To me, strong CIO leadership means connecting technology, people and strategy, and turning technology into tangible business value." As CIO of Dura Vermeer, Ilze Cools has further evolved IT from a primarily supporting function into a strategic partner for the organisation. Dura Vermeer is building a modern, secure and future-ready foundation for data-driven operations, AI, and digital innovation.

For Ilze, impact goes beyond technology alone. It is about understanding the business, collaborating with people across the organisation, and bringing them along on the transformation journey. By connecting technology, people, and strategy, she is driving a digital transformation that is not only successful, but also sustainably embedded within the organisation.

The nomination highlights the growing importance of the CIO role at a time when technology is becoming an increasingly integral part of organisations' strategic direction. The award looks beyond technology itself, recognising leadership, business impact, and the ability to translate digital developments into tangible organisational results.

We warmly congratulate Ilze and the Dura Vermeer team on this nomination and wish them every success in the lead-up to the CIO of the Year Award, which will be presented during CIODAY 2026 on 24 November in Nieuwegein.