Centennial Award
Leadership in Credit Education Award
This prestigious honor is bestowed upon two individuals who have demonstrated dedication and commitment to the New York Institute of Credit and the Credit Industry
Founders Recognition Award
The Founders Award is a lifetime achievement recognition of an individual who has served in the Leadership and enhanced success of NYIC
Conrad B. Duberstein Award
For Excellence and Compassion in the Bankruptcy Judiciary
Trustees Award
Awarded to those that have served as an advocate for NYIC for many years
Future Leader of the Year Award
This award is presented to a Future Leader who has demonstrated personal growth in our industry and supported NYIC with efforts to help build the NYIC Future Leaders’ Division.
NYIC presented the first Future Leaders’ Awards in 2012. We look forward to many years of honoring more members of our community in hopes of strengthening our relationships and building the futures for our many participants in this industry—both future leaders and their mentors.
The Honorable Burton R. Lifland Mentor of the Year Award
This award is presented to an Industry Leader who has provided guidance and direction to future leaders and developed a reputation among future leaders as a mentor.
Women's Division Sheila Smith Executive of the Year Award
The NYIC Women’s Division Executive of the Year Award was renamed the Sheila Smith Executive of the Year Award in 2024. This award recognizes excellence in entrepreneurial spirit. The award is presented to those individuals who have achieved noteworthy success in business and who have assisted other women in achieving their goals. By acknowledging excellence in business, leadership, and a commitment to fostering the growth and success of other women in business, the NYIC Women’s Division hopes to inspire women to succeed and to help other women achieve success in business and in life.
Women’s Division The Honorable Cecelia H. Goetz Award
United States Bankruptcy Judge, E.D.N.Y.
(1917 – 2004)The first woman bankruptcy judge appointed in the Eastern District of New York, Judge Cecelia H. Goetz led a life that reflected a story of “firsts” and, in so doing, laid a foundation which enabled others to follow in her footsteps. As a student at New York University School of Law in the late 1930s, Judge Goetz excelled and was the first female editor of a major law review in the country. Yet, limited opportunities were available to her during those years because of religious and gender barriers. Undaunted, Judge Goetz joined the Department of Justice and ultimately became a member of the prosecution team at the Nuremberg Trials after having sought and received a special “exemption” for being a woman. Later, she worked as Assistant Chief Counsel to the Office of Price Stabilization, the first woman to reach such a high level in that agency. This was followed by her joining Herzfeld & Rubin, where she became a partner in 1964, specializing in complex anti-trust and commercial issues. In 1978, she was appointed a United States Bankruptcy Judge and one of the first female federal judges in the Second Circuit.The achievement of so many women professionals today has been made possible due to the perseverance and leadership of trailblazers like Judge Cecelia H. Goetz.
Women’s Division Renaissance Award
The NYIC Women’s Division Renaissance Award recognizes discovery and exploration in the ever-changing business world. The award is presented to those individuals who have served as trailblazers in the business community by dedication to continued learning, community service, mentorship and developing new business and leadership opportunities of others.