Jenna Williams to Receive IAOTP Trailblazer Award in New York City

The International Association of Top Professionals will honor commercial banker Jenna Williams at its 2026 Annual Awards Gala at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The award recognizes her leadership in banking and her work promoting women in business and finance, including her post-stroke platform focused on resilience and mental health.

Why it matters: - Jenna Williams is being recognized for leadership in commercial banking and for helping create pathways for women in business and finance. - The honor also spotlights her post-stroke work on mental health, resilience and professional confidence. - IAOTP’s Trailblazer Award is meant to recognize people who break new ground and challenge the status quo.

What happened: - The International Association of Top Professionals selected Jenna Williams for its Trailblazer of the Year Award. - IAOTP will present the award at its 2026 Annual Awards Gala at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. - The gala page is available at the award gala announcement.

The details: - Williams is an award-winning commercial banker with more than 20 years of experience. - Her background includes commercial lending, business banking, real estate investment, business ownership and executive leadership. - Her past roles include Loan Officer, Commercial Relationship Manager, Business Development Officer, Assistant Vice President, Vice President, Communications Consultant, Project Manager and Sales Executive. - Williams has built her career around business development, relationship management and strategic commercial banking. - Her recognitions include Top Small Business Administration Specialist of the Year, Empowered Woman of the Year and Top Commercial Banker of the Decade. - In 2026, IAOTP will also recognize her induction into Bombshell Boss Babes and her Executive Choice Award. - Williams has also been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who of Professional Women for contributions to business, finance and leadership. - She is active in Commercial Real Estate Women, where she has held leadership roles including board positions and committee chair appointments. - Outside of work, Williams enjoys golf, gardening, cooking, yoga, Pilates and reading. - Her website for the podcast is Just Call Jenna. - She also shared a video at her YouTube interview.

Between the lines: - The award adds to a long list of honors that IAOTP says Williams has earned across banking and leadership. - Williams has widened her message since surviving a stroke in 2023, turning part of her platform toward mental health and recovery. - Her podcast, “Just Call Jenna,” uses neuroscience and personal experience to focus on stress regulation and confidence building. - Williams said, “I am not starting over — I’m starting from experience. I am not a work in progress — I am a success in progress.”

What's next: - Williams will be honored in person at IAOTP’s gala in New York City. - She is continuing to build her podcast and website as a platform for women and professionals in banking and real estate. - Williams says her message remains focused on mental health and living a life worth living. - IAOTP’s announcement also points readers to her LinkedIn profile at Jenna Williams on LinkedIn.

The bottom line: - IAOTP is elevating Williams as both a banking executive and a public advocate for resilience, leadership and women’s advancement.