The Investment Industry Association of Canada (IIAC) and the Smarten Up Institute (SUI), both of which are based Toronto, are looking for Canada’s next “Top Under 40” investment professional.

The IIAC Top Under 40 award, now in its third year, recognizes an individual under the age of 40 who is employed in the investment industry in Canada and has demonstrated initiative, professional accomplishment and personal character that marks this person as a future leader in the industry.

“What’s wonderful about this program is that every year you find out about a young professional in the financial [and] investment community who is doing something really worthwhile,” says Laurie Clark, CEO of SUI, which sponsors the award.

The recipient will have the opportunity to work alongside a top industry leader, such as the president or chairman of an investment firm, for one week. The winner will also enjoy a weekend for two in New York City and a course of his or her choosing at SUI in Toronto, or a course associated with SUI through a partner university or college.

Neal Weston, vice president, chief anti-money laundering officer and privacy officer with the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (Canada) Ltd., won the award in 2014.

The IIAC is also accepting nominations for its 2015 class of the IIAC Investment Industry Hall of Fame, which honours excellence, integrity and leadership in Canada’s investment industry.

“[Our inductees] have strongly contributed not only to the growth and prosperity of our industry, but also to the building of Canadian businesses and financial security of many Canadians,” says Ian Russell, the IIAC’s president and CEO.

Up to four living and four posthumous candidates are inducted annually into the IIAC Investment Industry Hall of Fame. A selection committee made up of distinguished Canadians from areas such as politics, law, business and the investment industry will choose this year’s inductees. No one associated with the IIAC is a part of the selection process.

The winner of the IIAC Top Under 40 award and the newest inductees into the IIAC Investment Industry Hall of Fame will be recognized at a dinner and ceremony in Toronto on Oct. 29.

“The link of the Hall of Fame award to the Top Under 40 award recognizes ‘the passing of the torch’ from past glories that have set the industry standard to the promise of the next generation,” Russell says.

Nominations for the 2015 IIAC Top Under 40 award will be accepted until 5 p.m. ET on May 31. Details regarding criteria and the nomination process can be found at www.smartenupinstitute.com/iiac-top-under-40-award.

The IIAC will take nominations for this year’s Investment Industry Hall of Fame inductees until 5 p.m. ET on May 22. Further information regarding this honour is available at http://iiac.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IIAC-Hall-of-Fame-Seeks-2015-Nominations.pdf.