On October 28, Hilton Singapore Orchard will honor the 2026 Steward Leadership 25 for their impactful projects.
Recognizing Sustainable Success
On October 28, 2026, the Steward Leadership Institute will recognize 25 exceptional companies at the Hilton Singapore Orchard. These organizations are not just aiming for profitability; they are tackling pressing environmental and social issues through their innovative projects.
This is the fifth edition of the Steward Leadership 25 (SL25) awards, which celebrate initiatives across Asia and the Pacific that successfully combine financial viability with a commitment to steward leadership.
Impact Beyond Borders
The SL25 winners represent a diverse array of impact geographies, now spanning 27 locations from Mongolia to Iraq. This is a significant increase from just 11 regions in the inaugural edition in 2022, signaling a broader commitment to address challenges on a global scale.
Unlike many awards that categorize winners by nationality, the SL25 focuses solely on the impact of the projects and the communities they affect. Winning initiatives are grouped into five major areas: climate and nature, waste and circularity, empowering communities, health, and digital well-being.
Categories of Change
This year, the climate and nature category continues to lead, featuring 10 projects that range from innovative energy storage solutions in Vietnam to efforts aimed at restoring vital ecosystems, such as grazing lands to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
Growth has also been seen in the waste and circularity category, which has expanded from two winners in 2022 to five this year. Past initiatives included transforming waste materials into upcycled footwear, retrieving valuable minerals from e-waste, and converting surplus agricultural products into nutritious powders.
Healthcare initiatives have made remarkable strides, with five winners this year compared to just one in 2022. These efforts included comprehensive on-site health care for workers and setting safer childbirth standards across India.
Technological Innovations at the Forefront
Technology plays an increasingly significant role in the projects being recognized. More than half of this year's winners highlighted tech-based solutions, including hydrogen-powered clinics in rural areas and digital financial platforms tailored for smallholder farmers, with an ever-growing number utilizing artificial intelligence.
The awards reflect a critical shift in business mindsets throughout the region. Traditionally viewed as risks, issues like climate change are now increasingly seen as opportunities for creating sustainable and profitable enterprises focused on clean energy and waste reduction.
A Bright Future Ahead
A recent PwC study indicates that 39% of CEOs in the Asia-Pacific region reported revenue growth linked to AI, compared to 30% globally. Additionally, Bain & Company has suggested that three key solutions within Southeast Asia's green economy could generate $120 billion in economic value and create up to 900,000 jobs by the year 2030, despite current challenges in meeting climate goals.
Several celebrated organizations have made multiple appearances in the SL25 honors. For instance, Singapore's reach52 has received the award four times, while the bank OCBC has been recognized three times. Notably, DBS Bank, Indian healthcare provider Last Mile Care, and Advanced Info Service from Thailand have each been acknowledged twice.
Among the esteemed winners is Project Dignity, founded by Koh Seng Choon, who was named The Straits Times' Singaporean of the Year for 2024. Project Dignity is well-known for its Dignity Kitchen, Singapore's pioneering hawker training institution that empowers individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities.
Rajeev Peshawaria, CEO of SLI, emphasizes the transformative power of purpose-driven business: "It's crucial to understand that purpose isn't just an added expense; it's a fundamental driver of growth. Over the past five years, the SL25 winners have showcased that addressing real societal and environmental challenges can lead to new markets and lasting trust among consumers, building resilient businesses along the way."