The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, in partnership with the World Economic Forum, has announced its 2025 awardees during the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The prestigious accolade recognizes 18 social entrepreneurs and innovators from 15 organizations spanning 13 countries who are making significant contributions to addressing pressing global issues and driving systemic, positive change. These awardees are at the forefront of transforming healthcare and education, creating livelihoods for economically marginalized communities, protecting nature, and more.
The Schwab Foundation Awards initiate a three-year journey to support and empower the recipients, who will join a robust global community of leading social entrepreneurs and innovators dedicated to building a more equitable and sustainable world. Hilde Schwab, Co-Founder and Chairperson of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, said, “This year’s awardees are transforming healthcare and education, creating income opportunities for displaced individuals, combatting deforestation, and improving the lives of vulnerable communities. Their extraordinary achievements embody integrity, humility, and positive values, reflecting the broader community of social entrepreneurs fighting social inequalities and preserving natural ecosystems.”
The award winners are categorized into four distinct groups: Social Entrepreneurs, Public Social Innovators, Corporate Social Innovators, and Collective Social Innovators.
Social Entrepreneurs include Cecilia Corral, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer addressing healthcare disparities; Christina Mawuse Gyisun, Co-Founder tackling the socioeconomic exclusion of women smallholder shea nut farmers in West Africa; Muzalema Mwanza, Founder of a Zambian organization ensuring safe childbirth for pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa; and Valmir Ortega, Founder of an initiative restoring degraded land through agroforestry in Brazil.
schwab foundation celebrates 2025 awardees
Public Social Innovators include Islam Alijaj, Founder and President advocating for people with disabilities in Switzerland, and Trinh Thi Huong, Deputy Director-General in Viet Nam promoting inclusive and sustainable businesses.
Corporate Social Innovators include Caitlyn (Juhong) Chen, Vice-President driving “Tech for Good” initiatives; Dr. Eric Cioè-Peña, Founder of the Center for Global Health in New York addressing global health inequities; and Fred Hersch, Senior Product Manager collaborating with the World Health Organization to develop digital health solutions. Collective Social Innovators include Santosh Arya, Director of the Buddha Institute and National Convener of RCRC, addressing the needs of vulnerable communities in India; Apoorva Oza, Global Lead for Agriculture and Climate addressing sustainable agriculture in Asia; Abraham Baffoe, Technical lead of the Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative (ASCI) promoting forest-friendly agriculture; and Dr.
Madeleine Ballard, CEO of the Community Health Impact Coalition advocating for professionalizing community health workers worldwide. François Bonnici, Director of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, emphasized the importance of their work, stating, “Our world is grappling with instability and transformation due to green and digital transitions. The need for bold and innovative solutions that social entrepreneurs and innovators provide is essential.
These awardees join an existing community of nearly 500 champions whose collective work has improved millions of lives since 1998.
For more information on the award categories and nominations, visit the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.