About the ACAMS Awards
Each year, ACAMS honors extraordinary anti-financial crime professionals whose remarkable contributions to the industry have taken steps towards our mission of ending financial crime. Our award recipients embody the spirit of innovation, demonstrating their ability to tackle complex challenges and generate enduring transformations.
We need you to help us shine a spotlight on innovative thinkers, problem solvers, and exceptional industry leaders. Nominations are now open for the four award categories listed below.
Winner Recognition
The 2024 award winners will be announced during The Assembly Las Vegas, which takes place from September 23-25, 2024, as well as on all ACAMS communication channels, including our website, ACAMS Today, and social media platforms.
The ACAMS AFC Professional of the Year winner will be flown to Las Vegas to receive the award in person. See each below for more details.
Judging Panel
Judging of the four 2024 ACAMS Awards will be undertaken by a five-person judging panel. Their average scores will determine the winner of each award.
ACAMS AFC Professional of the Year
The ACAMS AFC Professional of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of an exemplary anti-financial crime professional who has made significant contributions to the industry. The award acknowledges visionary innovators who have displayed exceptional initiative in formulating and executing transformative approaches that enhance the landscape of AFC globally.
Nominees will be evaluated based on their accomplishments, influence, and peer recommendations within the global AFC community. The 2024 AFC Professional of the Year will be flown to The Assembly Las Vegas from September 23-25, 2024, where they will be publicly recognized as the winner of this prestigious award.
- Nomination Guidelines:
- Must be an ACAMS member
- Must demonstrate a passion for the profession and the AML/AFC community
- Must contribute to the advancement of the AML/AFC mission within their organization through collaboration, education, and inclusion
- Must have a proven history of exceptional leadership and track record of developing AML/AFC effectiveness with their peers and community
- Must have provided an innovative solution to a complex issue within the AML/AFC sector within the last 12 months
- Required Nomination Materials:
- Summary of the candidate’s specific achievements, impact, and outcomes
- Testimony on candidate’s professionalism and other qualifications from the nominating person or entity, supplemented by other parties when applicable and/or possible
- Headshot and bio
ACAMS Rising AFC Professional of the Year
The ACAMS Rising AFC Professional of the Year Award recognizes a highly motivated and passionate AFC professional. This award is for professionals who are relatively new to the field, but responsible for helping advance the mission of ending financial crime in a demonstratable way within the last 12 months. Nominees are judged on their accomplishments, contribution to the industry, and leadership. Help us identify these accomplished up-and-coming leaders by submitting a nomination for the ACAMS Rising AFC Professional of the Year Award.
- Nomination Guidelines:
- Must be an ACAMS member
- Must have less than five years of experience in the AFC sector
- Must demonstrate a commitment to the advancement of AFC by writing articles, participating in ACAMS Chapter Events or professional committees, and/or speaking at industry events
- Must demonstrate a commitment to being a positive role model for the profession and peers
- Required Nomination Materials:
- Specific examples of leadership in the AFC field
- Testimony on candidate’s professionalism and other qualifications from the nominating person or entity, supplemented by other parties when applicable and/or possible, such as by members of the regional ACAMS chapter or a similar peer-networking organization, or by a member of the leadership team from the nominee’s institution
- Bio and headshot
ACAMS Today Article of the Year Award
ACAMS Today is the leading publication on all anti-financial crime (AFC)-related topics, dedicated to bringing insightful and high-quality content to empower AFC professionals across the globe with the knowledge and skills to prevent financial crimes.
Continual learning and information sharing on timely and relevant topics are essential components of the fight against financial crime. The ACAMS Today Article of the Year recognizes remarkable writers who have contributed to the ACAMS Today magazine by sharing their expertise, experience, knowledge and insights with the ACAMS readership. Cast your vote on the article that had the greatest influence on your AFC knowledge and career to help us recognize the talented writers that are making a difference in the AFC field.
Nomination Process
All nominations must be submitted electronically to editor@acams.org and should include:
- Title of article
- Author’s name
Award Requirements
A selection of previously nominated articles published between December 2021–November 2022 editions of ACAMS Today magazine are eligible for nomination.
Nominees
- Crypto Compliance 2021: An Excellent Adventure
Ari Redbord - Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade: Turning Predators Into Prey
Matthew Spivack, CAMS - Sanctions on Russia: Pay Attention Now, Avoid Emerging Risk Later
Anne Marie Lacourse
Cinda Coldwell - Why Developing Nations Are Embracing Blockchain
Julia Beyers - Preventing Digital Payment Systems Fraud
Brian Baral
Joseph Gillespie - Understanding Human Trafficking
Chris Bagnall, CAMS-FCI, CFE
Sara Crowe - Project Hades: Dark Web Revealed
Carolina Christofoletti - DeFi Compliance: A Galaxy Not Far Away
Ari Redbord - Best Practices for Evolving Your Risk Assessment Process
Chris Bagnall, CAMS-FCI, CFE
Sarah Beth Felix - Walking Into Webs: AML and the Metaverse
Stuart Davis, CAMS
Joseph Mari, CAMS - Europe and the Illegal Wildlife Trade: Where Are We Now?
Xavier Aubert - Human Trafficking: The Link to Child Sexual Exploitation
Terri Luttrell, CAMS-Audit - Periodic Reviews at a Glance
Rosalind Lazar, CAMS - BSA Policy: The Do’s and Don’ts
Jamie Thomas, CAMS-FCI
Chris Bagnall, CAMS-FCI, CFE - SAR Foundations
Chris Bagnall, CAMS-FCI, CFE
Rebecca Schauer Robertson, CAMS-Audit, CAFP, CFE - Classification of the UAE as a Monitored Jurisdiction
Rayan Mohamed, CAMS, CFE, Esq. - Fintechs: The Evolution of Traditional AML
Derek W. Smith - Ponzi Scheme: A Never-ending Global Battle
Mohammad Rezaul Karim, CAMS
Rucsar Jabin - Career Advancement for Women Through Sponsors and Mentors
María de Lourdes “Marilú” Jiménez, Esq. CAMS - Art Market and the Controversial NFT Craze
Merritt Cooke, CAMS - Exterminating Your Casino Money Laundering Termites
Paul Camacho, CAMS - Veterans: An Untapped Talent Pool in AFC
Nick Schumann, CAMS - The Cali Cartel: Understanding the Rise and Fall of the Drug Trafficking Empire
Stefano Siggia - Terrorist Financing: A 20-Year Retrospective
Dennis Lormel - Applying the Why and How of Money Laundering to Casinos
Paul Camacho, CAMS
ACAMS Chapter of the Year
The ACAMS Chapter of the Year award recognizes the tremendous contributions that the chapter network makes to our organization, community, and industry. This award celebrates one chapter that has showcased exemplary leadership, organized impactful events, fostered meaningful connections, and created an inclusive community. Help us identify which chapter has positively impacted you and your community by nominating a chapter for the 2024 ACAMS Chapter of the Year Award.
- Nomination Guidelines:
- Chapter must have existed for a period of 12 months or more
- Chapter must have a minimum of 5% of their membership certified
- All Chapter Executive Board members must be active and engaged ACAMS members
- Chapter must be in good financial standing
- Chapter has not won the award in the past three years