Awards | Alts 50

With Intelligence Alts 50

Awards Dinner

October 27, 2026. Rainbow Room, New York City

Awarding excellence

Through the inaugural Alts 50: Awards Dinner rankings, we will chronicle the most influential and important allocators in the US as an evolution of The Allocator Prizes – and you can help decide who gets a spot on the coveted list.

When compiling the awards and rankings, judges will take into consideration tenure, amount of capital allocated or advised on, size of organization, and the individual’s influence within the allocator community.

Fund manager lifetime achievement award winner

We’re thrilled to announce George Walker, Chairman and CEO of Neuberger, as the recipient of the 2026 Fund Manager Lifetime Achievement Award!

Under George’s leadership, Neuberger Berman has grown its alternatives business considerably, including in areas such as secondaries and private credit.

He has also led the firm while keeping it private and employee-owned, a decision that has allowed Neuberger Berman to stay closely aligned with its clients and employees.

That philosophy has earned the firm strong support from the allocator community over the years and is a big part of why George has been chosen for this inaugural award.

Allocator lifetime achievement award winner

We’re pleased to announce John D. Skjervem, CFA, Chief Investment Officer at Utah Retirement Systems, as the recipient of the 2026 Allocator Lifetime Achievement Award!

John has built his career around public-sector investing, leading investment organisations in both Oregon and Utah. While the two institutions are very different, he has brought the same thoughtfulness and imagination to each, using his investment expertise in service of their wider institutional missions.

His career reflects a longstanding commitment to public service, and he follows previous award recipients Ana Marshall, Michael Trotsky and Robin Diamonte.

Award categories

Finalists will shortlisted from submissions for the below categories with winners to be announced on the night. Click here to submit your entry.

The Alts 50 (Allocator)

We will publish the Alts 50 list in advance of the Awards evening. These rankings will be drawn from submissions and determined by our judging panel. The ranking’s Top 10 names will be announced on the night.

Randy Kim Prize for Fiduciary of the Year (Allocator)

For extraordinary actions in service the institutional mission & stakeholders. Often requires bravery and career risk.

Team of the Year (Allocator)

A group that may be large or small, but punches above its weight from the CIO to interns.

Partner of the Year (Servicer Provider/Manager)

For an individual that goes above and beyond in service of the institutional mission.

The following categories do not have a shortlist and winners will be announced on the night.

Lifetime Achievement Award (Allocator)

Often - but not necessarily - a CIO. Can be any leader at an allocator organization that deserves recognition for outstanding service.

Lifetime Achievement Award (Partner/Manager)

For someone trusted and admired by their allocator partners; a good person who does more than their business interests demand in support of mission-driven investing and of their community. Probably pays their taxes without whining.

Awards dinner venue

Rainbow Room

Perched above Rockefeller Center, the Rainbow Room has long been part of New York’s social and cultural fabric. Its sweeping views across Manhattan and timeless Art Deco design give the space a sense of occasion that few venues can match, making it a fitting setting for an evening centred around recognition, conversation and industry connection.

Our awards committee

A panel of institutional investment industry luminaries - leading figures from both the allocator and manager communities - will determine category finalists and winners, facilitated by The Allocator and informed by nominations.