The National CIO Review and the Executive Council of the CIO Professional Network have announced Rafael Pimentel Pinto as the 2025 CIO Cup recipient.
In its sixth year, this prestigious honor recognizes technology leaders who elevate the tech leadership community through intentional leadership and engagement and whose influence is felt across the CIO space.
Rafael’s recognition reflects his leadership, but more importantly reflects the way he shows up for others within the CIO Professional Network. His presence has been continuously felt through thoughtful participation and a genuine commitment to learning alongside his peers.
At the heart of Rafael’s involvement is a deep belief in the value of trusted community.
He views the CIO Professional Network as a space defined by respect and shared experience, an environment where leaders can challenge assumptions, grow through conversation, and navigate the realities of the role together.
Leadership Grounded in Community
Rafael’s leadership philosophy has been heavily shaped by the influence of strong peer communities. Over time, his approach has evolved from leading through control to leading through enablement, focusing on listening more closely, empowering teams, and helping individuals understand how their work fits into the bigger picture.
“I try to be a leader who inspires people by helping them understand the importance of their roles within the bigger picture and the organization’s overall goals,” Rafael shared. “Over time, my leadership style has evolved from being somewhat of a control freak to becoming more of an enabler who empowers the team.”
That evolution mirrors how Rafael engages within the CIO Professional Network.
He values environments where leaders can speak openly about real challenges, learn from one another’s experiences, and offer perspective without agenda or pretense. For him, the strength of a tech leadership community lies in its ability to reduce isolation and sharpen thinking through shared experience.
“Technology leadership can be isolating, and the best decisions are rarely made in solitude.”
Rafael Pimentel Pinto
When asked how it felt to be named the 2025 CIO Cup recipient, Rafael shared, “Being voted the CIO Cup winner this year was a genuinely meaningful and unexpected honor. The CIO Professional Network represents a unique space where trust, respect, and shared experience matter, and to be recognized by such an accomplished group of technology leaders is both humbling and deeply gratifying.”
For Rafael, giving back is inseparable from leadership.
He credits much of his own growth to mentors and peers who offered guidance at pivotal moments, and sees his involvement in the network as a way to honor that generosity.
“Giving back has become my way of expressing gratitude for the support and perspective I’ve been fortunate to receive throughout my career.”
That commitment, to connection, contribution, and shared purpose, reflects both Rafael’s leadership philosophy and the values at the core of the CIO Professional Network.
Continuing a Legacy of Leadership
Each year, the CIO Cup recognizes leaders whose influence extends beyond their own organizations and into the broader technology community. Rafael now joins a group of past recipients who have consistently shown what it means to lead with purpose and perspective:
- Dave Hatz, CTI (2024)
- Kiran Palla, Internal Revenue Service (2023)
- Harsha Bellur, James Avery Jewelry (2022)
- Lonnie Snyder, Special Olympics USA Games (2021)
- Phil Crawford, CKE Enterprises (2020)
Together, these leaders represent a shared commitment to peer connection and meaningful contribution. Rafael’s involvement reflects that same mindset, adding to the collective momentum behind the CIO Cup and the community it celebrates.
The reflections below offer a look at how past recipients view the impact of this recognition and the community behind it.
“I’m humbled and honored by this recognition, and I’m incredibly grateful for this community of peers, whose perspectives and insights continuously enrich my work. I find true value not only in sharing what I’ve learned, but also in drawing from our collective wisdom, where I can seek guidance on any challenge and, in turn, contribute to others’ growth and success.” said Hatz about receiving last year’s CIO Cup.
“Every technology leader needs peer-to-peer networking and a sounding board to openly share knowledge and experiences. With the way technology is changing so rapidly, leaders need a lot of industry knowledge to cope with change. Winning the 2023 CIO Cup was a testimony to everyday learning, professional growth and our evolution as a compassionate and empathetic executives,” shared Palla.
“I was delighted to be the recipient of the 2022 CIO Cup. Engaging with such a remarkable group is a privilege, and I’m deeply grateful for this community. Every day, I’m inspired by the innovative ideas, thought leadership, and collaborative spirit this network fosters. The CIO Professional Network continues to be an invaluable community of forward-thinking technology leaders and I’m grateful and honored for the recognition,” said Bellur about winning the cup in 2022.
“I was honored to receive the CIO Cup in 2021, and it was a very proud moment in my career. By sharing challenges, helping solve problems, and accessing amazing learning opportunities, the peers in this network have helped make me a better CIO. I am so thankful for the amazing CIO Professional network community and the community managers who pour their hearts into serving the members.” offered Snyder.
Celebrating the Community: 2025 Distinguished Members
Alongside the 2025 CIO Cup, the CIO Professional Network recognized its 2025 Distinguished Members for their contributions and dedication to the core pillars of the community.
- Jerry Heinz, Genvid
- Harsha Bellur, James Avery Jewelry
- Stephen Greco, NYC-Based Media Analytics Company
- Tim Ryan, Aegis Sciences Corporation
- William Novak, Meaden & Moore
- Beth O’Rorke, Commonwealth Care Alliance
- Kiran Palla, Anika Systems
- Lonnie Snyder, 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
- Chris Erickson, Bay State Milling Company
- Paul Zyla, Purlin Horizons
- Rusty Everhart, Fractional CIO
- Lonnie Garris, Cool Amps Corp.
Community in Action
“Rafael joined the CIO Professional Network just this year, but you’d never know it. It feels like he’s been part of this community for years. From day one, he’s shown a clear understanding of what relationship-building is all about, showing up, supporting others, and engaging with real intention,” said H. Michael Burgett, founder of the CIO Professional Network.
“In a short time, he’s become one of our most engaged members, contributing thoughtfully to conversations and strengthening the community through his leadership and perspective. Rafael has a natural ability to see the bigger picture while staying deeply connected to people, and that’s exactly the kind of leadership this community exists to champion.”
About the CIO Cup
Presented by The National CIO Review in partnership with the CIO Professional Network, the CIO Cup honors technology leaders who demonstrate outstanding innovation, strategic vision, and community impact, highlighting the role of leadership and collaboration in driving progress within the tech industry.
