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Nicsa Recognizes Eight Committees for Outstanding Industry Contributions in 2026 Chairman's Challenge

Annual initiative celebrates volunteer-led thought leadership, innovation, and collaboration advancing the asset and wealth management industry

Boston, MA – October 15, 2026 – Nicsa, a leading association connecting all facets of the asset and wealth management industry, today announced the eight committees selected for recognition in its 2026 Chairman's Challenge: Awards for Committee Excellence. Building on the success of the inaugural program in 2025, the initiative celebrates the exceptional contributions of Nicsa and Inclusion in Finance volunteers whose collaborative efforts deliver actionable insights, educational resources, and practical solutions to some of the industry's most pressing challenges.

The Chairman's Challenge recognizes committee achievements that demonstrate innovation, relevance, and meaningful industry impact. This year's honorees reflect the breadth of Nicsa's volunteer community, with contributions spanning artificial intelligence, digital assets, regulatory compliance, investment products, talent development, and operational best practices.

"Our committees are at the heart of Nicsa's mission, bringing together industry professionals who generously share their expertise to address common challenges and advance our industry. The Chairman's Challenge recognizes not only the quality of their work, but also the collaborative spirit that makes these accomplishments possible. The resources developed by these volunteers deliver tangible value to member firms and help shape the future of asset and wealth management," said Clint Harris, Chairman of the Board at Nicsa.

2026 Chairman's Challenge Honorees

The following eight committees are being recognized for their outstanding contributions:

• Data Analytics Committee: Developed two Industry Insight resources, The Data Analytics Journey: From Foundation to Financial Innovation and A Framework for AI Governance. Together, these publications explore the evolution of data analytics and provide practical guidance on AI accountability, governance, model risk, and ethical implementation.
• Digital Assets Committee: Created the Digital Assets: A Primer for Asset & Wealth Management Professionals, a comprehensive introductory resource examining blockchain, cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, tokenization, custody, regulation, and the emerging implications of digital assets for the asset and wealth management industry.
• Inclusion in Finance North America ERG Impact Committee: Developed the ERG Toolkit, a customizable framework designed to help firms establish, strengthen, and sustain Employee Resource Groups. The resource provides actionable guidance on governance, leadership, business alignment, budgeting, communications, and performance measurement.
• International Committee: Hosted an expert roundtable and produced the accompanying Industry Insight, China's Evolving Asset & Wealth Management Industry, examining market growth, regulatory reform, distribution trends, and changing investor demands in one of the world's most significant financial markets.
• NextGen Committee: Advanced professional development and industry engagement through the relaunch of the Nicsa Next Gen Mentorship Program, an accompanying Industry Insight, educational Ask Me Anything sessions, and a charitable initiative supporting Out My Closet at the Fearless Leadership Symposium.
• SMA & Model Portfolio Committee: Developed the 2026 SMA and Model Portfolio Working Glossary, an industry resource designed to establish a common vocabulary across managed accounts, model portfolios, advisory platforms, tax management, fees, and related investment solutions. The final resource is forthcoming.
• Transfer Agent Compliance Committee: Supported the development of the Nicsa TA Compliance Guide in collaboration with Deloitte, providing a centralized reference for regulatory requirements, operational standards, and leading practices, including emerging considerations involving AI, fraud, and cybersecurity.
• Unclaimed Property Committee: Collaborated with the Retirement Committee to develop Advancing Clarity in Unclaimed Property: Industry Collaboration Driving Better Outcomes, providing practical guidance on the treatment of ERISA and non-ERISA assets and supporting greater clarity in reporting practices.

Recognizing the Power of Industry Collaboration

The Chairman's Challenge underscores the important role Nicsa's volunteer committees play in connecting industry expertise with real-world business needs. Through cross-functional collaboration and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, committee members develop resources that help firms navigate change, strengthen operations, and identify opportunities for innovation.

"What distinguishes Nicsa is the willingness of our members to work across firms, functions, and disciplines to move the industry forward. This year's Chairman's Challenge honorees demonstrate the power of that collaboration, transforming shared expertise into practical tools and thought leadership that benefit the broader industry. We are grateful for the time, energy, and commitment of every volunteer who contributes to this work," said Jim Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of Nicsa

The eight recognized committees will be celebrated on the main stage at Nicsa's 2026 Asset & Wealth Management Summit, taking place November 10–11 at the Marriott Long Wharf in Boston. Their contributions will also be featured in a special edition of the Nicsa Connect newsletter, highlighting the resources and insights available to the Nicsa membership community.

To learn more about Nicsa's committees, volunteer opportunities, and industry resources, visit www.nicsa.org.

About Nicsa

Nicsa is a not-for-profit trade association striving to connect all facets of the global asset and wealth management industry in order to develop, share, implement, and advance leading practices. Through education, collaboration, and networking, Nicsa brings together industry leaders to share knowledge, address emerging challenges, and advance innovation and excellence across the industry.

Explore the 2026 Asset & Wealth Management Summit agenda and register:
https://nicsa.org/summit-2026/

Press Contact:
Allison Lovett | [email protected] | Vice President, Content & Communications