2026 Emerging Innovator Award Application

The Emerging Innovator Award honors rising operations and technology professionals who are shaping the future of financial services through bold thinking and impactful innovation. This award recognizes individuals who are leveraging technology and AI to develop creative, efficient, and scalable solutions that enhance investor outcomes and transform operational practices.

Presented by SIFMA’s Operations & Technology Steering Committee, this award highlights the next generation of leaders committed to continuous advancement, fresh perspectives, and meaningful progress across our industry. The 2026 honoree will be recognized in January.

Eligibility Criteria

Nominees must:

Be an operations or technology professional with fewer than 10 years of experience in the financial services industry.
Be a SIFMA member from a financial institution, industry service provider, or external counsel/vendor supporting the sector.
Demonstrate tangible, sustainable results through innovation, collaboration, or process transformation.
Play an active role in driving change, whether through direct implementation or strategic support of new tools, systems, or models.

Evaluation Categories

Nominees will be assessed based on:

Innovation: Creativity in designing, applying, or advancing new solutions that address operational challenges or enhance efficiency.
Thought Leadership: Forward-thinking ideas that contribute to the industry’s evolution in technology, data, and modernization.
Impact: Demonstrated, measurable results such as improved processes, scalability, cost savings, risk mitigation, or investor benefits.
Collaboration & Influence: Ability to lead, inspire, and work across teams or with external partners to foster a culture of innovation.

Nominations are due by Friday, December 11, 2026.

For questions, please contact Jen Dominguez at jdominguez@sifma.org.

Nominee Information:

1. Full Name of Nominee: *This question is required.

2. Title: *This question is required.

3. Company/Organization: *This question is required.

4. Email Address: *This question is required. This question requires a valid email address.

5. Phone Number: *This question is required.

6. Nominee's LinkedIn Profile: *This question is required.

7. Years of Experience in Financial Services:

(must be fewer than 10)

Sponsoring Managing Director

8. Sponsoring MD Full Name: *This question is required.

9. Company/Organization: *This question is required.

10. Email Address: *This question is required. This question requires a valid email address.

Nominator Information (if different):

11. Full Name of Nominator:

12. Title:

13. Company/Organization:

14. Email Address: This question requires a valid email address.

15. Phone Number:

16. What is your relationship to the nominee?

Innovation & Impact

17. Describe the innovation(s) the nominee has developed or contributed to.
Include what challenge it addressed and how it improved or transformed a process, system, or outcome. *This question is required.

18. How has the nominee’s work demonstrated tangible and sustainable impact?
Include measurable outcomes such as improved efficiency, cost savings, risk reduction, scalability, or client/investor benefits. *This question is required.

19. What role did the nominee play in implementing or supporting this innovation? Was it a direct leadership or execution role, or more of a strategic, advisory, or collaborative role? *This question is required.

Thought Leadership & Collaboration

20. In what ways has the nominee advanced thought leadership or contributed fresh perspectives to your
organization or the broader industry? (E.g., presentations, white papers, internal forums, mentoring, or participation in industry groups) *This question is required.

21. How has the nominee worked across teams or with external partners to promote innovation and drive
change? (Provide examples of collaboration, influence, or efforts to create a culture of innovation.) *This question is required.

Summary

22. Why do you believe this nominee represents the next generation of leaders in financial operations and technology? *This question is required.

Uploads
(optional)

23. Please upload nominees' resume:

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24. Please upload any supporting documents (e.g., presentations, project overviews, endorsements, metrics dashboards).

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All information provided in connection with this nomination will be made available to the SIFMA Operations & Technology Steering Committee Leadership and SIFMA staff responsible for administering the Emerging Innovator Award.