Highlights from the 2025 GeorgiaCMO ORBIE Awards
This morning at The Starling Atlanta Midtown, hundreds of marketing leaders gathered to celebrate the best of the best at the 2025 GeorgiaCMO ORBIE Awards—a signature event recognizing the CMOs who are shaping the future of marketing and driving transformation across industries.
As someone who has spent years at the intersection of marketing, leadership, and innovation, I left today’s event both inspired and energized by the caliber of talent and the sense of community in the room. The GeorgiaCMO ORBIEs are more than an awards ceremony—they’re a reminder that great marketing leadership isn’t about campaigns or channels; it’s about trust, transformation, and impact.
Honoring Georgia’s Most Exceptional Marketing Leaders
This year’s ORBIE Awards recognized six remarkable executives whose leadership exemplifies the best of our profession:
Julie Bowerman, CMO, Kellanova – Leadership ORBIE
Molly Battin, SVP & CMO, The Home Depot – Super Global ORBIE
Cary Bainbridge, SVP & CMO, ABM Industries – Global ORBIE
Melanie Isbill, Chief Brand Officer, RaceTrac, Inc. – Large Enterprise ORBIE
Kathryn DeLia, CMO, Cherry Bekaert – Enterprise ORBIE
Sheri Barros, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, ZERO Prostate Cancer – Corporate ORBIE
Each of these leaders has not only elevated their brands but also demonstrated how purpose-driven marketing can influence culture, community, and business results.
Key Themes: Leadership, Transformation, and Connection
In his opening remarks, Ron McMurtrie, Chair of GeorgiaCMO, captured the spirit of the event perfectly:
“Great CMOs drive transformation through meaningful, trusted relationships.”
That idea resonated throughout the morning—whether through the keynote conversation between Julie Bowerman and Eric Firer of Kellanova, or the stories shared by peers across industries. The event reinforced that modern marketing leadership is as much about listening and collaboration as it is about creativity and performance.
A Thriving Community of Marketing Leaders
The ORBIEs were made possible thanks to the collective support of Georgia’s marketing community and sponsors, including Between Pixels, Manley Creative, Yext, PwC, and others. With more than 180 attendees, the energy in the room reflected Georgia’s growing reputation as a national hub for marketing innovation and executive leadership.
As part of the Inspire Leadership Network, GeorgiaCMO connects CMOs from across sectors—public and private, enterprise and nonprofit—to learn from one another and elevate the craft of marketing leadership. Today’s event reminded all of us that while tools and technologies evolve, the heart of marketing remains deeply human.
Final Reflections
Leaving the 2025 GeorgiaCMO ORBIE Awards, I was struck by a shared sense of optimism. Marketing has never been more complex or fast-moving—but it’s also never been more exciting. The leaders recognized today are proving that when CMOs combine strategic vision with empathy and innovation, they don’t just grow brands—they transform entire organizations.
Congratulations to all the finalists, winners, and the GeorgiaCMO team for another outstanding celebration of marketing excellence.
