The Moment Has Arrived: Young Project Manager of the Year 2026 Finalists Announced

The future of project management continues to be shaped by talented professionals who bring fresh perspectives, innovative approaches, and a commitment to excellence. Today, we are delighted to celebrate the emerging leaders who are already making a meaningful impact.

The IPMA Global Individual Awards Team is proud to announce the finalists for one of our most inspiring categories — Young Project Manager of the Year 2026.

This prestigious award recognizes exceptional young professionals under the age of 35 who have demonstrated outstanding project management capabilities, strong leadership, and the ability to deliver value in complex and evolving environments. These individuals represent the next generation of project leaders, combining professional excellence with innovative thinking, adaptability, and a commitment to creating positive impact.

Following a comprehensive, multi-stage international evaluation conducted by a panel of experienced assessors, three outstanding finalists have been selected. Each finalist has demonstrated remarkable project achievements, strategic awareness, effective stakeholder engagement, and a dedication to continuous growth and improvement.

We proudly present the finalists for the Young Project Manager of the Year 2026 in alphabetical order:

• Joaquin Abadin (Spain), with a project Electrolyzer Electrical Engineering Performance & Capability Program, Accelera by Cummins
• Omar Muzhafar Bin Omar Zohrie (Malaysia), with a project STELLAR 2.0: Implementation of Closed Loop Capabilities, PETRONAS DIGITAL SDN BHD
• Rola Samman (Saudi Arabia), with a project National Picture Archiving and Communication System PACS, Solutions by stc

Let’s celebrate these inspiring professionals and extend our appreciation to all young project managers who participated in this year’s competition. Your passion, creativity, and dedication are contributing to the continued evolution of the profession and inspiring the future of project management worldwide.

The final rankings will be announced during the IPMA Global Awards Gala Ceremony on 18 September 2026 in Hiroshima, Japan. This year’s Awards Gala will be a special occasion, marking the closing of the 35th IPMA World Congress.

We warmly invite you to join us for this special occasion and honour the achievements of the world’s most exceptional project professionals.

Tickets for the Gala are available here: IPMA World Congress 2026 Tickets – Secure your participation now