Recognizing Excellence in the Photonics Industry

This annual recognition celebrates individuals and companies that have made monumental contributions to the global optics and photonics industry. This prestigious prize honors those who exemplify Optica’s core values—technological innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and impact, as well as perseverance, business and technology foresight, and visionary leadership.

Categories
Prizes are presented annually in two distinct categories:

1. Individual Achievement – Recognizing an outstanding leader who has made a profound impact in the field.
2. Corporate Achievement – Honoring a company that has significantly advanced the optics and photonics industry.

We invite you to submit a nomination and help us recognize the leaders shaping the future of photonics. The winners will be formally announced at the Global Photonics Economic Forum, 24 - 25 September 2026, Malaga, Spain.

Key Dates & Timeline

Nomination Materials
The following nomination materials should be submitted to cpanos-gomez@optica.org.

1. Nominee’s name, affiliation, country, and primary email address.
2.  A concise (~30 word) statement that highlights the nominee’s contributions to the global optics and photonics industry.
3.  A half-page letter of support describing how the nominee has made a significant difference in our industry through innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and impact.

Nominator Requirements
Nominators must be current Optica members or employed by an Optica Corporate Member. Self-nomination is permitted for the corporate prize. Members of CEC can submit nominations. 

Nominee Requirements
Nominees must be current Optica members or employed by an Optica Corporate Member.

Global Photonics Economic Forum & 2026 Jury Panel
Reinhard Voelkel, SalesPro4U, Switzerland, Chair
Michael Lebby, USA, Past-Chair
Aleksandra Boskovic, USA
Simon Schwinger, JAT - Jenaer Antriebstechnik GmbH, Germany
Joseph Spilman, Optimax Systems Inc, USA
Natarajan Subrahmanyan, Verition Fund Management, USA

Submit your nomination by 13 March 2026 to cpanos-gomez@optica.org

We encourage you to nominate outstanding individuals and companies who are shaping the future of optics and photonics.
 

Prize Recipients

2025

Individual: John T. C. Lee, President and CEO of MKS

Corporate: Corning, represented by Claudio Mazzali, Head of Global Research
 

2024

Individual: Chuck Mattera, former CEO of Coherent

Corporate: imec, represented by Luc Van den Hove, CEO