson, SVP & Chief Technology Officer of the Minnesota Twins, received the Leadership ORBIE, the ceremony’s top honor recognizing exemplary overall leadership. Avenson’s tenure has been marked by the modernization of the Twins’ fan‑experience platforms, implementation of advanced analytics for player performance, and a robust cybersecurity posture that safeguards both operational and customer data. His strategic vision has positioned the Twins as a benchmark for sports‑technology integration in Major League Baseball.
Global ORBIE – Rashmi Kumar (Medtronic)
Rashmi Kumar, SVP & Chief Information Officer of Medtronic, was awarded the Global ORBIE, designated for organizations with over $6 billion in annual revenue and multinational operations. Kumar’s leadership has driven Medtronic’s digital health transformation, including the rollout of interconnected medical device ecosystems, cloud‑based data platforms for real‑time patient monitoring, and enterprise‑wide cybersecurity frameworks that meet stringent global regulatory standards. Her work exemplifies how technology can enhance clinical outcomes while maintaining rigorous security and compliance.
Large Enterprise ORBIE – Brad Reimer (Sanford Health)
Brad Reimer, CIO of Sanford Health, earned the Large Enterprise ORBIE for organizations exceeding $4 billion in annual revenue. Under Reimer’s direction, Sanford Health has accelerated its transition to a unified electronic health record system, expanded telehealth capabilities across rural Minnesota, and instituted a zero‑trust security architecture to protect sensitive health information. These initiatives have improved care coordination, reduced operational costs, and strengthened resilience against cyber threats.
Enterprise ORBIE – Robin Brown (Cirrus Aircraft)
Robin Brown, SVP of IT at Cirrus Aircraft, received the Enterprise ORBIE for organizations with over $1 billion in annual revenue. Brown’s leadership has focused on integrating advanced manufacturing technologies, such as additive manufacturing and digital twins, into Cirrus’s aircraft production lines. Additionally, she has overseen the implementation of robust cybersecurity measures to protect intellectual property and supply‑chain data, reinforcing Cirrus’s reputation for innovation and safety in the aviation sector.
Large Corporate ORBIE – Jaime Wascalus (City of Saint Paul)
Jaime Wascalus, CIO & Director of the Office of Technology & Communications for the City of Saint Paul, was honored with the Large Corporate ORBIE for entities exceeding $550 million in annual revenue. Wascalus has spearheaded the city’s smart‑city initiatives, including intelligent traffic management systems, expanded broadband access for underserved neighborhoods, and a comprehensive cybersecurity program that safeguards municipal services and citizen data. Her work illustrates how public‑sector technology leadership can enhance quality of life and operational efficiency.
Corporate ORBIE – Trevor Farnum (Data Recognition Corporation)
Trevor Farnum, CTO of Data Recognition Corporation, received the Corporate ORBIE, reserved for organizations with up to $550 million in annual revenue. Farnum’s leadership has driven the company’s shift toward cloud‑native assessment platforms, enabling scalable, secure delivery of standardized testing services to educational institutions nationwide. He has also instituted rigorous data‑privacy controls and continuous monitoring practices to protect sensitive student information amid evolving cyber threats.
CISO Large Enterprise ORBIE – Steve Jensen (Transamerica)
Steve Jensen, Global CISO of Transamerica, was recognized with the CISO Large Enterprise ORBIE for organizations exceeding $9 billion in annual revenue. Jensen’s tenure has seen the establishment of a global security operations center, adoption of AI‑driven threat detection, and a enterprise‑wide risk‑based security strategy that aligns with Transamerica’s financial services regulatory landscape. His efforts have markedly reduced incident response times and fortified the company’s defenses against sophisticated cyber adversaries.
CISO Enterprise ORBIE – Brad Abbott (Medica)
Brad Abbott, CISO of Medica, received the CISO Enterprise ORBIE for organizations up to $9 billion in annual revenue. Abbott’s leadership has focused on building a resilient cybersecurity framework that protects health‑plan data, implements advanced identity‑and‑access management, and fosters a culture of security awareness across the organization. His initiatives have helped Medica maintain compliance with HIPAA and other healthcare regulations while safeguarding member trust.
Keynote Address and Event Attendance
The keynote address was delivered by John Avenson, the Leadership ORBIE recipient, and was moderated by Rahoul Ghose, CIO of ECMC Group. Avenson shared insights on aligning technology strategy with organizational purpose, emphasizing the importance of cross‑functional collaboration, continuous learning, and proactive risk management. Over 500 attendees—representing C‑suite executives, technology vendors, academic leaders, and government officials—participated in the ceremony, fostering networking opportunities and knowledge exchange among Minnesota’s technology and security community.
Sponsorship and Partner Support
The 2026 Minnesota ORBIE Awards were made possible through the generous support of a broad spectrum of partners. Underwriters included Comcast Business, Concord, Google Cloud, TriCom, YASH Technologies, and Okta. Gold partners comprised Elisity, Enterprise Visions, Fortinet, and Wipro. Silver partners spanned AHEAD, Authority Partners, Cato Networks, Cloudflare, Evolving Solutions, Palo Alto Networks, Persistent Systems, and SentinelOne. Bronze partners featured Abnormal AI, Cognizant, Crowdstrike, Deloitte, Experis, EY, Naviant, and Versique. The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal served as the media partner, while Genesys Works acted as the nonprofit partner, underscoring the event’s commitment to both industry excellence and community impact.
About MinnesotaCIO, MinnesotaCISO, and the Inspire Leadership Network
MinnesotaCIO and MinnesotaCISO are the premier peer‑leadership networks for chief information officers and chief information security officers in Minnesota. As two of over 50 chapters of the Inspire Leadership Network, they connect C‑suite leaders from public and private businesses, government, education, healthcare, and nonprofit institutions. Governance is provided by a CIO and CISO Advisory Board, with operational support from an executive director and staff. Underwriter executives help ensure the chapters remain non‑commercial and exclusive to qualified technology and security executives.
The Inspire Leadership Network itself encompasses more than 2,000 members across over 50 chapters, serving a diverse array of sectors nationwide. Its mission is to empower leaders to thrive in today’s complex executive environment by facilitating peer learning, fostering strategic partnerships, and inspiring the next generation of technology and security leaders. Through initiatives like the ORBIE Awards, the network continues to highlight the pivotal role of IT and security leadership in driving organizational success and societal advancement.