The 2026 Arizona ORBIE Awards presented Pathward’s Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Operations Officer Charles Ingram with the 2026 Enterprise ORBIE Award. Hosted by ArizonaCIO, a chapter of the Inspire Leadership Network, the ORBIE Awards honor chief information officers who drive business transformation and industry impact.
The 2026 Arizona ORBIE Awards honored CIOs for their exceptional leadership. Photo credit: Inspire Leadership Network
“Behind every technology innovation is a CIO leading the vision and shaping the strategy,” said Kris Singleton, ArizonaCIO Chair, in a news release. “The ORBIE Awards are the ultimate recognition program for the leaders behind the work.”
Ingram leads Pathward’s Information Technology, Security, Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, Product Management, and Strategic Business Operations and Business Transformation. He and his team have transformed Pathward’s technology organization, delivering on strategic initiatives such as rebranding as Pathward, modernizing infrastructure, and developing major business applications to enable revenue generation. Since joining Pathward in 2020, Ingram has built a team of top talent that plays a vital role in strengthening the company, embracing the potential of AI, leveraging data as a strategic asset, and continuing to innovate at scale. Under his leadership, the team helps position Pathward as a trusted sponsor bank that enables payments companies and fintechs to thrive.
The 2026 Arizona ORBIE Awards honored Charles Ingram with the 2026 Enterprise ORBIE. Photo credit: Inspire Leadership Network
“Technology is advancing rapidly, and the financial services industry is among those undergoing transformation. Pathward partners with others to expand access to financial services for people and businesses that traditional banking products and services have often overlooked. I am grateful for ArizonaCIO’s recognition, and this honor belongs to the Pathward team for their hard work, ingenuity and commitment to our purpose of financial inclusion,” said Ingram.
Ingram was a founding advisory board member of the ArizonaCIO Council and is a recognized thought leader in the financial services industry.
Read more about the 2026 Arizona ORBIE Awards in Inspire Leadership Network’s news release published on GlobeNewswire.
View finalists, partners and more on the Digital ORBIE Feature.
The ORBIE Award
The ORBIE® has been presented to every winner since the inception of the Awards in 1998. The ORBIE Award is synonymous with the excellence the Award represents, meticulously handcrafted from steel and crystal - symbols of honor and achievement. The ORBIE signifies exceptional leadership, innovation, and vision; representing the characteristics and qualities that inspire others to achieve their potential.
About ArizonaCIO
ArizonaCIO is the preeminent peer leadership network of chief information officers (CIOs) in Arizona. As one of over 40 chapters of the Inspire Leadership Network, ArizonaCIO belongs to a national membership organization exclusively comprised of C-suite leaders from public and private businesses, government, education, healthcare, and nonprofit institutions.
ArizonaCIO is led by a CIO Advisory Board, with support from an executive director and staff. Underwriter executives support the chapter and ensure the programs remain exclusive to qualified CIOs and members.
About Inspire Leadership Network:
Inspire Leadership Network is the preeminent peer leadership network of C-suite executives. With nearly 2,000 members across more over 50 local chapters, Inspire members serve public and private businesses, government, education, healthcare, and non-profit institutions. Inspire exists to help leaders thrive in today’s most challenging executive roles.
Video credit: Inspire Leadership Network
