iGB has launched its Most Influential Women initiative for the ninth consecutive year, continuing its commitment to recognizing women’s contributions in the gaming sector. Since 2018, this initiative has celebrated the efforts of women who have advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the industry.
Each year, the campaign highlights various sectors and subsectors, showcasing the industry's remarkable diversity of talent. Past winners have shared their journeys and aspirations, providing insights into the evolving landscape of the sector.
In 2026, winner Olha Yatsyna emphasized the importance of making the gaming industry more accessible to women. The initiative has explored a broad range of fields—including recruitment, regulation, cybersecurity, tribal gaming, affiliates, gambling law, and C-suite leadership—revealing a shared ambition among honorees to enhance diversity across the board.
Submissions for this year's list are now open. Many judges from previous years are returning, highlighting the campaign’s reputation within the industry as these rankings continue to gain traction in media outlets.
As of today, iGB is inviting nominations for the 2026 Most Influential Women list, seeking to honor those women who are leading changes within their companies or the broader sector. Submitters are encouraged to provide detailed information about their nominees to clearly illustrate the individuals’ careers and accomplishments.
While the lure of using AI to assist in writing submissions may be strong, iGB requests that entrants refrain from this practice. Personal narratives yield richer insights, facilitating better evaluations based on key criteria.
The deadline for submissions is 1 October, after which nominations will be assessed by the esteemed panel of judges. Additional details about the judging process, submission guidelines, and deadlines can be found through iGB's channels, offering access to interviews with past winners and previous lists.
iGB looks forward to collaborating with judges to highlight the exceptional talents within the gaming industry once more.
