Babson CIO Patty Patria Earns ORBIE Award for Technology Leadership

Patty Patria poses for a photo with her ORBIE and the award presenter
Listen

Led by Chief Information Officer Patty Patria, Babson College’s Information Technology Services Department (ITSD) has made a major impact on campus and become a technology leader in higher education over the past two years. 

Patria was honored recently for her leadership and ITSD’s transformative work, earning a prestigious 2024 ORBIE Award from BostonCIO

Patria earned the Nonprofit & Public Sector ORBIE for government, education, and nonprofit organizations. She was presented the award at a ceremony at the Westin Copley Place, alongside winners in six other categories, including tech leaders from John Hancock, Travelers, and L.L. Bean. 

“I’m shocked and honored. There are so many amazing CIOs in this room. This is such an incredible award and pleasure,” Patria said in her acceptance speech, thanking her team at Babson. “I have the best team in higher ed.” 

Under Patria’s leadership, ITSD also was named a CIO 100 Award winner earlier this year for its impressive advancements the past two years, including upgrading aging infrastructure, reducing institutional risk, developing an IT strategic road map, and implementing major classroom upgrades, helping to build a comprehensive AI strategy, among many other accomplishments. 


“I am grateful to work in an entrepreneurial environment with so many amazing colleagues that embrace innovation and change.”
Patty Patria, Babson Chief Information Officer

“Receiving this year’s Boston ORBIE was a great honor for me personally, but more importantly, it was a testament to the transformational work my team has achieved in the last two years, and I can’t thank them enough,” Patria said. “I am grateful to work in an entrepreneurial environment with so many amazing colleagues that embrace innovation and change.”  

Patria, who joined Babson in August 2022, also was a ORBIE finalist last year in the Corporate category. The annual ORBIE Awards program honors chief information officers and chief information security officers who have demonstrated excellence in technology leadership.  

“Great CIOs know technology moves fast, and connected leaders move faster, which makes the ORBIE Awards significant,” said Lee Anne Howe, BostonCIO chair. “Winners are selected by CIOs who understand the demands of technology leadership. Boston ORBIE Awards recognize the critical role IT leadership plays fostering innovation and driving the growth of New England’s leading companies.” 

Posted in Community, Outcomes

More from Community »

Latest Stories

Warren Buffett
Buffett Retires: Babson Professors Highlight Lessons from a Historic Transition Warren Buffett’s retirement is more than a milestone, Babson thought leaders say. It’s also a masterclass in thoughtful succession and cultural continuity.
By
Hillary Chabot
Writer
Hillary Chabot
Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.
May 30, 2025

Posted in Community, Insights

Zainabou Thiam ’28 sits at a table selling products to waiting customers
Paying Homage to One’s Ancestors Through Entrepreneurship Zainabou Thiam ’28 was raised in the values of Senegal. With the help of Babson, she’s growing her venture, Sunu Body, an African-inspired skin care and wellness brand.
By
John Crawford
Senior Journalist
John Crawford
A writer for Babson Thought & Action and the Babson Magazine, John Crawford has been telling the College’s entrepreneurial story for more than 15 years. Assignments for Babson have taken him from Rwanda to El Salvador, from the sweet-smelling factory of a Pennsylvania candy maker, to the stately Atlanta headquarters of an NFL owner, to the bustling office of a New York City fashion designer. Beyond his work for Babson, he has written articles and essays for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Notre Dame Magazine, The Good Men Project, and other publications. He can be found on Twitter, @crawfordwriter, where he tweets about climate change.
May 29, 2025

Posted in Entrepreneurial Leadership

The champion tennis players pose for a photo with their trophies alongside their coaches
Repeat Champs: Babson’s Doubles Team Nets Second Tennis National Title Olivia Soffer ’25 and Matia Cristiani ’26 captured their second consecutive NCAA Division III doubles national championship in women’s tennis.
By
May 28, 2025

Posted in Community