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The SMU NexGen Leadership Award 2025 - sponsored by Steel Dynamics and Modern Metals, recognizes and celebrates the excellence of emerging leaders within the greater steel community.

The SMU NexGen Leadership Award, is awarded to an individual working in a manufacturing or fabrication company that utilize mild carbon or automotive grade steels in their products, steel distributors (service centers or wholesalers), steel mills, trading companies or toll processors.

Qualifications for Nomination:

The NexGen Leadership Award will be awarded to the candidate whose emerging leadership within their company sets a standard for the rest of the industry, and exemplifies the best the industry has to offer regarding innovation, leadership, and rising star qualities as outlined below.

*Nominate yourself, or a colleague for the SMU NexGen Leadership Award. All nominees will be evaluated based on these criteria:

Must be 35 years of age or younger by August 1, 2025

Innovation:
  • Identified ways to improve processes or service delivery
  • Implemented change in a creative manner

Leadership:
  • Inspired and encouraged professional and personal development in self and others
  • Contributed to the success of an initiative that benefits those outside his/her own department
  • Assisted in attracting other young people into the industry

Rising Star:
  • Recognized by peers as a positive force within the company
  • Outstanding contributions toward completing a successful project and/or a change management program

All submissions for nominations are due by June 13, 2025. Any submissions received after this date will not be considered.

2025 Judges

Barry Schneider

President and COO
Steel Dynamics, Inc.

Philip K. Bell

President
Steel Manufacturers Association

Drew Gross

President and COO
Alliance Family of Companies

Philip K. Bell

President
Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA)

Geoff Gilmore

President and CEO
Worthington Steel

    The Award:

    The NexGen Leadership Award will be bestowed on the candidate whose emerging leadership within his or her company sets a standard for the rest of the industry.

    The final 3 nominees will receive the following:
    • Complimentary tickets to the 2025 SMU Steel Summit
    • Stipend for airfare and hotel expenses to travel to 2025 SMU Steel Summit
    • VIP dinner with industry leaders
    • ALL the finalists are invited to the VIP dinner

    The winner will receive the following:
    • Recognition in the Steel Market Update newsletter and on the SMU Steel Summit website
    • An invitation to attend one of the SMU Steel 101 or SMU Steel 201 workshops (registration fee will be waived)
    • An invitation to the 2026 SMU Steel Summit Conference with registration fees waived
    • A video of the award being presented
    • Recognition in the form of a trophy or plaque which can be proudly displayed on your desk or in your office
    • Cover feature story in the October issue of Modern Metals Magazine

    Please note:
    • The winner and finalists will be chosen before the 2025 SMU Steel Summit Conference by a blind judging process.
    • The three (3) finalists will be announced by July 8, 2025.
    • The award will be judged by a panel of industry leaders and experts selected by Steel Market Update, and the CRU Group and our sponsors.
    • Judges will be selected by Steel Market Update and the CRU Group and will be announced at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. 

    Dates for your diary:
    • March 25 - Nominations open
    • June 13 - Nominations Close
    • June 16 – 18 Blind Judging Preparations
    • June 19 – July 8 – judging period
    • July 9 – the three finalists are announced
    • August 25, 2025 Finalist VIP Dinner in Atlanta
    • August 26, 2025 NexGen Leadership Award Ceremony and winner announced

    The SMU NexGen Leadership Award is sponsored by:

    Silver sponsor:

    Bronze sponsor: