After two years’ of virtual celebrations, SFNet is happy to announce that its 40 Under 40 Awards 2022 are back in person this year on June 16, 2022, at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. The evening will offer great networking opportunities while honoring the secured finance industry’s rising stars.

Nominations for the 2022 40U40 Awards are open until today, February 8, 2022. The SFNet 40 Under 40 Award Committee Chair will again be Stewart-Hayes, managing director, Wells Fargo Capital Finance. The judging Committee also consists of Betty Hernandez, EVP & chief credit officer, SLR Business Credit; David B. Kurzweil, co-chair, Global Restructuring & Bankruptcy Chair National Financial Institutions, Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Hamid R. Namazie, partner, McGuireWoods LLP; Candice Hubert, SVP, Business Development, Republic Business Credit; Paula Currie, SVP, internal controls director, PNC Business Credit; and Caitlin Sanders, managing director, Origination, Callodine Commercial Finance.  This will be the first year as judges for Currie and Sanders.

Here's what you'll need to know if you're thinking of nominating someone.

What to Submit When Nominating

While SFNet’s full list of FAQs should help answer anything related to the Awards, there are some important things to be aware of.

1.)We are looking for people who are making an indelible impact on our industry. We are also interested in those who exemplify true excellence in their careers and who bring a strong voice and commitment to their profession and to the industry at large. Community service, as well as participation in trade groups, etc. should also be included in the nomination information. Nominees must not have turned 40 before September 10, 2021, and must work full-time.

2.)You must submit a competed nomination form, including contact information for the person you are nominating. A nomination letter (250-500 words) as well as the nominee’s resume or LinkedIn profile is also required. View Sample 40 Under 40 Nomination Letters for various categories from previous years here.

3.)Attach the SFNet 2022 40 Under 40 Awards Nomination Form along with a letter of nomination in Word. Be sure to include career achievements, leadership skills with examples, community or industry activities (such as charity work, coaching community sports) and involvement with SFNet (Chapter involvement, SFNet Committees). New this year: In addition to the letter, nominators are strongly encouraged to submit a video (no more than 5 minutes long) with supplemental information. Note that substance is more important than the quality of the video.

Insights from Judges

Caitlin Sanders, managing director, Origination, Callodine Commercial Finance, and 2017 SFNet 40 Under 40 Award Winner, is a first-time judge this year and is looking forward to learning about the path each nominee took in getting to their current role.

“The SFNet 40 Under 40 Award is a unique combination of acknowledgement by the senior leadership of the recipient’s organization, as well as a broader acknowledgement from the industry as a whole,” Sanders said. “It is a meaningful opportunity for recipients to grow their national network at a pivotal time in their career.  I look forward to being part of the committee this year. As a past recipient, the award holds a lot of meaning for me.”

Candice Hubert, who won a 40 Under 40 Award in 2018, stressed the importance of writing a well drafted and thought-out nomination letter. “Taking time to not only provide a lens into how you see this individual, but how other colleagues see the individual is important,” she said. “Oftentimes, when writing about a person’s achievements, many will list the academic level achieved, years in their current profession, and sometimes the promotions achieved throughout the nominee’s tenure in their field.  However, the letters that described the way in which individuals collaborated with colleagues, worked within their communities, and lead within their organizations seemed to provide a perspective that allowed the judges to really understand who the nominee was and why they were so well respected within their organizations and community.”

Returning judge Hamid Namazie echoed the importance of community involvement. “The candidates that stood out to me were the ones who not only excelled at work but were also involved in their own communities and gave back,” he added. “It’s always impressive to see young people balancing demanding careers while pursuing charitable interests outside of work.”

Hubert also enjoyed seeing the number of diverse candidates nominated last year. “I loved hearing about how some candidates migrated to the United States, went to school, graduated, and were leading within their organizations and their communities,” Hubert said. “I loved reading about some of the women and men who built efficiency within their organizations that allowed more collaboration and teamwork. Additionally, it was nice hearing about outside hobbies and ways in which candidates gave back time to their communities and other interest outside of work.”