Cayman Connection has announced the fifth anniversary of its Making Waves Awards, marking five years of recognising Caymanians whose work and leadership are creating meaningful impact beyond the Cayman Islands

Launched in 2021, the Making Waves Awards were established to celebrate Caymanians living overseas who are advancing their fields, strengthening communities and representing Caymanian values on the global stage. Since its inception, the programme has recognised recipients across nine sectors: arts, culture and heritage, STEM, education, health and wellness, financial and professional services, tourism, travel and hospitality, sports, environment and sustainability and inclusion.

As the Awards enter their fifth year, Cayman Connection will use 2026 to reflect on the programme’s legacy and honour the collective impact of both past recipients and honourees.

“Over the past five years, we’ve had the privilege of witnessing Caymanians around the world doing extraordinary things, often quietly and usually without seeking recognition. The Making Waves Awards give us the opportunity to pause, to acknowledge that impact and to showcase our incredible people and their achievements. This anniversary is a celebration not just of individual successes, but of a community that continues to support and uplift one another, wherever we are in the world,” said Ashlea Webster (Akinwumi), Cayman Connection Executive Director.

Webster shared that throughout the anniversary year, Cayman Connection will spotlight past award recipients and honourees, share “Where Are They Now?” features, and highlight the scope of the impact represented across the nine award categories. As it does each year, the organisation will invite the community to play its part in recognising excellence by submitting nominations for the 2026 Awards across the various categories. In addition, a new People’s Choice Award will be introduced, allowing the public to vote for a nominee to receive special recognition.

Nominations for the 2026 Making Waves Awards will open on 1 March and close on 13 April and the 2026 Awards ceremony will take place in August.

Details about nomination criteria and award categories can be found at

http://caymanconnection.org/nominate.