IAOTP names Amnah Ajmal top fintech businesswoman for 2026

Amnah Ajmal has been selected as IAOTP’s Top Business Woman of the Year in Fintech for 2026 and will be honored at the group’s annual gala at the Plaza Hotel in New York City later this year. The recognition spotlights her leadership in financial services, her work as founder and CEO of SheKnows, and her broader push to advance women leaders and financial innovation.

Why it matters: - IAOTP’s award puts a spotlight on Amnah Ajmal’s role in fintech leadership and the growing emphasis on women executives in financial services. - The honor also amplifies Ajmal’s platform as she expands SheKnows and prepares to publish Vested Leadership.

What happened: - The International Association of Top Professionals selected Amnah Ajmal as Top Business Woman of the Year in Fintech for 2026. - IAOTP will recognize Ajmal at its annual awards gala at the Plaza Hotel in New York City later this year. - IAOTP President Stephanie Cirami called Ajmal “inspirational, influential, and a true visionary and thought leader.”

The details: - Ajmal has nearly three decades of experience in financial services and fintech. - Ajmal is the founder and CEO of SheKnows, a global leadership platform that offers private one-to-one Growth Navigator sessions for women navigating career moments. - SheKnows uses five signature tracks, and clients choose the focus and outcome that fit their path. - The Growth Navigators are global leaders who have led organizations across 100+ countries. - Ajmal is also the author of the forthcoming book Vested Leadership. - The book promotes a leadership philosophy centered on courage, conviction, and investing in people. - Before founding SheKnows, Ajmal held senior roles at Citibank and Standard Chartered. - At Mastercard, Ajmal served as executive vice president for market development in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. - In that role, Ajmal led acceptance, acquiring, merchant solutions, digital partnerships, fintech, strategy, and mergers and acquisitions across the region. - Earlier at Mastercard, Ajmal led the company’s North America Products organization. - Ajmal earned a master’s degree in finance from the London School of Economics and Political Science. - Her past recognitions include Lattice80 and IBM & FinTech Magazine’s Top 100 Women in Fintech globally, The Financial Technology Report US’s Top 25 Women Leaders in Financial Technology, and FinTech Magazine’s America’s Top 10 Women in Fintech. - Forbes Middle East named Ajmal among its 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen in 2024 and 2025. - Ajmal will also be considered for IAOTP’s Empowered Woman Award and featured in Top Industry Professionals magazine this year. - Ajmal said the recognition belongs to the mentors, colleagues, and teams she has worked with throughout her career. - Ajmal said her work remains focused on advancing innovation, developing future leaders, and building organizations where people can thrive.

Between the lines: - IAOTP’s selection criteria emphasize professional accomplishments, leadership, academic achievements, longevity, affiliations, and community contributions. - The award adds another credential to Ajmal’s profile at a time when she is positioning herself as both a fintech executive and a leadership voice for women. - The recognition also reinforces the market value of executive platforms that blend career coaching, thought leadership, and global networking.

What's next: - Ajmal plans to expand SheKnows globally. - Ajmal plans to publish Vested Leadership. - IAOTP’s gala later this year will formally recognize the 2026 award recipients. - More information is available here and at IAOTP.