Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced on 31 August 2026 that it is committing $100 million to a revamped rewards programme targeting professionals who demonstrate skills the firm considers critical to its future.
The programme spans three award categories based on scope and impact. The first, everyday leadership, recognises actions that contribute to learning, experimentation, collaboration and leadership in the moment. The second, transformation that drives measurable results, rewards individuals whose contributions drive meaningful change through innovation, disruption, technology or growth. The third, game-changing impact for the enterprise, honours individuals or teams whose actions make a long-lasting, material impact on the firm.
Beyond formal categories, the programme opens peer recognition to all ranks, meaning professionals at every level can acknowledge a colleague's contribution as it happens, rather than waiting for annual review cycles.
Technology adoption is explicitly part of the criteria. The firm said the programme recognises professionals who harness advanced technologies to turn disruption into opportunity, placing AI fluency and adaptability alongside more traditional performance markers.
EY Americas CEO and US Managing Partner Dante D'Egidio said the pace and complexity of change in the industry requires confident leadership. Ginnie Carlier, EY Americas Chief Talent and Culture Officer, framed the move as a statement of organisational values, saying the firm wants professionals who push themselves to learn fast and drive lasting impact.
The $100 million commitment sits within a broader, multi-billion dollar investment EY US says it is making to attract and develop talent for a tech-led, human-powered world. The firm added that it is transforming every aspect of the employee lifecycle, from early career experience and career pathways through to learning and development.
