Shortlist includes Bank of America, Crowd Street, and Plymouth Rock Assurance
On October 30, the FCS announced the shortlist of finalists for the 2026 FCS Financial Marketer of the Year Award (FMY). Listed alphabetically by company, they are:
- Michele Barlow, Managing Director, Head of Enterprise Marketing, Bank of America
- Rodes Ponzer, Chief Marketing Officer, Crowd Street
- Jennifer Lindauer, Head of Enterprise Brand Marketing, Plymouth Rock Assurance
The FMY Award recognizes innovation, creativity and impact in the financial services marketplace, and rewards the brand and the marketing leader responsible. Trophies for the winner and runners-up will be presented at an Awards Gala on December 1 (6:00pm-9:00pm ET) at the New York Yacht Club.
EVENT INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
Information about sponsorships at the Gala can be found here.
Our judging panel considered a diverse array of brands — from asset managers and consumer bank and fintech firms to exchanges and insurance companies and advisory firms. The final judging discussion was moderated by FCS Board Director Melissa Scauri of Morgan Stanley. This year’s judging panel included 17 senior executives from leading financial companies:
- Pinki Mehta, Co-CMO, AllianceBernstein
- Bernadette Bridy, CMO, American Beacon Partners
- Jim Kotulka, Senior Director, Head of Brand & Creative, BNY
- Justin Garrett, Global Head of Brand & Digital Marketing, Broadridge Financial
- Jennifer Ball, CMO, Franklin Templeton
- Matthew Brady, Head of U.S. Intermediary Marketing, Invesco
- Alison Lazzaro, SVP, Head of Brand & Corporate Marketing, KKR
- Sarah Chapman, CMO Canada, Manulife
- Kallana Warner, VP, Performance Marketing & Media Strategy, Mastercard
- Stacey Juliano, Head of Morgan Stanley At Work Marketing, Morgan Stanley
- Carlos Ricardo, Head of Integrated Marketing Campaigns, MSCI
- Vince Grogan, Global Head of Marketing, Nasdaq
- Julie Parish, CMO, Nomura Asset Management
- Tara Giuliano, CMO, Nuveen
- Jaime Kalfus, Head of Global Brand Strategy & Advertising, PGIM
- Jennifer Lindauer, Head of Enterprise Brand Marketing, Plymouth Rock Assurance
- Lana Slygh, SVP, Head of Marketing, Thrivent
Now in its 21st year, FMY celebrates how great marketing and communications can advance a firm’s business objectives and elevate the standard for exceptional work in the marketplace. Year after year, we’ve recognized the brands and the leaders who have stood out among the competition.
Past Winners
- 2025 Nuveen; Tara Giuliano
- 2024 Travelers; Lisa Caputo
- 2023 Northwestern Mutual; Lynn Teo
- 2022 Invesco; Emily Pachuta
- 2021 Ally Financial; Andrea Brimmer
- 2020 State Street Global Advisors; John Brockelman
- 2019 Ally Financial; Andrea Brimmer
- 2018 E*TRADE; Lea Stendahl
- 2017 Ally Financial; Andrea Brimmer
- 2016 Prudential; Niharika Shah
- 2015 Citi; Elyssa Gray
- 2014 Edward Jones; Brad Iversen
- 2013 TD Bank; Vinoo Vijay
- 2012 Prudential; Colin McConnell
- 2011 Liberty Mutual; Paul Alexander
- 2010 MetLife; Beth Hirschhorn
- 2009 Fidelity Investments; Jim Speros
- 2008 E*TRADE; Nick Utton
- 2007 Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management; Rich Aneser
- 2006 Smith Barney; Barbara Glasser
Any questions about FMY or the awards ceremony can be sent to FCS CEO Kevin Windorf.