Brampton Chief Information Officer Wins 2026 IT Excellence Award

This report by Editorial team is based on information published by City of Brampton.

According to the City of Brampton, Chief Information Officer Medhanie Tekeste is a recipient of the 2026 Info-Tech IT Excellence Award. The City said he was recognized in the North America Large and Enterprise Division as one of this year Canadian recipients. The award is presented to information-technology leaders who show measurable improvement in core capabilities, strategy, operations and alignment with organizational goals.

The municipal significance is less about a trophy than about the systems residents use without seeing them. Brampton said its Corporate Strategic Plan treats technology for service delivery as a priority. Under Tekeste leadership, the information-technology team has been asked to move beyond keeping daily systems running and to support digital transformation across departments.

Changes the City listed

The City cited stronger financial accountability, including efforts to reduce software costs and improve the value obtained from technology spending. It also cited better evaluation, prioritization and management of technology projects so delivery is timely and connected to City priorities. Improved collaboration between the technology team and operating departments was another item in the release.

Cybersecurity and responsible use of new tools were also named. Brampton said it has strengthened cybersecurity capabilities and risk management to protect City systems, information and digital services. It pointed to a two-year artificial-intelligence proof-of-concept program approved by Council in October 2025 to explore how the technology could improve municipal services, internal operations and decision-making. This article uses that program description only as the City stated it; it does not assess individual projects.

Why business readers may care

Residents encounter municipal technology through permits, registrations, payments, service requests and public information. Businesses encounter it through procurement and digital services. When project selection and cybersecurity are weak, the cost appears as delay, rework or risk. When they are managed well, the benefit is less visible: systems stay available, projects finish closer to plan and public information is better protected.

The City linked the award to hundreds of nominees evaluated through a diagnostic of information-technology management and governance. Toronto Daily has summarized the City announcement only, and the official page below should be used for the full award description.