ACSS 2026 AWARDS
Program overview
ACSS Awards: Recognizing Global
Excellence in Sanctions and Export Controls
The Sanctions and Export Controls industry is given the opportunity to nominate a friend, colleague or peer for the ACSS Awards.
The ACSS Awards program identifies the sanctions and export controls professionals, across sectors and geographies, and across private or public walks of life.
The awards pinpoint professional development and innovation, showcasing the individuals who are leading the way in the industry.
The objective is to ensure inclusiveness and wide participation from across the industry and across regions. From specialists in sanctions screening to item classification, from sanctions policy to enforcement and export controls licensing, from 1st to 3rd line of defense, from logistics to semiconductor to banking, and so much more, this is your chance to be recognized as one of the leading sanctions or export controls professionals in the world.
Get ready to celebrate in style at the special Awards Session at the ACSS European Conference in Dublin, October 8 – 9, 2026. We are more excited than ever to celebrate those propelling the industry forward.
Take the first step in being recognized at an international national level and build a reputation for excellence. The awards are open to all individuals supporting the sanctions and trade compliance cause.
Why Enter the ACSS Awards 2026?
Stand out in a competitive marketplace
Set yourself apart and strengthen your position in the sanctions or export controls profession by elevating your personal brand with these awards. Be recognized as one of world’s top practitioners and gain the credibility to unlock new opportunities.
Highlight your achievements
With a highly regarded judging panel, an ACSS award is recognition of your capabilities and passion, either as a professional in the private or public sector, for driving sanctions compliance forward.
Gain recognition for your contribution
to the profession’s success
An ACSS award reaffirms the role of your organization, or you personally, in advancing the sanctions/export controls industry.
The Awards
We offer the below categories.
1 Sanctions/Export Controls Professional of the Year
Criteria:
- Recognizes professional excellence in the field of sanctions OR export controls. This award recognizes outstanding performance by an individual who has been at in the sanctions or export controls field for 5 years or more.
- Public or private sector.
- A real impact on the sanctions or export controls landscape.
- No need to be an ACSS member.
Nomination Process:
Peer or self-nomination. We need at least 3 nominations in order to assign the award in the category.
What to submit:
- A narrative explaining why the person deserves the award.
- CV or bio.
- 2 testimonials or recommendation letters.
2“Rising Star” Sanctions/Export Controls Professional
Criteria:
- Aimed at professionals under 35 years old OR those with fewer than 5 years in the sanctions OR export controls field.
- Demonstrated exceptional promise or leadership, either in their local ACSS chapter or otherwise in the sanctions/export controls field.
- Public of private sector.
- No need to be an ACSS member.
Nomination Process:
Peer or self-nomination. We need at least 3 nominations in order to assign the award in the category.
What to submit:
- A narrative explaining why the person deserves the award.
- CV or bio.
- 2 testimonials or recommendation letters.
3ACSS Volunteer of the Year
Criteria:
- Includes ACSS volunteer activities such as active participation in ACSS taskforce, contributions to the ACSS Linkedin pages, teaching ACSS courses and exam prep, providing suggestions or speaking at ACSS programs, conferences, etc.
- Public or private sector.
- Needs to be an ACSS member.
Nomination Process:
Peer, self, ACSS chapter board or ACSS HQ nomination.
What to submit:
- A narrative explaining why the person deserves the award.
- CV or bio.
4“ACSS Chapter of the Year”
Criteria:
Section 1:
Membership growth % between March 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026: Examples:
- Chapter A with 40 members on March 1, 2025, on March 31, 2026 has 80 members 100% growth: score = 1
- Chapter B with 100 members on March 1, 2025, on March 31, 2026 has 125 members. 0.25 score (125 – 100 = 25 / 100)
- Chapter C with 30 members on March 1, 2025, on March 31, 2026 has 40 members: 40-30= 10 / 30 = Score 0.33
- Chapter D with 30 members on March 1, 2025, on March 31, 2026 has 50 members: 50-30=20 / 30 = Score 0.66
Section 2:
- Chapter A with 2 in person events + 1 webinar: 2×4 +1 = 9 points.
- Chapter B with 3 in person events + 1 webinar: 3×4 + 1= 13 points.
- Chapter C with 1 in person event + 3 webinars: 4 + 3 = 7 points.
- Chapter D with 1 in person event + 3 webinars: 4+3 = 7 points.
Total score
(examples): multiple score section 1 with score section 2.
- Chapter A: 1 x 9 = 9 points = winner.
- Chapter B: 0.25 x 13 = 3.25 points.
- Chapter C: 0.33 x 7 = 2.31 points.
- Chapter D: 0.66 x 7 = 4.62 points.
Nomination Process:
ACSS Chapters who wish to be nominated submit their scores, and the chapter with the highest score wins.
5“Public Sector Agency of the Year”
Criteria:
The Public Sector Organization category is for government and public sector organizations that have delivered outstanding projects, programs, private sector guidance or private sector outreach.
Public sector organizations are entities owned, funded, and operated by the government, and operate at the local or national level, or are international organizations: Examples are:
- Agencies that are part of Government: regulatory bodies/national competent authorities/enforcement agencies: Ministries or agencies that implement policies or enforce sanctions/export controls: Customs agencies, FIUs, OFAC, BIS, OFSI, DG Tresor, etc.
- Organizations or agencies that are part of international organizations: such as FISMA of the EU Commission, SCAD of UN Security Council, a particular agency within AMLA, World Bank, IMF.
Nomination Process:
Peer or self-nomination.
What you need to submit:
- A narrative explaining why the agency deserves the award
The Award Judges
Clay Stevenson
Managing Director | Head of Sanctions, OFAC & Watchlists, Santander US
Clay Stevenson is Head of Sanctions, OFAC & Watchlists at Santander-US. Previously he was an independent consultant specializing in economic sanctions matters, assisting clients in a variety of industries navigate the challenges of fast-changing requirements. Prior to starting his consultancy, from 2009 to 2017 Clay was Managing Director and the Global Economic Sanctions Executive for Bank of America Corporation, responsible for the company’s economic sanctions and anti-boycott compliance efforts, as well as a stint leading its anti-bribery / anti-corruption and Code of Ethics programs. From 2007-2009 Clay had responsibility for economic sanctions compliance at Merrill Lynch. And from 1999-2007, Clay served with the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), working first in the Compliance Division and later what is now the Office of Global Targeting, the group responsible for OFAC’s sanctions designation activities. Among his roles while at OFAC, Clay served as the first Chief of the Counter-proliferation Section within the then-Designation Investigations Division where he led a team of sanctions investigators charged with targeting the assets of weapons of mass destruction proliferators and their support networks, with particular focus on North Korea and Iran. Clay received his BA from the George Washington University and his MA from the Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies.
Ms. (Dipl. Ing.) Tatjana Dobrovolny
Raiffeisen Bank International Group
Tatjana Dobrovolny is a Senior Subject Matter Expert for Compliance programs and system solutions for the prevention and detection of financial crime. Her expertise includes AML and CTF/FiSa topics, particularly in the context of transaction monitoring and data analysis across the Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) Group. Tatjana is the senior advisor for design and implementation of global RBI Group standards, procedures, and efficient and effective IT systems with focus on innovative solutions. She is also a member of the advisory board of the Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists (ACSS) and member of the SWIFT Financial Crime Compliance Advisory Group (FCC-AG). Tatjana is with Raiffeisen Compliance for almost 20 years serving also in sensitive data analytics and forensic investigations, having a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Electrical Engineering in Belgrade. Before joining RBI, Tatjana worked for almost 10 years in the IT development as a program manager for the implementation of a banking product for reconciliation of Nostro payment and custodial accounts.
Chris Po-Ba
Global Regulatory and Network Engagement (GRNE) Lloyd’s
Chris supports the Lloyd’s insurance market with advisory services on sanctions and financial crime, issues guidance and best practice, and engages with Regulators and Law Enforcement on behalf of the insurance sector. Chris is a former British Army Reservist and a former Special Constable with the Metropolitan Police Service. He is based in London.
Matt Bell
Independent Consultant
Matt Bell is based in Houston. He specializes in international trade compliance including export controls, economic sanctions, antiboycott, and related US and global regulations. Mr. Bell helps his clients build or enhance their trade compliance programs through procedural enhancements, audits, and trainings that are properly benchmarked to leading practices.Mr. Bell also has experience overseeing large and highly complex global investigations in some of the most challenging regions of the world. His specialization is honed through his experience as a senior in-house counsel for several organizations that committed significant resources to designing and implementing world-class trade compliance programs. As a result, he advises his clients from a unique perspective that balances compliance with these highly complex laws and regulations with the practical realities of implementing his advice in the day-to-day operations of the company. Mr. Bell has extensive experience advising clients on the complex regulations related to encryption controls, de miminis analyses, second incorporation rule application, and sanctions regulations, especially as they apply to avoiding business in sanctioned jurisdictions or with sanctioned parties, as well as in wind-down of operations in sanctioned jurisdictions. His expertise spans across several industries including energy, telecommunications, technology, and aerospace/defense, as well as for both US and non-US companies with extensive global operations. Mr. Bell has made his career building best-in-class compliance programs under intense government scrutiny including extensive experience working with the US Departments of Justice, Commerce, and Treasury as part of government investigations, civil and criminal settlements, and helping companies through the rigors of government-mandated audits and monitorships. Mr. Bell also advises on compliance with the export control regulations administered by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy, and Department of State. Prior to FTI Consulting, Mr. Bell held senior legal and compliance positions in major multi-national companies in the telecommunications and energy industries, including having served as a chief compliance officer, senior global anticorruption counsel, global trade compliance counsel, and regional compliance counsel for these organizations. Much of his work with these companies occurred during investigations related to and as a result of record-setting settlements with various US government agencies related to FCPA, export controls, and sanctions violations. Mr. Bell started his career in consulting with international trade practices in two of the Big 4 consultancies. Mr. Bell is an active member in the American Bar Association, Section of International Law and serves on advisory committees for both Trace International and the Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists.
Marcela Bonilla
How to Enter the Awards?
- Decide which category you wish to go into.
- Submit the requested documentation via the online form (add link)
Important Deadlines
March 31, 2026: Nominations and submissions open (link to submission form)
- The Reveal: Announce winners at ACSS European Conference in Dublin held on October 8-9, 2026. The winner has to be present at the conference to receive the Award. (We will offer a discounted) “Award Finalist” registration ticket to attend the conference.
- The Reward: Winners will receive a digital badge (for LinkedIn or their website), are invited to share their experience in an ACSS webinar or on the ACSS website and will receive a physical desk ornament or plaque. Winners in the private sector, who can accept, will also receive a complimentary conference registration for themselves on the next ACSS
How to Enter the Awards?
- MAKE A NOMINATION: Nominations can be made directly by an individual or company. It is allowed to self-nominate. You can nominate a business partner, colleague, industry participant, or any connected eligible person for the Awards. Nominating is easy and can be done via the online form. All submissions are electronic and must be received through the online form. No information received via the awards process or portal is used for any reason other than for assessing the submission and is only shared with those judges and ACSS team.
- REVIEW: All submissions undergo a review by the ACSS team, checking information against category eligible criteria based on the information provided in the submission. Those submissions deemed eligible against submission criteria are reviewed and assessed by the judges, an industry stakeholder panel, to determine the finalists for each category. The number of finalists varies for each award category.
- FINALIST SHORTLISTING: Finalists are contacted directly by ACSS team advising that they are finalists. Finalists are then announced publicly the ACSS newsletter SanctionsAlert and the ACSS Awards page. Finalists will be announced in July 2026. When finalists purchase their special discounted ticket for the 2026 ACSS Dublin Conference, they are provided with a finalist seal that they can display on their website or in their office. Finalists are also provided with a press release to help them spread the word to their network.
- SELECTION OF WINNER: Finalist submissions are reviewed by the judges who assess the submission against the criteria of the award category. Each judge will provide a score and then the combined judging scores is tabulated, with the highest scoring submission deemed the winner.
- WINNERS ANNOUNCED: One winner will be announced per category, with the awards presented at the special session at the ACSS 2026 European Conference. For details on the events, click here.
ACSS AWARDS JUDGES
CODE OF CONDUCT 2026
Confidentiality: Judges undertake to maintain the confidentiality of their role with respect to the identity of applicants, the marks awarded.
Eligibility: Judges themselves and ACSS Advisory Board Members are not eligible for nominations.
Minimum: We need a minimum of 3 applicants in an Award category in order to use the Award category.
Criteria:
Entries for the Professional and Rising Star of the Year: the winners are selected fairly, transparently, and based on the true impact of their work. The nominations will be reviewed against the following criteria:
Spirit – The context within which the achievements were set, the opportunity, need or requirement to innovate, improve, adapt or change.
Approach – How the change or improvement was delivered, demonstrating excellence, best practice and how the individual went above and beyond.
Outcome – The benefits realized from the point of view of stakeholders (company, team, business lines, customers, international organizations, regulators, etc) including tangible and intangible aspects (compliance/risk management, financial rewards, satisfaction, efficiencies, empowerment).
Validation – How the initiative/activity may potentially be recognized, embedded or replicated as a benchmark of best practice internally or more widely.
- MAKE A NOMINATION: Nominations can be made directly by an individual or company. It is allowed to self-nominate. You can nominate a business partner, colleague, industry participant, or any connected eligible person for the Awards. Nominating is easy and can be done via the online form. All submissions are electronic and must be received through the online form. No information received via the awards process or portal is used for any reason other than for assessing the submission and is only shared with those judges and ACSS team.
- REVIEW: All submissions undergo a review by the ACSS team, checking information against category eligible criteria based on the information provided in the submission. Those submissions deemed eligible against submission criteria are reviewed and assessed by the judges, an industry stakeholder panel, to determine the finalists for each category. The number of finalists varies for each award category.
- FINALIST SHORTLISTING: Finalists are contacted directly by ACSS team advising that they are finalists. Finalists are then announced publicly the ACSS newsletter SanctionsAlert and the ACSS Awards page. Finalists will be announced in July 2026. When finalists purchase their special discounted ticket for the 2026 ACSS Dublin Conference, they are provided with a finalist seal that they can display on their website or in their office. Finalists are also provided with a press release to help them spread the word to their network.
- SELECTION OF WINNER: Finalist submissions are reviewed by the judges who assess the submission against the criteria of the award category. Each judge will provide a score and then the combined judging scores is tabulated, with the highest scoring submission deemed the winner.
- WINNERS ANNOUNCED: One winner will be announced per category, with the awards presented at the special session at the ACSS 2026 European Conference. For details on the events, click here.
Nominator’s Information
Is this a self-nomination* (check which one applies)