SFNet's 40 Under 40 Awards 2026
The future of secured finance is powered by fresh ideas, bold leadership, and a commitment to lasting impact. The SFNet 40 Under 40 Awards awards spotlight trailblazers who inspire colleagues, foster collaboration, and bring new energy to the markets we serve. And the impact goes beyond the honorees. Every year’s 40 Under 40 class becomes part of a legacy that motivates teams, builds connections across organizations, and galvanizes industry-wide progress.
We will accept nominations for the 2026 Awards from December 8 through February 6, 2026. Nominees and nominators must be employed by an SFNet member organization. Not sure if your organization is a member? Click here to confirm. For information on becoming an SFNet member organization, please contact James Kravitz at jkravitz@sfnet.com.
Winners will be announced in March 2026. They will be honored in the June 2026 issue of The Secured Lender and celebrated at our 2026 40 Under 40 Awards Gala in New York City on June 11.
2026 Awards Committee Chair
We were delighted to welcome back Jennifer Wallace, Loan Portfolio Manager at Wells Fargo Capital Finance and 2020 40 Under 40 Award recipient, as our 2026 Awards Chair.
2026 40 Under 40 Awards Gala
Our Gala will be held at the iconic Plaza Hotel in Manhattan. Join us as we celebrate the 2026 winners.
Past Award Winners
SFNet 40 Under 40 Award winners represent the best and the brightest in the industry.
How to Submit a Nomination
To submit a nomination, click here. Nominators must be the direct supervisor or manager
of the nominee. Nominees must not turn 40 before June 11, 2026. If you experience any issues with the awards site, contact Michele Ocejo at mocejo@sfnet.com.
Tip
Prepare your Letter of Nomination in advance (250-500 words), including:
- Career achievements
- Leadership skills (with examples)
- Community and/or industry activities such as charity work or pro bono work
- Involvement with SFNet and the secured finance community, such as chapter involvement or committee work
2026 Categories
| Business Consulting/Turnaround | Liquidation/Appraisal/Auctioneer |
| CPA Firm | Loan Documentation/Advice on Deal Structure |
| Credit Insurance | Operations |
| External Field Exam | Portfolio/Risk Management |
| Internal Field Exam | Software |
| Investment Banker/Advisor | UCC Services/Background Investigations |
| Legal Services | Underwriting |
FAQs
Can I call you or send you an email with the name of the person I'd like to nominate?
You must submit a completed nomination form, including contact information for the person you are nominating. A nomination letter as well as the nominee’s resume or LinkedIn profile is also required.
I want to nominate someone, can I remain anonymous?
Anonymous nominations will not be accepted. Nominator information will not be shared or made publicly available.
Can I nominate myself?
We do not accept self-nominations.
I want to nominate my boss but would it be better if someone higher up nominated him? Can I nominate a family member?
A nominator must be a senior leader or manager in the same SFNet member organization as the nominee. All nominations must provide clear, business-oriented reasons for the nomination, regardless of the relationship between nominator and nominee.
Does it help if many people nominate the same person?
Evidence of an organized nominations campaign will be viewed negatively.
Will more than one nominee from the same company be accepted?
Yes, all qualifying nominations will be accepted.
What is required of those who are selected?
Winners must provide a photo and profile (see last year’s profiles HERE). We encourage all winners to attend the ceremony.
Can I contact you to see how my nominee is doing in the judging process?
We will not provide status reports. Should we need any additional information, we will contact the nominee or nominator.
I was not selected for an SFNet 40 Under 40 Award. Will you tell me why?
With only 40 slots available each year and such a large, competitive industry, many deserving nominees are not selected. Not being chosen does not diminish the nominee’s achievements, and nominators are welcome to resubmit their candidate in a subsequent year.
.jpg?sfvrsn=f1093d2a_0 "#3 -_ 1 (1)")
