The City of Raleigh’s Chief Information Security Officer, Marina Kelly, has been named a recipient of the CISOs Connect 2025 CISOs Top Accelerated 100 CISOs (A100) award. This marks Kelly’s second consecutive year receiving this honor and she is one of only two municipal CISOs to be included in the list.
The CISO A100 Award recognizes emerging cybersecurity leaders who have served as CISOs or in equivalent roles for less than five years. Recipients are selected through a transparent, merit-based process led by experienced CISOs. The awardees demonstrate leadership potential, innovation, and a commitment to collaboration in addressing 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.”
Award candidates are recognized for their ability to navigate the evolving cybersecurity landscape while aligning technology with business strategy. They also contribute through professional involvement, mentoring, and volunteerism. The A100 awards build on the prestige of the industry’s C100 awards by highlighting integrity and excellence among future cybersecurity leaders.
“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 community for senior cybersecurity leaders and experts. It provides a peer-driven space for sharing insights, conducting research, and advancing professional growth. Members collaborate on critical challenges and strengthen leadership capabilities in a private setting.
