Announcing the 2025 iTnews Benchmark Awards Technology Leadership Finalists

The iTnews Benchmark Awards recognise both IT projects and leaders that are using technology to transform Australian business.

At both the Benchmark Awards conference and gala dinner, IT leaders and their teams will have the opportunity to gain recognition for their ambition, innovation and the value they have delivered to government, industry and the public.

This year we will be recognising both the projects and the people behind Australia's best IT initiatives.

The 2025 iTnews Benchmark Awards Technology Leadership Finalists are... 

Federal Government Technology Leader

Tristan Cox, Former Chief Digital Officer, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
Chris Crozier, Chief Information Officer, Defence

State Government Technology Leader

Richard Hill, Chief Information Officer, Department for Infrastructure and Transport SA
John Atkin, Commander, Digital Transformation & Reform, Northern Territory Police Force
Sherrie Killiby, Executive Director Opal Next Generation, Transport for NSW

Local Government Technology Leader

Tom Gao, Chief Technology and Digital Services Officer, City of Sydney
Dane Hamilton, Chief Information Officer, Shoalhaven City Council
Dave Burns, Chief Information Officer, Sunshine Coast Council

Finance Technology Leader

Jemma Hakobyan, Head of Information Technology Australia, Clearstream
Stevie-Ann Dovico, Chief Information Officer, Beyond Bank Australia
Jennifer Kazangi, Head of Technology, Police Bank
Vinay Lopes, Head of Technology, HSBC
Sanjeev Gupta, Chief Information and Transformation Officer, HBF Health

Industrial Technology Leader

Melanie Evans, CIO/Group Executive Digital Services, Ventia
Hema Wadhwa, Associate Director Asset Management, Performance, Data & Analytics, Aurecon
Douglas Zuzic, Chief Information Officer, ADCO Constructions

Energy Technology Leader

Caroline Williamson, General Manager - Data and Corporate Technology, Jemena
Brad Flanagan, Head of Digital Operations, Essential Energy

Education Technology Leader

Fiona Rankin, Chief Information Officer, TAFE NSW
Andrew Hottes, Chief Digital Information Officer, Cranbrook School
Sinan Erbay, Chief Information Officer, RMIT University
Andrew Roadknight, Head of Digital Initiatives, Kangan Institute
Glen Smith, Chief Technology Officer, Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst

Retail Technology Leader

John Khoury, Group Chief Technology Officer, Strandbags
Tane Oakes, Chief Technology Officer, TEG
Balamurugan P M, Chief Technology Officer, National Rugby League
Angelo Clayton, Technology Director, Woolworths Group

Telecommunications & Media Technology Leader

Rob Ison, Chief Information Officer, Vocus
Scott Favelle, Technology Director, Seven West Media

Health Technology Leader

Rachna Gandhi, Group Chief Transformation and Digital Officer, Ramsay Health Care
Geoff Quattromani, Head of Technology, Johnson & Johnson MedTech
Cameron McBride, Divisional Director, Digital Technology Services, Western Health
Bindu Maheshwari, Head of Data and Analytics, Hearing Australia
Charl Ingram, Head of Information Technology, Cura Day Hospitals Group
Paul Benitez, Chief Medical Information Officer, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network

Not for Profit Technology Leader

Sharmila Lakshmanan, Chief Information Officer, Epilepsy Foundation of Australia
Noel Toal, Chief Information Officer, DPV Health
Andrew Dome, Chief Digital Information Officer, Uniting NSW.ACT
Brett Wilson, Chief Information Officer, Australian Red Cross
Ian Robinson, Chief Information Officer, Life Without Barriers

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Congratulations to all 2025 iTnews Benchmark Awards technology leadership finalists. See the project finalists here.

The winners will be announced at the 2025 iTnews Benchmark Awards conference and gala dinner on March 27 at Doltone House, Hyde Park Sydney.