Money20/20 Unveils Global Powerhouse Jury for The Money Awards 2026

WHY THIS MATTERS: The unveiling of The Money Awards 2026 judging panel transcends a mere announcement of industry recognition; it represents a crucial barometer for the direction of fintech excellence. The roster of judges—spanning C-suite banking executives, global VCs, and technology founders—signals a strategic alignment in the industry’s definition of impact. As the financial sector moves deeper into an era of convergence, where embedded finance is becoming standard and legacy institutions are actively driving transformation, the criteria for success are shifting. This jury ensures that true innovation is measured not just by clever technology, but by demonstrated operational expertise and scalable, real-world utility. For the wider ecosystem, it is a value-first moment that indicates which emerging sectors and collaborative models the world’s most influential leaders are paying attention to right now.

The prestigious Jury panel underscores Money20/20’s unmatched global influence across the fintech ecosystem, with The Money Awards recognized as one of the most credible and competitive distinctions in the industry.

Each Jury member brings deep, real‑world expertise from across the global financial technology landscape. Together, they represent leaders from major financial institutions, technology innovators, investors, startups, and emerging disruptors, ensuring a judging process grounded in operational insight, forward‑looking vision, and a clear understanding of the challenges and innovations shaping the future of money.

“The Money Awards were created with a single purpose: to set a global benchmark for excellence in fintech,” said Grania Chesterton, VP of Awards at Money20/20. “What truly defines them is who’s behind the decisions. Being recognised by these Awards signals that a company’s work is making a genuine impact. Our Jury Presidents and Global Jury are embedded in the industry with deep operational expertise, and they play a critical role in defining what great really looks like. That’s why this recognition carries real weight.”

The 2026 edition is expanding its scope to reflect the rapid evolution of financial technology and the increasing demand for credible, independent recognition. It features five award categories that reflect the priorities shaping the future of financial services. The Startup Early & Growth Stage category recognizes founders who are at key moments in their journey and pushing the industry forward. The Banking, Payments, and Partnerships & Strategic Alliance categories highlight excellence across the industry’s core pillars. The Diamond Award, the program’s highest honour, celebrates the most transformative achievement in global fintech.

All entries will undergo a multi‑stage evaluation process, combining independent scoring with collaborative deliberation among the Jury to ensure fairness, transparency, and a true merit‑based outcome.

The Jury Lineup for The Money Awards 2026 is as follows:

Startup (Early Stage & Growth Stage):

Jury President:

• Osama Bedier, Investment Partner, NYCA Partners

Jury Members:

• Ankit Sud, Partner, NewView Capital
• Blair Cohen, Chief Evangelist, Incode
• Bruno Batavia, Director of Emerging Tech, Valor Capital Group
• Chris Yeo, CEO, DOKU
• Gwera Kiwana, Partnerships & Global Expansion, Sling Money
• Monica Eaton, Founder & CEO, Chargebacks911
• Monika Liikamaa, Builder & Investor, Co-Founder, Enfuce
• Sara Eadie, Partner, Tiger Global
• Visa Kannan, Managing Partner, Saison Capital

Banking:

Jury President:

• Shruti Patel, EVP, Business Banking; Chief Product Officer, U.S. Bank

Jury Members:

• Daniel Minarik, Chief Data & Innovation Officer, Tatra Bank
• Daniele Tonella, Chief Technology Officer & Board Member, ING
• Lee Chen Choong, Deputy Director, Central Bank of Malaysia
• Murtaza Ali, CEO, JazzCash Pakistan
• Rafael Fragoso, Digital Banking Executive Director, Banorte
• Tamas Kadar, Co-Founder & CEO, SEON
• Tendai Dube, Chief Operating Officer, Absa CIB Technology
• Trish Devine, Global Head of Corporate Payments Sales, J.P. Morgan

Payments:

Jury President:

• Dave Excell, Founder, Featurespace, a Visa Solution

Jury Members:

• Colleen Taylor, Former President, American Express Merchant Services US
• Gary Conroy, CEO, TransferMate Global Payments
• Iana Dimitrova, CEO, OpenPayd
• Paul Meng, Co-Founder & CEO, SUNRATE
• Roenen Ben-Ami, Co-Founder & Chief Risk Officer, Justt
• Saeeda Jaffar, Managing Director, Middle East, Circle
• Sunil Sachdev, Head of Embedded Finance & Digital Assets, Fiserv
• Tami Rosen, Board Member, Pagaya Technologies
• Tim Watson, Chief Product Officer, Corpay, Cross Border

Partnerships & Strategic Alliance:

Jury President:

• Garry Sien, Chief Innovation & Solutions Officer, International, Ant Digital Technologies

Jury Members:

• Elizabeth Moncada Vega, Head Non Bank Financial Institutions, Círculo de Crédito
• Kara Kazazean, VP, Financial Services, Sam’s Club
• Kirsten Klotz, VP, Financial Products & Partnerships, Rocket Money
• Tim Weller, Business Owner Monetization, Volkswagen Group
• Tunde Anjorin, Executive Director, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships, Morgan Stanley

Diamond Award Category:

Jury President:

• Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President & CEO, Women’s World Banking

Jury Members:

• Joanne Dewar, Co-Founder & Project Lead, Project Nemo
• Maria Oldham, Chief Operating Officer, Yellow Card Financial Inc.
• Olu Olufemi-White, CEO, Alami Capital
• Rob Schimek, Founder & Group CEO, bolttech
• Ronit Ghose, Global Head, Future of Finance, Citi Institute, Citi

The Money Awards 2026 will be judged through a rigorous, merit‑based process designed to highlight organizations and products that are transforming industries and redefining what’s possible in financial technology. Winners will be announced at the global award ceremony taking place at Money20/20 USA in Las Vegas on Sunday, October 18.

Winners will receive a bespoke trophy and year-round visibility through Money20/20’s platforms, including exclusive speaking engagements, media coverage, investor exposure, and global networking opportunities. Past winners have gone on to secure major partnerships, investment rounds, and international visibility, underscoring the awards’ role as a launchpad for industry‑defining success. Following a record level of interest in 2025, the 2026 edition is expected to attract an even broader field of innovators from across the globe.

Entries are now open and will remain live until July 28. For information on categories, judging criteria, and entry instructions, visit www.money2020.com/awards.

FF NEWS TAKE: This announcement subtly moves the needle by solidifying The Money Awards as a critical market signal. With a jury built on such formidable operational expertise, winning organizations gain instant, global validation that transcends typical marketing claims. We should watch the outcome of the Partnerships & Strategic Alliance category closely. Its results will indicate the most successful models of collaboration between banks and startups, setting the blueprint for future M&A and investment in the core infrastructure of digital finance.

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