The Schwab Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2025 awards at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The awards celebrate 18 social entrepreneurs and innovators from 15 organizations across 13 countries who are implementing systemic change worldwide. This year’s awardees are tackling critical issues such as healthcare, education, economic disparity, and environmental conservation.
Their innovative approaches are creating livelihoods for economically marginalized communities, addressing health disparities, and combating environmental challenges like deforestation. Hilde Schwab, co-founder of the Schwab Foundation, emphasized the importance of this recognition, stating, “It is a great privilege to introduce the 2025 awardees, a remarkable group of social entrepreneurs and innovators who embody integrity, humility, and positive values in their work.”
The awardees are divided into four categories: Social Entrepreneurs, Public Social Innovators, Corporate Social Innovators, and Collective Social Innovators. Among the Social Entrepreneurs are Cecilia Corral, Christina Mawuse Gyisun, Muzalema Mwanza, Valmir Ortega, Manuel Rosemberg, Aline Sara, Akshay Saxena, and Vineet Singal.
Schwab Foundation honors global innovators
Public Social Innovators include Islam Alijaj and Trinh Thi Huong, while Corporate Social Innovators are represented by Caitlyn (Juhong) Chen, Dr. Eric Cioè-Peña, and Fred Hersch.
The Collective Social Innovators category includes the Director of the Buddha Institute and National Convener of the RCRC, Poonam Muttreja, Apoorva Oza, Abraham Baffoe, and Dr. Madeleine Ballard. François Bonnici, Director of the Schwab Foundation, highlighted the significance of bold and innovative solutions in today’s world, stating, “In the face of significant challenges like instability, polarization, and unpredictable weather events, the work of social entrepreneurs and innovators is essential.
They are not just important; they are crucial in addressing these pressing needs.”
The Schwab Foundation has been bringing together the world’s leading social entrepreneurs and innovators for 27 years, improving millions of lives since its inception in partnership with the World Economic Forum. This year’s awardees join a community of almost 500 champions driving systemic change globally.