Community 3 min read
Top Voices in Risk ’25: Honoring the people behind transformation in financial services
In financial services, innovation tends to be framed in terms of technology. New models. New data. New tools. But the biggest shifts in how risk is managed don’t come from code — they come from people.
At Taktile, we’ve seen firsthand that behind every high-performing risk strategy and financial product are people thinking differently: a mentor who nurtures talent, a leader who challenges assumptions, or a practitioner who shares hard-won insights so others can move faster.
We believe these voices deserve more visibility. That’s why we’re launching Top Voices in Risk ’25 — an annual recognition of 25 individuals who are helping the industry rethink what’s possible when it comes to risk.
“Some of the most meaningful progress in financial services today is being driven by people who rarely seek the spotlight,” says Maik Taro Wehmeyer, Co-Founder and CEO of Taktile. “This program is about recognizing those individuals — the ones challenging assumptions, mentoring teams, and quietly shaping how risk is understood and practiced across the industry.”
Why it’s time to spotlight the people behind risk innovation
Risk teams today are at the center of transformation in financial services. They're the ones balancing innovation with stability and managing uncertainty while accelerating growth. As AI and automation reshape workflows, the human side of risk — judgment, leadership, and communication — becomes even more critical.
Yet the people shaping this transformation often go unrecognized.
Recognizing real impact in risk management—beyond job titles
Top Voices in Risk ’25 is designed to shine a light on individuals who are redefining how risk management is taught, practiced, and understood. Some may be well-known in the industry. Others may lead from within. This program is about honoring both.
We welcome nominations across all areas of financial services, and across all career stages—from senior executives to emerging voices. What matters most is not where someone works, but how they’ve made a difference.
Nominees may demonstrate impact in one or more of the following ways:
Mentorship and team development
Helping others grow by offering support, guidance, and leadership that builds confidence and capability within teams.
Public thought leadership
Contributing new ideas, raising important questions, or offering clear perspectives that shape how others approach risk—whether through writing, speaking, or community dialogue.
Operational and strategic impact
Improving how risk is embedded into business decisions—whether by evolving internal processes, leading structural change, or driving more thoughtful practices at scale.
Community and culture building
Creating inclusive, collaborative environments that elevate the field of risk and make space for more people to contribute to it.
Whether someone is reshaping policy at an established institution, leading innovation at a fintech, or quietly mentoring the next generation of practitioners, their influence deserves recognition. We want to hear those stories.
How to submit a nomination
You can nominate someone else—or yourself—by sharing a short story that brings their impact to life.
- No résumé required.
- No formal application needed.
- Nominations can be fully anonymous.
Submissions are open until June 25, 2025. Honorees will be announced later that month and featured through a series of interviews and stories designed to spotlight their work.
This is not just a recognition program—it’s a way to celebrate the people shaping the future of risk and to invite the broader industry into that conversation.
