The MIT Sloan CIO Symposium seeks nominations for this year's MIT Sloan CIO Leadership Award, which honors CIOs who lead their organizations by delivering business value and innovative use of IT in exceptional ways. The 2015 Award recipients will be honored during a VIP dinner preceding the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium on May 20, 2015. 

Nominees must hold the title of Chief Information Officer (CIO) or equivalent. They must be the highest-level IT leader in the organization. Past award winners include:

• F. Thaddeus Arroyo, CIO, AT&T Services, Inc. - 2014
• Scott Blanchette, SVP, Information & Technology Services, Vanguard Health - 2013 
• Chris Perretta, EVP and CIO, State Street - 2012
• Catherine Bruno, CIO, Eastern Maine Healthcare - 2012
• Marco Orellana, CIO, Codelco - 2011

JUDGING CRITERIA: 
Key characteristics of CIO leadership include:

Strong Communicator - Articulates a vision for strategic business value from IT and works across the organization to build partnership around this vision. Focuses communications on value and innovation, not technology. Helps all IT staff to understand the business and speak the language of business leaders.

Proven Manager ("Cheap Information Officer") - Clearly demonstrates value-for-money in the management of core IT services - providing the right services at the right price and the right level of quality. Recognized among peers as an effective leader of the IT unit.

Value Driver ("Chief Improvement Officer") - Understands the business and needs of the CEO, CFO, Line-of-Business heads and other senior executives. Ensures clear focus on potential and realized value in all IT initiatives. Incorporates IT into business decision-making by participating in key strategic conversations, suggesting innovative uses of IT, and managing risk.

Trusted Partner ("CIO-Plus") - Exercises authority beyond IT itself. Considered a trusted member of the senior executive team, not just a technology leader. Suggests innovative uses of IT to transform the business - and successfully executes the changes. May receive additional non-IT responsibilities such as Chief Operating Officer or VP of Strategy, or strategic temporary roles such as Head of M&A integration.

Deadline:

Applications are due February 28. Information about the award and the online application can be found at http://www.mitcio.com/award. Please contact award@mitcio.com with any questions about the application process.