FCS Leadership Award
The Call for Nominations for the 10th Annual FCS Leadership Award will open on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS:
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2025 (FIRM)
In 2016, the FCS created our Leadership Award to honor the memory of Jamie E. DePeau, CMO of Lincoln Financial Group, who was universally admired for her leadership skills and style.
The Award recognizes an FCS member whose performance as a leader, in and beyond the workplace, has a transformative impact. This annual award seeks to honor an individual who, through professional and personal excellence, serves as a living example of the selfless, inspirational leadership that Jamie DePeau embodied during her career.
We invite you to nominate a colleague or client whose leadership enhances the careers and lives of the people they touch – through ability, ambition, and empathy.
We aim to honor an FCS member whose leadership inspires and educates others to think big, to break down barriers, and to perform at their highest potential.
NOMINATION FORM WILL BE POSTED HERE ON OCTOBER 1.
Simply complete the Award Nomination Form no later than Thursday, November 13. Nomination forms will be reviewed in confidence by our panel of judges.
AWARD CEREMONY
The winner of the FCS Leadership Award will be announced on Monday, December 1 – then celebrated at the prestigious 26th Annual FCS RFK Marketing Summit, held at the Lodge at Spruce Peak, Stowe, Vermont, from January 11-14, 2026. In addition to industry-wide recognition, the winner will be invited to attend the Summit as a guest of the FCS (waived participation fee and complimentary lodging). During a dedicated Fireside Forum on Sunday, January 11, the winner will be interviewed about their personal accomplishments and insights into what makes for a successful leader in today’s industry.
CHARITABLE DONATION
As a special honor, the Award winner will select their favorite children’s charity to receive a $2,500 donation from the FCS, creating a philanthropic opportunity to give back to the community.
Questions about the FCS Leadership Award should be directed to FCS CEO Kevin Windorf.
Pictured above is last year’s winner, Jennifer Grazel, then CMO of RBC Capital Markets.
Judges
The judges for the FCS Leadership Award represent industry professionals associated with Jamie DePeau, including past Award recipients. The list will be confirmed on November 13.
Past Winners
- 2024 Jennifer Grazel RBC Capital Markets
- 2023 Arielle Gross Samuels Blackstone
- 2022 Leslie Walstrom Columbia Threadneedle Investments
- 2021 Caleb Silver Investopedia
- 2020 Renée Baker Raymond James
- 2019 Russ Findlay Hiscox
- 2018 David Bernstein Fly a Kite Foundation
- 2017 Caroline O’Connell BNY Mellon
- 2016 Berta Aldrich FS Investments
About Jamie E. Depeau
Jamie DePeau, Corporate Chief Marketing Officer, Lincoln Financial Group, was a true friend of the FCS and a strong supporter of our mission of community, education, and philanthropy. She was an active member of the FCS Marketing Leadership Roundtable from its founding in 2012, the same year she spoke on a panel of CMOs at our Annual Education Summit. In 2013, she returned as a guest presenter at the 19th Annual FCS Portfolio Awards. Earlier in her career, while serving as SVP of Marketing at TIAA-CREF, Jamie presented at our monthly luncheon at the New York Yacht Club in December 2007.
Jamie passed away in February 2016. Two months later, her work at Lincoln was honored posthumously when her marketing team and agency won seven trophies at the 22nd Annual FCS Portfolio Awards. Beyond her own contributions, Jamie encouraged her Lincoln colleagues to engage with the FCS, extending her impact on our community.
Outside of work, Jamie was deeply involved in her church, where she held senior lay leadership roles and sang in the choir. She also volunteered with the Ridgewood Baseball and Softball Association and other youth sports organizations in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
Above all, Jamie is remembered as a devoted mother and wife, a trusted colleague and friend, and always an inspiring leader.
