A Philosophy of Excellence
Presented exclusively by the Swiss Academy for Leadership and Sustainability (SALS) in Geneva, these awards are conferred upon the world’s most distinguished leaders. We honor the visionaries, change-makers, and innovators who translate ethical leadership into tangible, lasting global impact, whose strategies and actions align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the principles of enlightened governance.
Why this Award Truly Matters
In today's "shaken" geopolitical landscape, traditional institutions face a profound trust deficit. As we navigate an "Age of Paradox" defined by rapid automation and decentralization, the world requires a definitive arbiter of executive merit. While technology and AI can now simulate professional competence, SALS validates what machines cannot: Character and Ethical Integrity. We believe true leadership is a pure status distinction anchored in principles. This award recognizes the courage to move beyond simple compliance, treating sustainability as a core driver of innovation and long-term value. By certifying leaders who align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we ensure that global governance remains human-centered and anchored in ethical integrity.
The Nomination Journey
To ensure these awards remain the definitive global benchmark for excellence, the Swiss Academy for Leadership and Sustainability (SALS) utilizes a selection process defined by absolute independence and prestige. Standing as a pure status distinction, these honors are earned, never brokered. The Nomination journey is governed by a rigorous, four-tier criteria designed to identify the world's most impactful leaders. Winners are determined by a multidisciplinary Jury composed of 20 internationally respected figures across leadership, diplomacy, sustainability, governance, and ethics. Nominations are shaped exclusively through independent references and deep-dive assessments.
The Swiss Academy for Leadership and Sustainability (SALS) is deeply honored to announce that Richard Pimper, Vice President and CTO of Huawei Digital Power, has been selected as a recipient of the inaugural Swiss Academy Award for Champion in Sustainable Digital Transformation.
This prestigious award recognizes preeminent global leaders whose vision and impact meet the scale of today’s global challenges.
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬. The SALS selection committee unanimously chose Richard for his profound contributions to the intersection of technology and ecology, specifically highlighting:
🏆 𝐏𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Redefining the “Green Cloud” movement and proving that digital transformation is only successful when it is inherently sustainable.
🏆 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: Achieving 98.4% energy efficiency in critical infrastructure through solutions like PowerPOD 3.0, directly supporting the acceleration of the SDGs. 🏆 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: Delivering essential, time-sensitive insights into the innovations defining today’s global industries for C-Suite executives.
🏆 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞: Leveraging a career spanning high-level government policy and private sector leadership to create a vital bridge for responsible business governance.
We celebrate Richard’s commitment to integrating green energy solutions into the backbone of the digital economy and his role in strengthening the bridge between high-level policy and visionary business leadership.
We are immensely proud to announce a distinguished recipient of the 2025 Swiss Academy Awards: Mark Hehir, General Manager of Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, and Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts.
The Swiss Academy for Leadership and Sustainability (SALS) has conferred this honor for Global Hospitality Leadership and Embodied Vision.
This award recognizes a leader whose 38-year career is the definition of “embodied leadership”—where professional excellence and personal values are seamlessly integrated to transform the luxury guest experience.
Why this recognition is well-deserved:
🏆 A Legacy of Global Influence: With nearly four decades of leadership across brands like The Ritz-Carlton, Hilton, and One&Only, Mark has set the international gold standard for operational mastery.
🏆 A Living Sustainability Vision: Under his leadership, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray has achieved a staggering 89% reduction in waste by weight and saved over 32,000 meals, proving that ultra-luxury can be a force for environmental good.
🏆 Innovation in Practice: From urban hydroponic farming at Arcadia to pioneering circular economy models, he has turned abstract sustainability goals into a tangible, lived reality for guests and staff alike.
🏆 Human-Centric Leadership: His commitment to “servant leadership” continues to nurture the next generation of global hospitality talent, fostering a workplace culture rooted in trust and pride.
At SALS, we believe that true transformation happens when vision is embodied. Mark Hehir’s career is a testament to the power of a lived commitment to excellence and sustainability.
Website: https://www.jumeirah.com/
The Swiss Academy for Leadership and Sustainability (SALS) is deeply honored to announce that Edward Glanville of The Economist and Economist Impact has been selected as a recipient of the inaugural Swiss Academy Award for Impact Leader in Global Sustainability.
This prestigious award recognizes preeminent global leaders whose vision and impact meet the scale of today’s global challenges.
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬. The SALS selection committee unanimously chose Edward for his profound contributions to sustainability and leadership, specifically highlighting:
🏆 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞: Shapping the international narrative on climate action and corporate responsibility through his influential work at The Economist.
🏆 𝐄𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲: Providing a rigorous framework that links economic success to positive societal influence and environmental stability.
🏆 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Covering sustainable finance and green technology to ensure global advancement remains rooted in human-centric values.
🏆 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐃𝐆 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚: Bridging the gap between high-level policy and responsible leadership by highlighting nature-based solutions.
We celebrate Edward’s commitment to “Conscious Leadership” and his role in strengthening the bridge between global media excellence and sustainable practice.
The Swiss Academy for Leadership and Sustainability (SALS) is proud to announce that The Executive Magazine has been honored with the inaugural Swiss Academy Award for The Fastest-Rising Global Business Magazine for Leadership. In an era of rapid change, The Executive Magazine has emerged as a powerhouse, redefining how C-level authority is communicated and shared across the global private sector.
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥:
🏆 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐦: As the fastest-rising publication in its field, it has become a trusted resource for decision-makers and game-changers worldwide.
🏆 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲: Their focus on strategic innovation and ethical governance empowers leaders to navigate the complexities of modern business.
🏆 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠: By highlighting the journeys of world-class executives and entrepreneurs, they provide the inspiration needed to build a more sustainable and impactful future.
Congratulations to the entire team at The Executive Magazine for their remarkable ascent and their commitment to elevating global leadership standards!
Website: https://theexecutivemagazine.com/
The Board of Directors of the Swiss Academy for Leadership and Sustainability (SALS) is proud to formally announce that Cathy Hackl has been selected as a recipient of the inaugural Swiss Academy Award for Excellence Leadership. As a Geneva-based center of excellence dedicated to advancing ethical leadership and driving sustainable development, SALS established these awards to celebrate global leaders whose vision meets the scale of our current global challenges.
Cathy Hackl is a 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭, 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫, and one of the most in-demand keynote speakers redefining how we understand the intersection of AI, immersive technologies, the future of computing, new hardware, and societal shifts. Often called the “𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞”, Hackl has not only shaped the future of immersive technologies for years but has also been lauded by many in the tech world as one of the best predictors of future tech and tech habits in the world. She serves as Futurist at Nokia.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲’𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬:
🏆 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬: As a world-renowned tech futurist, she has provided a visionary platform for sustainable growth within the emerging digital economy.
🏆 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡: Her work directly addresses how AI and spatial computing can be harnessed to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
🏆 𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: By championing the concept of “Harnessing the Power of Shared Humanity,” she has built an assembly of leaders committed to social impact in a complex virtual world.
We believe Cathy’s leadership creates a vital bridge between high-level policy and the daily practice of responsible business. It is our profound honor to extend this recognition to her.
The Swiss Academy for Leadership and Sustainability (SALS) proudly honors Sustainability Magazine with the award for Promoting Impact Investing, Climate Change solutions and Transformative Leadership.
Their global media platform serves as a vital bridge, successfully connecting high-level policy and governance best practices with the daily actions of responsible business leaders.
𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. The Academy recognizes Sustainability Magazine in the following key areas:
🏆 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Serving as a crucial global media platform, Sustainability Magazine fosters cooperation, impact, and sustainable growth.
🏆 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 (𝐒𝐃𝐆𝐬) 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞: Framing sustainability not merely as a moral concern, but as a strategic business imperative. Its content encourages CEOs to address issues of Community and Environmental Responsibility and amplifies the ideas of entrepreneurs whose visions “will lead to a better, brighter future for society”.
🏆 𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: They attract an extraordinary assembly of leaders committed to social impact, setting a global benchmark for ethical business strategy.
Congratulations to the entire team at Sustainability Magazine for their outstanding, decade-long commitment to sustainable transformation!
Website: https://sustainabilitymag.com/
We are thrilled to announce that Horasis has been selected as a recipient of the inaugural Swiss Academy Award for Excellence Leadership! 🎉
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩:
🏆 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: For over two decades, Horasis has served as an influential global visions community and think tank, providing a platform to foster cooperation and sustainable growth worldwide.
🏆 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐃𝐆𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: Their panels consistently focus on implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate change challenges. They also champion values-based investing and conscious leadership, mobilizing significant impact capital toward regenerative projects.
🏆 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲, 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: Horasis brings together over 1,000 selected world leaders, heads of state, CEOs, and activists at summits like the Horasis Global Summit. By framing discussions around “Harnessing the Power of Cooperation” and “Fostering Shared Humanity,” they emphasize integrating financial success with positive societal influence.
We extend our profound honor in recognizing Dr. Frank-JürgenRichter, Chairman of Horasis, and the entire organization.
Website: https://horasis.org/
We are incredibly honored and proud to announce that l’Express Mauritius has been selected as a recipient of the inaugural Swiss Academy Award 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠.
This award formally recognizes and celebrates preeminent global leaders and institutions whose vision and impact align with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). L’Express.mu was unanimously recognized by the selection committee.
𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐋’𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬.𝐦𝐮’𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭. The Academy recognizes L’Express.mu‘s essential role in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean region through the following key areas:
🏆 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐃𝐆 12): L’Express.mu demonstrates leadership in upholding a strict Code of Conduct that combats disinformation and promotes high-quality, objective reporting. This commitment reflects the responsible production and consumption of information.
🏆 𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬 (𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐃𝐆 17): As a critical, independent media entity, L’Express.mu acts as a vital institution for public accountability and transparency. This action creates the necessary conditions for strong partnerships between the public, private sector, and government.
🏆 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: The organization actively utilizes its platform to educate the public and business sector on complex sustainability topics , including ESG criteria, climate change adaptation, and corporate accountability.
We genuinely believe L’Express.mu‘s presence among our awardees underscores the indispensable role of responsible journalism in achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals.
Congratulations to Mr. Nad Sivaramen and the entire team at L’Express.mu. We look forward to your formal acceptance of this prestigious award.
Website: https://lexpress.mu/
This prestigious honor celebrates institutions that are truly shaping a sustainable future. Girne American University has earned this recognition 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝘿𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.
We recognize their exceptional dedication to:
- Fostering Global Engagement that bridges cultures and ideas worldwide.
- Championing Innovation in education and operations to meet future needs.
- Prioritizing Sustainable Development in their mission and impact.
Congratulations to the leadership, faculty, and students of 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 for setting a global benchmark for responsible academic excellence.
Website: https://www.gau.edu.tr/
This prestigious honor recognizes Istanbul Arel University’s profound and unwavering commitment to 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙀𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙉𝙚𝙭𝙩-𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙀𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. In an era defined by complexity and rapid change, institutions that actively embed ethical principles, sustainability, and forward-thinking education into their core mission are true global leaders. Istanbul Arel University stands out for its dedication to:
- Cultivating the next generation of responsible, globally-aware leaders.
- Integrating ethical frameworks into their curriculum and institutional culture.
- Pioneering educational models that address the challenges of the future.
Congratulations to Prof. Dr. Ersin GÖSE and the entire community at Istanbul Arel University. Your vision is setting a new standard for academic excellence worldwide.
Website: https://arel.edu.tr/