FUTURE LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD: For rising stars demonstrating exceptional leadership, innovation, and ambition—across industries and sectors.
Criteria:
Aged 40 and under, with 3+ years of professional experience in China
Vision: Conveys a clear vision of long-term professional goals
Leadership: Demonstrates proven leadership ability through influential positions in profession and community
Experience: Has over three years of professional experience in China and demonstrates a clear trajectory and growth in career
Innovation: Reinvented, improved, or implemented new innovation opportunities into existing business models
Sustainability: Implemented sustainable development on the corporate level or demonstrates a commitment to giving back to the community
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARD: For founders and business owners building the next generation of impactful companies in Shanghai and beyond.
Criteria:
Aged 40 and under, with a proven track record of entrepreneurial leadership and impact.
Ownership: Is an owner, partner, or shareholder of at least 25 percent of a business based in Shanghai and demonstrates positive social and/or economic impact in the region
Innovation: Demonstrates commitment and passion for transforming traditional practices through an innovative product, service, approach, or idea
Perseverance: Demonstrates capacity to be an independent thinker, to overcome business obstacles, and to take risks in the face of uncertainty
Scalability: Innovates business model for sustainable growth, and has demonstrated capability for long-term success
Sustainability: Implemented sustainable development on the corporate level or demonstrates a commitment to giving back to the community
SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD: For individuals advancing community initiatives through bold, measurable action.
Criteria:
Aged 40 and under; open to professionals in nonprofits, CSR teams, or social enterprises
Commitment: Demonstrates enduring commitment to giving back to the community and strong determination
Impact: Shows capacity to run scalable impact-driven initiatives that address UN sustainable development goals (SDGs); and illustrate the chosen SDG(s), the corresponding measurable impact, and the social influence in the ecosystem that the initiative has achieved
Sustainability: Create a model of sustainable development to support the community over a long-term course
EMERGING LEADER AWARD: For early-career professionals, students, or recent graduates showing outsized potential and momentum.
Criteria:
Aged 25 and under, including university students, recent grads, or standout high school seniors
Leadership: Demonstrates proven leadership potential through influential positions in profession/education and community, recognized as a rising talent in their field or peer group.
Engagement: Demonstrates active commitment to empowering others through community building, or collaborative initiatives
Experience: Demonstrates a clear trajectory and growth in career/education