What is  Business Insurance  Women to Watch? 
A recognition program highlighting the achievements of women working in risk management, commercial insurance and related fields. As implied by the name, the program recognizes women who have achieved considerable success and are expected to achieve even more in the future. It is not a lifetime achievement award. 

What’s new this year?

A streamlined nomination form and a change in the required number of recommendations. While we have reduced the number of recommendations from three to two, the strongest nominations will still include at least one from outside the nominee’s current company, for example, a client, former colleague or another business associate.

Is it just for women executives in the United States? 
No, we have always accepted international nominations. In 2017 we expanded the program to include separate awards for women in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Women to Watch EMEA winners will be honored at our recognition event in London in December. 

Is there a separate nomination form for Women to Watch US? 
No, the same form is used for US and EMEA nominations. Be sure to select the correct region in order for your nomination to be designated as a US or EMEA nomination. 

What if the nominee is based in Asia/Pacific or Latin America? 
Winners from Asia/Pacific and Latin America will be honored at the Women to Watch program in the US program in November 2025. 

Who can make a nomination? 
Anyone familiar with the nominee can make the nomination. 

What is the nomination deadline? 
Nomination submissions are due by June 13, 2025. No submissions will be accepted after this date. 

When will the winners be announced? 
Winners will be notified and announced on BusinessInsurance.com in July. 

When will the Women to Watch profiles be published? 
In the December 2025   issue and on BusinessInsurance.com. 

How will the nominees be judged? 
The nominees are assessed based on three main criteria – expertise, leadership and career prospects. 

What makes a good nomination? 
The most successful nominations are the ones that provide a good narrative combined with data to support the assertions. For example, the nominee reduced cost of risk by xx%, conceived and launched a new product, led diversity initiatives that have achieved xx, added xx new clients, increased revenue by xx% etc. While we ask for recommendations from managers, colleagues and/or clients, the information supplied in the nomination form is the main basis for judging. 

Do I have to meet the 750-word limit for the nomination essay? 
No, a well-written 500-word description can be just as effective as another description that uses the full limit. If you are only writing 300 words or less, you are probably not including enough information. 

How many people can I nominate? 
As many as you'd like. There is no limit. 

Does the nominee need to know that they have been nominated? 
No, but most are aware they have been nominated. 

I want to nominate someone, but can I remain anonymous? 
No, we need to know who you are. However, we will not share your information with third parties. 

Why do you ask for the nominee's age?
While we recognize that nominees might have varied career timelines, particularly with career breaks, their age remains generally relevant for evaluating the scope of their achievements.

Will more than one honoree from the same company be recognized? 
While there is no strict limit on the number of honorees per company, we do seek to create a list of honorees that reflects the entire sector covered by Business Insurance, so it is rare that more than one person is recognized per company in a particular country.

What is required of those who are selected? 
Candidates who are selected must make themselves available for a phone interview with a reporter. They also will need to provide a high-resolution headshot. They will be invited to a leadership conference and awards luncheon in New York or London, depending on where they are located. 

Will I be informed if the candidate I nominate is not selected? 
Due to the volume of nominations, we do not contact unsuccessful applicants. However, the full list of honorees will be available at BusinessInsurance.com in July.