Annual Industry Awards

Every year we set out to recognize a few members of our industry that consistently go above and beyond! Do you work with someone who has made countless contributions to the fund finance industry? Someone who continually shows strength in leadership? Someone dedicated to furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the fund finance industry? Maybe they are a younger member of your team that demonstrates a commitment to the industry?

Nominations for the 2026 Annual FFA Awards will open in February 2026

Julian Black Lifetime Contribution to the Industry Award

The Fund Finance Association (FFA) established the Julian Black Lifetime Contribution to Industry Award in 2018 to recognize individuals who demonstrate dedication to the selfless service of the Fund Finance industry, which is the legacy left by the beloved Julian Black. Mr. Black's contributions to the fund financing market both in the Cayman Islands and globally, as well as his extensive charitable efforts, are remembered and honored each year with the presentation of this award.

Julian Black Lifetime Contribution to the Industry Award

Dee Dee Sklar Women in Fund Finance Award

The inaugural Women in Fund Finance Award was first presented to Ms. Dee Dee Sklar in 2018 to honor her tremendous efforts to create the Women in Fund Finance initiative and increase engagement and participation of women in the Fund Finance community. The purpose of this annual award, now named the “Dee Dee Sklar Women in Fund Finance Award,” is to recognize a member of the Fund Finance community who embodies the mission of the Women in Fund Finance initiative and demonstrates their commitment to helping women succeed through connection, education and professional advocacy.

Dee Dee Sklar Women in Fund Finance Award

Annual Contribution to the Industry Award

The Annual Contribution to the Industry Award aims to recognize several individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty during the prior year and demonstrated outstanding overall contribution to the Fund Finance industry, their firms and their clients, with an emphasis on professional contributions focused on excellence in client service, product and service innovations, diversity and inclusion, career development, training and mentoring, networking and community service.

Annual Contribution to the Industry Award

Diversity in Fund Finance Award

The Diversity in Fund Finance Award will be selected based on an individual’s outstanding overall contribution to furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the fund finance industry, the FFA, their workplace, and/or the broader community. Emphasis will be placed upon the pillars of the Diversity in Fund Finance initiative, focused on: educating and connecting with students in order to help open the pipeline of diverse talent into the market; being a facilitator of action to advocate for positive change; striving to create opportunities of advancement for diverse professionals; and fostering an open, inclusive, respectful space for everyone no matter their background.

Diversity in Fund Finance Award

NextGen Member of the Year Award

The Fund Finance Association (FFA) established the Next Gen Member of the Year Award to recognize the great work young professionals are doing in the Fund Finance space. The purpose of this annual award is to recognize a young professional in the Fund Finance community who embodies the mission of the NextGen Network and demonstrates their commitment to the industry.

NextGen Member of the Year Award