AWARDS & RECOGNITION

We honour and celebrate women who are making waves in the global payments ecosystem. Our awards program recognizes the achievements of women who have distinguished themselves as leaders, innovators, rising stars, and consummate professionals.

Our USA Awards Committee, comprised of seasoned talent from across the payments industry, will review all nominations and select the recipients. These distinguished women will be honored at our 2027 USA Symposium, Washington, DC.

Please note:

• EACH NOMINEE CAN ONLY BE NOMINATED FOR ONE AWARD CATEGORY, DUPLICATE NOMINATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

• A MAXIMUM OF ONE NOMINEE PER CATEGORY PER ORGANIZATION.

• SELF NOMINATIONS ARE NOT ALLOWED.

• EACH NOMINEE SUBMITTED MUST RESIDE IN THE USA region.

• Individuals who have previously won in a given category are not eligible for nomination in that same category at future symposia.

ELIGIBILITY

Open to nominees from organizations founded prior to 2016 and has more than 500 employees.

CRITERIA

• Develops and implements innovative solutions that challenge existing practices, modernize payment capabilities, and create meaningful improvements for customers, businesses, or the broader ecosystem within the payment industry.
• Demonstrates exceptional problem-solving skills by identifying complex challenges and developing creative, practical solutions. Leverages new knowledge, technology, or innovative approaches to address business or industry needs, enhance customer experiences, and improve systems, products, programs, processes, or policies.
• Anticipates future industry needs and leverages emerging technologies, new approaches, or creative problem-solving to position the organization for continued evolution.
• Successfully brings together diverse teams and stakeholders to transform ideas into practical, scalable solutions; and is widely recognized for her expertise and actively works to empower others.

ELIGIBILITY

Open to nominees from organizations founded within the last 10 years with fewer than 500 employees who have disrupted existing payments approaches.

CRITERIA

• Develops and implements innovative solutions that challenge existing practices, modernize payment capabilities, and create meaningful improvements for customers, businesses, or the broader ecosystem within the payment industry.

• Demonstrates exceptional problem-solving skills by identifying complex challenges and developing creative, practical solutions. Leverages new knowledge, technology, or innovative approaches to address business or industry needs, enhance customer experiences, and improve systems, products, programs, processes, or policies.

• Anticipates future industry needs and leverages emerging technologies, new approaches, or creative problem-solving to position the organization for continued evolution.

• Successfully brings together diverse teams and stakeholders to transform ideas into practical, scalable solutions; and is widely recognized for her expertise and actively works to empower others.

CRITERIA

• Demonstrates the ability to anticipate industry shifts, challenge existing approaches, and identify opportunities for meaningful transformation. Has led initiatives, strategies, or movements that disrupted traditional ways of working and created measurable impact within their organization or the broader payments ecosystem.

• Is a visionary leader who creates a compelling vision for the future and inspires others to take action. Demonstrates the ability to mobilize teams, influence stakeholders, and drive adoption of new ideas, technologies, or approaches that advance the payments industry.

• Has shown steadfastness in navigating projects, leading teams and/or accomplishing goals, despite difficulty or roadblocks to achieving success. Has high integrity and sets high professional standards for ethics and quality of work. Has contributed to a positive and supportive learning environment by encouraging diversity of people and opinions.

• Is widely recognized for her expertise and skill in leading teams and building consensus. Actively works to empower others and leads by example. Motivates members of her team, organization, or industry. Has contributed to a positive and supportive learning environment by encouraging diversity of people and opinions.

CRITERIA

• Actively champions the advancement of women and underrepresented talent within and beyond their organization. Challenges traditional pathways to leadership by creating opportunities, removing barriers, and advocating for more diverse representation at all levels. She is a strong role model and diverse empowerment, encouraging the hiring and promotion of strong talent with diversity in mind.

• Drives meaningful change by influencing policies, practices, or workplace culture that foster equity and inclusion. Challenges the status quo and creates environments where all individuals have equal opportunities to contribute, grow, and lead.

• Creates opportunities for learning, mentorship, sponsorship, and career development that empower women and diverse talent. Shares knowledge and actively equips others with the confidence, skills, and networks needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving industry.

• Builds partnerships across teams, organizations, and the wider industry to advance diversity and inclusion. Mobilizes others to share ideas, champion inclusive practices, and work collectively to create lasting, meaningful change.

CRITERIA

• Has shown courage in the face of adversity to drive change and support others in her organization, industry, or the community at large. Uses her voice and platform to support equity and inclusion in the community at large. Demonstrates leadership, vision, and resilience to bring about positive change in the community within her organization and/or industry, through education, advocacy, mentorship, or social initiatives.

• Creates positive and measurable impact on individuals, groups, or communities within and outside her own company. May include community education, financial literacy, volunteering, or industry-wide mentorship. Drives initiatives that promote growth, inclusion, or awareness in the broader ecosystem.

• Creates positive and measurable impact on individuals, groups, or communities within and outside her own company. May include community education, financial literacy, volunteering, or industry-wide mentorship. Drives initiatives that promote growth, inclusion, or awareness in the broader ecosystem.

• Demonstrates perseverance in sustaining long-term community or industry initiatives through times of uncertainty or change. Actively works to build resilience of the team, organization, or industry to support each other in times of uncertainty and profound change. Her work uplifts individuals or groups through meaningful, inclusive, and resilient leadership.

• Builds partnerships across companies, sectors, or communities to address shared challenges. Collaborates generously and supports others through mentoring, coalition-building, or collective action beyond her own organization. Acts as a mentor, advisor, and teacher to positively impact members of her organization or the payments industry.  Has contributed to a positive and supportive learning environment by encouraging diversity of people and opinions to support the greater community.

CRITERIA

• Is a strong leader and advocate for sustainability, social justice and mental health in her community within, or outside the payments industry. Is a strong resource for her knowledge and specific expertise within her organization or in the industry as a whole. Is committed to practicing and promoting sustainability principles within her realm of influence and beyond.
• Creates positive community impact by consistently seizing opportunities to steer co-workers and/or the wider industry to a place of positivity, empathy and mutual support. Leads with spirit to drive toward a positive outcome for all. Is able to pivot as circumstances change to maintain a positive direction. 
• Has shown steadfastness in navigating projects, leading teams and/or accomplishing goals, despite difficulty or changing circumstances Actively works to build resilience of the team, organization or industry to support each other in times of uncertainty and great change
• Has a clear and strong idea of what she sees for a sustainable future for her organization, her team and/or the payments industry. Believes in supporting the mental health of her colleagues and stakeholders and actively shares knowledge to promote sustainability and social justice. 
• Has taken leadership action with initiatives that supported her community, both professional and personal, in a sustainable way. Strong commitment to sustainable practices and positive mental health of her team, her organization, and those around her. Shares insights to sustainable practices for her organization, furthering the industry as a whole. 

CRITERIA

• Is able to create a strong vision and inspire a team towards achieving a goal, either in her organization or industry. Has demonstrated payments thought leadership by actively contributing to the payments debate.
• Exudes an ardent desire for growth and has a vision for the future. Actively encourages debate about the evolution of payments to shape a strong payments ecosystem. Inspires others to reach great heights of performance and success and is consistently proactive in seizing opportunities. Creates an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
• Freely shares knowledge and insights of the payments system with colleagues, industry professionals and/or outside the industry. She is a beacon of positivity in the face of challenges and failures and can uplift others through her positive outlook. Inspires others to accomplish goals, despite difficulty or roadblocks to achieving success. Inspires greatness and growth from others.
• Is widely recognized for her ability to build strong relationships and mentor others. Actively works to empower others to be positive team players and further change agents. Leads by example and motivates members of her team, organization, or industry. Acts as a mentor, advisor, and teacher, making a positive impact on members of her organization or the payments industry.

CRITERIA

• Actively contributes to the advancement and professional development of women either inside or outside his own organization and publicly celebrates the work and accomplishments of women. Leads by example—promoting and broadcasting the need for continuous support and advocacy for female talent and leadership. Is a strong role model for female empowerment, encouraging the hiring and promotion of strong female talent to build diverse and balanced teams.

• Helps support the development of women and encourages women to increase their levels of participation and engagement. Is an advocate for gender equality, including equal pay and equal opportunities for career growth.  Provides a positive forum for women to network and find mentors within the industry.

• Promotes education, career development, and mentorship opportunities, both formal and informal, for women in his organization. Actively advocates for, sponsors, and supports the advancement of women in the organization and across the industry.

• Is widely recognized for his expertise and actively works to empower others.  Leads by example and motivates members of his team, organization, or industry.  Acts as a mentor, advisor, and teacher, to make a positive impact on members of the organization or the payments industry.

• Has high integrity and sets high professional standards for ethics and quality of work.  Has contributed to a positive and supportive learning environment by encouraging diversity of people and opinions.

CRITERIA

• Has influenced industry trends, acts as a role model, and successfully reached and exceeded goals—taking her team, organization, and/or industry to the next level.

• Acts as a payments ambassador to promote a positive image of her organization, industry initiative, and the payments industry. Actively contributes to the collective success of the payments industry. Is viewed as a trusted advisor by peers and colleagues and is often a source of industry expertise.

• Is known for her personal and professional authenticity and building her career on a strong set of values. Has built strong and positive relationships with co-workers and industry stakeholders. Has high integrity and sets high professional standards for ethics and quality of work. Is seen as a role model within her organization and throughout the industry.

• Is widely recognized for her expertise and actively works to empower others. Leads by example and motivates members of her team, organization, or industry.  Acts as a mentor, advisor, and teacher to positively impact members of her organization or the payments industry. Has contributed to a positive and supportive learning environment by encouraging diversity of people and opinions.