CISOs Connect 2025 CISOs Top Accelerated 100 CISOs
City of Raleigh’s Chief Information Security Officer, Marina Kelly was chosen as a CISOs Connect 2025 CISOs Top Accelerated 100 CISOs (A100) recipient. This is Kelly’s second year of being recognized with this distinction and one of only two municipal CISOs to make the list.
The CISO A100 Award honors a diverse group of rising cybersecurity leaders who have served as CISOs (or in equivalent roles) for fewer than five years. Selected through a transparent, merit-based process led by a board of veteran CISOs, these individuals demonstrate strong leadership potential, innovation, and a commitment to collaboration in the face of shared industry threats.
“Tackling the cybersecurity challenges of a large, fast-growing city like Raleigh can often feel herculean,” said Kelly. “But every time I speak with CISOs from other organizations, I’m reminded of just how fortunate I am to work alongside the incredible team at the City of Raleigh. Our Information Security team is not only passionate and skilled—they are relentless defenders of the City’s data, services, employees and residents.”
Candidates are recognized not only for navigating the evolving cybersecurity landscape and aligning technology with business strategy, but also for giving back through professional involvement, mentoring, and volunteerism. The A100 builds on the prestige of the industry’s C100 awards, highlighting integrity and excellence in the next generation of cybersecurity leadership.
“Across departments, employees take cybersecurity seriously and consistently step up as champions of our mission,” said Kelly. “We’re also deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our executive leadership, which enables us to focus on staying ahead of threats with confidence. This A100 award is not just a recognition of one team, it’s a testament to the entire organization’s commitment to protecting what matters most. I share this honor with every one of them.”
CISOs Connect is an exclusive, invitation-only community of senior cybersecurity leaders and subject matter experts. Created and led by CISOs, it offers a trusted, peer-driven space for sharing insights, conducting original research, and advancing professional growth. Members collaborate on critical challenges, strengthen leadership capabilities, and make informed business and technology decisions in a private, non-commercial setting.