Five Canadian Winners Recognized for IT Innovation and Leadership in 2026 Info-Tech Awards
Info-Tech Research Group's annual awards program has named five Canadian recipients whose achievements for 2026 span organizational innovation, IT process improvement, and leadership that supports the advancement of women in technology. The honourees represent municipal government, financial services, manufacturing, and higher education.
TORONTO, Oct. 13, 2026 /CNW/ -- Info-Tech Research Group has announced the Canadian winners of its 2026 Info-Tech Awards, recognizing achievements across the country that have strengthened IT performance and its contribution to organizational success this year. The 2026 Canadian recipients include The Regional Municipality of Durham and leaders from Manulife, City of Brampton, Premier Tech, and Yorkville University.
The annual program celebrates both individual leadership and organizational innovation through its Leader of the Year and Innovator of the Year streams. Recipients are selected through an evaluation process that draws on diagnostic data, nomination forms, and interviews, with criteria specific to each category.
"Creating a more capable IT organization means paying equal attention to processes and the people who carry them out," says Info-Tech Research Group's Chief Global Services Officer, Hannes Scheidegger. "This year's Canadian recipients bring those priorities into focus through their achievements in innovation, operational improvement, and leadership. Their contributions set an example for others working to strengthen IT performance and create opportunities for the next generation of technology leaders."
The five recipients for Canada are among 68 total award recipients recognized worldwide in 2026. Canadian honourees were recognized in both the North America Large and Enterprise Division and the North America Small and Medium Division, reflecting the breadth of achievements across organizations of different sizes.
2026 Info-Tech Awards Canadian Winners
The Canadian winners of the 2026 Info-Tech Awards were recognized across three categories: Innovator of the Year, Women Leading IT, and IT Excellence. Together, their success highlights the contributions of IT leaders and teams across the nation to organizational innovation, operational effectiveness, and the ongoing evolution of the profession.
2026 Innovator of the Year Award
The Innovator of the Year Award honours organizations that deliver impactful, technology-driven initiatives to solve business challenges, improve efficiency, and set new standards.
The following Canadian organization has earned this year's Innovator of the Year award:
- North America – Large and Enterprise Division
- The Regional Municipality of Durham
2026 Women Leading IT Award
The Women Leading IT Award celebrates women who have elevated innovation, inclusive leadership, and mentorship within their organizations and across the broader industry, helping to shape the next generation of leaders.
Canada's 2026 Women Leading IT award recipient is:
- North America – Large and Enterprise Division
- Dawn Borent, Head of Retirement Technology Transformation, Manulife
2026 IT Excellence Award
The IT Excellence Award spotlights leaders who have demonstrated measurable improvements in IT processes and operational effectiveness, based on progress between assessments in Info-Tech's IT Management & Governance Diagnostic.
This year's Canadian recipients are:
- North America – Large and Enterprise Division
- Medhanie Tekeste, Chief Information Officer, City of Brampton
- Pierre-Luc Simard, Vice President, Information Technology, Premier Tech
- North America – Small and Medium Division
- Jassi Kaur, Chief Information Officer, Yorkville University
For more information about the Info-Tech Awards and the complete list of global winners, please visit the 2026 Info-Tech Awards page.
To request interviews or expert commentary from Info-Tech's experts on the evolving role of IT leadership and innovation in Canada, please contact [email protected].
About Info-Tech Research Group
Info-Tech Research Group is the "get things done" partner for over 30,000 IT, HR, and marketing leaders worldwide. The fastest growing research and advisory firm, Info-Tech enables leaders to make well-informed decisions and transform their organizations through AI, strategic foresight, step-by-step methodologies, practical tools, industry-leading advisory, and training programs. For nearly 30 years, tens of thousands of private and public organizations have trusted Info-Tech to lead their most important initiatives through periods of change and deliver outcomes that truly matter.
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SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group
Media Contact: Sufyan Al-Hassan, PR Director, Info-Tech Research Group, [email protected] | +1 (888) 670-8889 x2418
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