Nomination Guidelines    |    Award Selection    |    Award Presentation    |    Award Categories

2025 Award Nominations Are Closed

The PayTech Women (PTW) Awards Program annually recognizes payments industry professionals for outstanding service to the profession. It is an excellent opportunity to highlight the exceptional accomplishments of our members.

These prestigious awards are designed to encourage and honor significant contributions that support the PayTech Women mission and values. We encourage all members to participate in the PTW awards and recognition program at some point in their careers.

Nomination Submission Guidelines and Criteria

1. Nominees must be a member of PayTech Women to be eligible.
2. Previous award winners are not eligible to receive other PTW awards within a two-year period. 
3. The nominator is responsible for assuring that all required documentation is collected for the nominee. Incomplete submissions may adversely impact the Award Selection Committee’s ability to evaluate a nominee adequately and fully.
4. Award submissions may be self-nominated or nominated by another PTW member or by a PTW corporate champion.
   
5. Awards Selection Committee members are ineligible to be considered for awards while serving.
6. Submit only one nomination per category.
7. A nomination letter should illustrate the nominee’s contribution to the success or enhancement of PayTech Women's mission and values. While the minimum word count is 150 words for nominations, your nominee is more likely to stand out to the awards committee if you provide details in 500-700 words. Be sure to have concrete examples of accomplishments. Additionally, completion of the supplemental application form is required. Please list the nominees name, email address and award nomination category at the top of the letter. If self-nominated, the application form should be included with the submission. All nominees will be contacted to complete the supplemental application form following the formal nomination process. 
8. For our corporate awards, businesses are required to provide employee headcount data and a statement verifying internal initiatives that showcase the work the organization is doing to further enhance the PTW mission. A letter of support from your CEO or executive sponsor is also required. 
9. All nomination materials become the property of PayTech women. Materials cannot be returned.
10. Nomination applications that do not follow instructions and provide the required supporting materials will be disqualified. 

Read "How to Write a Winning Award Nomination"

Award Selection

Award Presentation

Additional award benefits include:

2025 Awards Categories  

Individual Impact Champion Award

The Individual Impact Champion Award honors a standout individual who has made meaningful and measurable contributions to creating a more inclusive workplace. This individual demonstrates a commitment to advancing opportunities for women and embodies leadership through action, innovation and sustained impact within their organization during the past year.

Eligibility:

• Nominee is a PayTech Women member.
• Nominee hasn’t received an award from PTW within the last two years. 
• Nominee is currently working in the payments and fintech industry.

Note: PayTech Women Board Members are not eligible for this award.

• Leadership & Influence: Has the nominee demonstrated strong, values-based leadership within the organization? Is she actively involved in women’s initiatives or employee resource groups? Does she inspire, mentor or empower others to reach their full potential? Does she set a strong example for others to follow?
• Support for Women’s Advancement: How has the nominee created meaningful opportunities for other women within her team, department or organization? Has she contributed to improving gender equity, increasing representation or fostering a culture that supports women's growth and success?
• Initiative & Innovation: Is the nominee continuously looking for new and impactful ways to advance inclusion and equity? Has she led or contributed to programs or efforts that create measurable and lasting change? Does she demonstrate a forward-thinking commitment to progress?

Lean In To Lead Award

The Lean In To Lead Award is given to a PayTech Women member who has significantly stepped forward to take a leadership role by adding ideas, expertise and support that directly champion one of PTW’s strategic objectives.

Eligibility:

• Nominee is a PayTech Women member.
• Nominee actively serves on a PTW priority team, task force and committee.
• Nominee is an active volunteer who attends regular committee, task force or priority team meetings.
• Nominee attends at least one PayTech Women event during the year. PTW staff will provide attendance report to award committees.

Note: PayTech Women Board Members are not eligible for this award.

• Leadership: Has the nominee taken on a leadership role within a PayTech Women priority team, task force or committee? Has the nominee surpassed expectations as a volunteer? Has she stepped up to offer her expertise, gone above and beyond the call of duty to provide support to the volunteer priority team, task force or committee?
• Impact: How has this volunteer made a significant impact to the PayTech Women organization during their time as a volunteer? How have their efforts increased the strategic mission and values of the PTW organization (Have their efforts increased any of the following priorities: business development, member recruitment and engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion, event and content strategy)?

Game Changer Award

The Game Changer Award is given to a PayTech Women member who has impacted the industry and demonstrates a commitment to furthering our mission by exemplifying outstanding leadership and encouragement to other PTW members. A PayTech Women member who has, through strategic thinking, audacious goal setting, outstanding leadership, commitment and attention to the details, moved mountains and doesn't take "no" for an answer. In doing so, nominee moves PTW forward to stand on the new ground toward realizing our mission and vision.

Eligibility:

• Nominee is a PayTech Women member.
• Nominee actively serves on a PTW priority team, task force and committee.
• Nominee is an active volunteer who attends regular committee, task force or priority team meetings.
• Nominee actively participates in PayTech Women events. PTW staff will provide attendance report to award committees.
• Nominee has represented PTW at a national and local level through industry events and/or chapter events.

Note: PayTech Women Board Members are not eligible for this award.

Criteria:

• Leadership and Influence: How has this nominee made an impact in the payments industry? How has this nominee championed at least one initiative that supports PayTech Women’s mission?
• Impact: How has this nominee helped PTW move forward to new levels of service to advance membership, sponsors and the industry as a whole? Can you provide examples of how this nominee expands PayTech Women’s resources, both financial and relational, by bringing in new partnerships and members? Does this nominee work closely with other PTW leaders and staff to ensure goals are set and met?

Emerging Trendsetter Award

The Emerging Trendsetter Award celebrates an individual 40 years or younger with a bright future in the payments industry. This individual displays their commitment and energy to improving the industry.

Eligibility:

• Nominee is a PayTech Women member.
• Nominee is 40 years old or younger.

Note: PayTech Women Board Members are not eligible for this award.

Criteria:

• Leadership and Commitment: Does this nominee demonstrate strong leadership potential and if so, how? How has this individual displayed their commitment and energy?
• Impact: Has she has significantly contributed to the advancement of women in the payments and fintech industry by promoting gender equity at the leadership level and if so, how? Does she celebrate and champion the achievements of women in the industry? Is she a forward-thinking leader? Can you describe how she is making an impact in the industry?

Advocate Award

This award honors a man who has gone above and beyond in supporting the advancement of women in the workplace and across the industry. Through his actions, he demonstrates a clear commitment to gender equity and exemplifies the mission of PayTech Women by standing alongside women as a trusted partner and champion for change.

Eligibility:

• Open to all individuals who identify as men. PTW membership is not required.

Criteria:

• Supporting Women’s Advancement: Has the nominee taken intentional steps to open doors for women in their organization or the broader industry? Consider mentorship, sponsorship, speaking up in rooms where women are underrepresented, and creating access to leadership opportunities.
• Partnership in Action: How does this individual collaborate with and support women in meaningful, sustained ways? Has he helped shift culture, uplift women’s voices or create space for inclusive decision-making?
• Leadership for Equity: Has the nominee used his influence or platform to promote gender equity within his organization? Has he taken initiative to lead or support programs that challenge bias, address gaps or foster more inclusive workplaces?
• Alignment with PTW’s Mission and Values: Does this individual consistently model the values of PayTech Women through his words, actions and presence in the industry? 

Founders Award

The Founders Award is a prestigious award presented to one or more distinguished members by the founders of PayTech Women. The nominee is a PayTech Women member who has gone above and beyond to further the PTW mission. This individual has demonstrated outstanding service to PayTech Women by giving their time, talents and resources as a member to further the goals and objectives of the organization's mission.

Criteria:

• Nominee is a PayTech Women member for a minimum of five years. Board members are eligible for this award.
• Nomination is required and can only be made by founders or board members.
• Nominee must have demonstrated a continuing interest in and support of the organization through contribution of time, talent and/or resources to the mission and values of PayTech Women, and have gone above and beyond their role within PTW to make a difference to the organization.
• Nominee must have a record of attending PTW activities such as webinars, live events and/or Chapter LinkUp events.

Note: The Founders will choose these award winner(s). When the Founders are no longer able to participate, we will move the selection of the award to the Awards Committee but keep the same criteria.

Presidents Award

The Presidents Award is given by the PayTech Women Past Presidents to board member(s) to recognize distinguishable accomplishments. The nominee has greatly contributed to advancing the PTW mission.

Criteria:

• Nominee is a PayTech Women Board member.
• Nomination is required and can only be made by another board member, founder or past president.
• Nominee is viewed as a trendsetter within the industry.
• Nominee has significantly “opened the door” to assist PayTech Women in member growth (provided leads for new individual and/or corporate members).
• Nominee paves the way for the next generation by mentorship, allyship and/or sponsorship.
• Nominee is an advocate for PTW but also champions the core values and mission across the industry and within their organization.

Note: The Past Presidents will select the award recipients.

Helping Hand Award

The Helping Hand Award recognizes an organization that exemplifies exceptional leadership in fostering inclusive workplace culture and stands up for PayTech Women’s mission and values. This award honors companies that integrate inclusive practices and advance equity across their workplace and industry. Each year, organizations are recognized in the following categories: Start Up/Small Business/ISO (1-99 employees), Mid Size (100-2,000 employees) and Enterprise (2,001⁺ employees).

Eligibility:

• Organization must be a current PayTech Women member.

• Organization must be able to provide employee headcount data

Criteria: 

• Executive Commitment & Accountability: Does leadership visibly support inclusive and equitable culture? This includes a letter of support from the CEO or Executive Sponsor affirming the organization’s values; shared goals or metrics tied to inclusive practices, linked to leadership accountability; and accessibility of inclusive training, resources and programs for all employees.

• Inclusive Workplace Practices: Has the organization created structures that support equity and belonging? This includes clearly articulated goals and initiatives to broaden leadership representation; mentoring, sponsorship or development programs designed to support diverse talent; and policies and practices that foster a sense of belonging for all employees.

• Industry & Community Impact: Is the organization making a broader contribution beyond its walls? This includes demonstrated progress toward increasing workplace inclusivity; community partnerships or outreach efforts that support broader industry inclusion and equity; honest reflection on challenges faced and how those learnings informed sustainable improvements; and concrete examples of how the organization “pays it forward” by uplifting others.

Chapter of the Year Award

The Chapter of the Year Award will be presented during our annual Town Hall in January. This new timing allows us to celebrate the full impact of each chapter’s work throughout the entire calendar year. We look forward to recognizing outstanding chapter contributions at our January 2026 Town Hall! .

Corporate Champions Recognition 

Corporate Champions will be celebrated for their dedication and impact on the PTW community with recognition at the Summit. To be considered for this recognition, champions must complete two key tasks: updating their corporate profile and providing detailed organizational information. This acknowledgment will all who have gone above and beyond in their engagement and support of PTW's mission.

Nominations Closed by Sept. 19