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iGB Launches Most Influential Women 2026: Nominations Now Open

By jili tutorial · September 11, 2026

iGB Launches Most Influential Women 2026: Nominations Now Open

A Milestone Ninth Year for Women in Gaming

iGB has officially launched its Most Influential Women 2026 initiative, marking the ninth year of a campaign that has become one of the gaming industry’s most recognised platforms for celebrating female talent. Since 2018, the initiative has championed women across the sector, highlighting their professional achievements and their role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within gaming.

What began as a way to honour standout women has grown into a wide-ranging movement. The campaign has explored careers, ambitions, and experiences of past winners, building a deeper understanding of the industry’s makeup. From recruitment and regulation to cybersecurity, tribal gaming, affiliates, gambling law, and C-suite leadership, the list of featured women reflects the breadth of the modern gaming ecosystem. Where roles, companies, and backgrounds differ, many of the women honoured share one thing in common: a determined drive to make the sector more inclusive.

Why the Most Influential Women Campaign Matters

A Platform for Progress

The gaming industry has made significant strides in recognising the importance of DEI, but there is still work to be done. The Most Influential Women campaign plays a unique role in that journey. It does not simply compile a list of names; it provides a stage for women to tell their own stories, share lessons learned, and inspire the next generation of leaders.

Past winners and honourees have used the platform to speak candidly about challenges and opportunities. For example, Olha Yatsyna has spoken about ensuring the gaming industry continues to open up to women, while Kate McCormick has reflected on how far the sector has come in recognising DEI. Their perspectives, along with those of many others, offer valuable insight into what still needs to change and how progress can be sustained.

The Strength of Diversity

One of the most striking themes to emerge over the years is the sheer diversity of talent within the industry. The campaign has deliberately sought nominations from every corner of the sector, not just the most visible positions. This has helped to shine a light on women working in specialised and often overlooked fields, including:

Each area brings its own challenges and successes, and together they paint a fuller picture of the gaming industry’s evolving leadership landscape.

What’s New for the 2026 Campaign

Submissions for the 2026 iGB Most Influential Women list are now open. This year, the campaign is pleased to welcome back the majority of its judging panel, with many judges returning for their first, second, or third consecutive year. The willingness of judges to return is a strong signal of the campaign’s credibility and its growing reputation across the industry.

As more media outlets launch their own rankings and lists, the confidence shown by long-standing judges and participants helps to set the Most Influential Women initiative apart. The campaign remains focused on meaningful recognition rather than simply generating publicity.

Who Should Be Nominated?

The 2026 campaign is looking for nominations that highlight all facets of the gaming sector. In particular, iGB wants to hear about women who are:

The nomination process is open to anyone who has made a significant impact. Whether the nominee is a rising star, a long-serving executive, a legal expert, a compliance leader, or a specialist in a less prominent area, the campaign encourages entries from across the industry.

How to Write a Strong Nomination

The quality of the nominations is essential to the integrity of the judging process. The more detail and insight provided, the clearer the picture of the nominee’s career and achievements. Nominations should go beyond job titles and include:

Please Avoid AI-Generated Submissions

While it can be tempting to use AI tools to draft a submission, iGB asks that entrants avoid doing so. Personal, thoughtfully written nominations are far more effective in showcasing a nominee’s unique story. A genuine, individual voice helps the judges evaluate entries against the campaign’s key criteria and ensures that every submission is treated on its merits.

Timeline and Judging Process

The submission window is now open. The deadline is 1 October, after which all nominations will be sent to the judging panel for final review. The judges will assess each entry based on the evidence provided, the nominee’s impact, and their contribution to diversity and inclusion in gaming.

For full details on the judges, submission guidelines, and important deadlines, please visit the official Most Influential Women campaign hub.

Learn From Previous Winners

One of the best ways to understand the campaign is to explore the work of those who have already been honoured. Interviews with last year’s winners, as well as the full list of honourees for 2025 and every previous year, are available to read. These stories provide insight into the diverse career paths of women in gaming and the many ways they have made a difference.

A Call to Participate

The iGB Most Influential Women campaign has grown because of the passion and generosity of the people who take part. Judges give their time, nominators share stories, and winners use their platforms to support others. The result is a lasting resource for the gaming industry and a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through inclusion.

As the 2026 campaign begins, iGB invites everyone in the sector to get involved. Whether you are nominating a colleague, a mentor, or someone whose work you admire, your contribution helps ensure that the next generation of women in gaming receives the recognition they deserve.

Submissions close on 1 October. Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate the women shaping the future of the gaming industry.