Schwab Foundation Celebrates 2025 Awardees Leading Global Change with Groundbreaking Social Innovation

(IN BRIEF) The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship has named 18 awardees for 2025, recognizing social entrepreneurs and innovators from 13 countries who are driving systemic change across sectors such as healthcare, education, and environmental protection. These leaders join a global network working to address pressing social challenges and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable world.

(PRESS RELEASE) DAVOS-KLOSTERS, 21-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — At the 2025 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with the Motsepe Foundation, proudly announced its latest cohort of 18 awardees. These visionary social entrepreneurs and innovators, representing 15 organizations across 13 countries, are at the forefront of addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges—from healthcare and education to environmental conservation and economic inclusion.

The 2025 awardees are advancing groundbreaking solutions that not only tackle urgent issues but also promote systemic, positive change. Their efforts are transforming industries, creating livelihoods for marginalized communities, protecting nature, and reducing inequalities on a global scale. From the United States to Zambia, from Central Africa to India, these leaders are shaping a more equitable and sustainable world.

Hilde Schwab, Co-Founder and Chairperson of the Schwab Foundation, shared her admiration for the new awardees: “It is with great pride that we introduce these exceptional social entrepreneurs and innovators. They embody the values of integrity, humility, and a deep commitment to making the world a better place. Their achievements reflect the collective dedication of social entrepreneurs worldwide, who are dedicated to fighting inequality and preserving our natural ecosystems.”

Social entrepreneurship continues to gain momentum globally, with over 10 million social enterprises generating 200 million jobs and contributing $2 trillion annually. These enterprises are also driving innovation in the green and digital transitions, improving outcomes for the most vulnerable populations. However, despite their significant economic contribution, social enterprises face a $1.1 trillion funding gap, a challenge the Schwab Foundation seeks to address through initiatives like the Rise Ahead Pledge.

François Bonnici, Director of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, highlighted the urgency of this work: “The world faces unprecedented challenges—instability, polarization, and extreme weather events. At the same time, we are undergoing profound transformations through the green and digital transitions. While these shifts present economic opportunities, they also risk exacerbating existing inequalities. The need for bold, innovative solutions is more critical than ever, and social entrepreneurs are leading the way.”

The 2025 Schwab Foundation Awardees are recognized across four categories:

Social Entrepreneurs – Individuals using innovative, market-driven approaches to directly address societal issues:

Cecilia Corral, Co-Founder of CareMessage
Christina Mawuse Gyisun, Co-Founder of Sommalife
Muzalema Mwanza, Founder of Safe Motherhood Alliance
Valmir Ortega, Founder of Belterra Agroflorestas
Manuel Rosemberg, CEO of ANA Care
Aline Sara, Co-Founder of NaTakallam
Akshay Saxena, Co-Founder of Avanti Fellows
Vineet Singal, Co-Founder of CareMessage

Public Social Innovators – Leaders within the public sector harnessing social innovation to create public good:

Islam Alijaj, Founder of Tatkraft
Trinh Thi Huong, Deputy Director-General of the Agency for Enterprise Development, Vietnam

Corporate Social Innovators – Leaders within multinational companies driving initiatives that address societal and environmental challenges:

Caitlyn (Juhong) Chen, Vice-President, Tencent
Dr. Eric Cioè-Peña, Founder of the Center for Global Health, Northwell Health
Fred Hersch, Senior Product Manager, Google Health

Collective Social Innovators – Individuals bringing together organizations to tackle complex societal issues:

Ved Arya, Director of the Buddha Institute
Abraham Baffoe, Technical Lead, Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative (ASCI)
Dr. Madeleine Ballard, CEO of the Community Health Impact Coalition (CHIC)

These 18 changemakers join a global community of nearly 500 individuals whose work is positively impacting the lives of over 930 million people worldwide. The Schwab Foundation continues to highlight and support these extraordinary leaders, providing them with the platform, resources, and connections needed to scale their solutions and make an even greater impact.

In addition to the awards, the Schwab Foundation has been instrumental in the Rise Ahead Pledge, which unites businesses to enhance the social economy by 2030. This initiative has already garnered support from over two dozen world-leading companies, collectively investing $278 million in corporate social innovation to date.

About the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship

For 27 years, in partnership with the World Economic Forum, the Schwab Foundation has been at the forefront of bringing together the world’s leading social entrepreneurs and innovators across the most diverse sectors and geographical boundaries. This year’s awardees join an existing community of almost 500 champions whose collective work has improved millions of lives since 1998. The Schwab Foundation is the foremost global community of pioneering social entrepreneurs and innovators driving systemic change. For more information, click here.

About the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025, taking place in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, from 20 to 24 January, convenes global leaders under the theme Collaboration for the Intelligent Age. The meeting will foster new partnerships and insights to shape a more sustainable, inclusive future in an era of rapidly advancing technology, focusing on five key areas: Reimagining Growth, Industries in the Intelligent Age, Investing in People, Safeguarding the Planet, and Rebuilding Trust. Click here to learn more.

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