SUSTAINABLE LEADERSHIP AWARDS
The Sustainable Leadership Award comprises two distinct categories: Executive Leadership and Sustainability Champion.
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These awards aim to honor individuals or teams within businesses who demonstrate excellence in delivering both immediate and long-term solutions, yielding documented social, environmental, and economic benefits. Sustainability leaders who embody both the mindset and the value system are the heart of these awards. They celebrate leaders
who foster engagement, mentorship, and implementation of practices that result in environmental, social, and economic outcomes. These individuals generously share their passion, insights, and commitment to their work, earning recognition as influencers in their spheres of influence.
The Sustainable Leadership Awards pay tribute to individuals who champion business practices that serve all stakeholders, from shareholders to employees, customers, and community members. They exhibit an exceptional dedication to sustainable business approaches, serving as examples for others to emulate.​
The Executive Leadership Award will be given to an individual who:
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Embodies visionary leadership, fostering a comprehensive approach to steering organizational culture toward sustainability.
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Empowers sustainable decision-making and fosters innovation across the organization, demonstrating tangible social and/or environmental benefits for customers and communities.
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Articulates a clear message on sustainability and champions their teams, acknowledging and celebrating achievements.
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Recognizes the significance of educating stakeholders on sustainability and takes proactive steps to do so.
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Demonstrates consistent commitment and philanthropy, giving back to the community in impactful ways.
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Advocates for organizational alignment with local and/or global sustainability initiatives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, Green Masters' Program, B Corporation, We're Still In, etc.
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Establishes a personal connection with sustainability.
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The Sustainability Champion award will go to an individual who:
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Develops systems that embed sustainability, such as creating metrics, policies, or processes.
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Works to garner support and align sustainability with corporate culture.
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Engages stakeholders on sustainability through various channels, while acknowledging and celebrating achievements.
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Cultivates leadership and innovation opportunities within other departments or individuals.
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Personalizes sustainability efforts and may contribute meaningfully to their community.
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Consistently goes above and beyond, irrespective of whether sustainability is their designated role.
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A sustainability leader can emerge from any role, embracing the potential for change and integrating sustainability principles into day-to-day business practices. The Sustainability Champion Award celebrates the vision and dedication of individuals who often operate behind the scenes.
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Applications should include a detailed account, and where feasible, quantification of both direct and indirect impacts attributable to the individual.
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Award Eligibility
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The business has a presence in the Upper Midwest.
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The business leader or team is a current SBC member (or the company they work for).
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The individual has not won an award from us within the last three years in this product
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Self-nominations are normal and encouraged.
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When nominating, please fill out the questions to the best of your ability. The more detailed applications tend to be scored better by the committee.
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Applications should include identification and, if possible, quantification of direct and indirect impacts of the individual.
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There is the ability to upload supplemental data and links at the end.
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*We are now accepting video nominations.
Please note that this is an optional feature and does not serve as a complete replacement for the nomination form. Videos should be kept to a maximum length of 2 minutes and should address the same questions as outlined in the nomination form. Additionally, we kindly request that any supplementary documentation regarding the nominee that may be beneficial be included.
A sustainability leader can be anyone that embraces the possibilities of change and integrates principles of sustainability into day-to-day business operations. The Sustainability Champion Award recognizes the vision and commitment of individuals that often go unrecognized.
Applications should include identification, and, if possible, quantification of direct and indirect impacts of the individual
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PAST WINNERS
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2025 SUSTAINABILITY EXECUTIVE
Glen Heitkamp: Pioneering Sustainable Impact
in Commercial Real Estate
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Glen Heitkamp, Vice President of Engineering and Building Optimization at PACE Equity, has led over 175 commercial projects nationwide, delivering measurable environmental and financial returns. He was instrumental in launching the CIRRUS C-PACE program, which incentivizes low-carbon building design with reduced financing rates. Under his leadership, CIRRUS projects have eliminated 116,000+ metric tons of carbon emissions, saved 230 million kWh of electricity and 900,000 therms of natural gas, and generated $60 million in lifetime energy savings across 1.75 million square feet of development.
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With 30+ years of engineering experience, Glen is known for fostering innovation, mentoring teams, and setting new industry benchmarks. He is a recognized thought leader, presenting at national conferences and serving on advisory boards, with a deep commitment to advancing sustainability in the built environment.
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Glen’s work is transforming how buildings are designed, financed, and optimized for long-term sustainability, leaving a legacy of environmental stewardship which we are proud to celebrate!
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2025 SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION
Emily James​​
Emily James exemplifies what it means to be a Sustainability Champion—not only through her technical expertise and systems thinking, but through her unwavering commitment to embedding sustainability into the culture, operations, and future of Generac and the broader Wisconsin business community.
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Emily has led the development of robust KPIs that track waste diversion, water use, and energy intensity, while also championing employee engagement metrics and cost-saving outcomes. Her leadership has resulted in the implementation of impactful policies such as ISO 14001 certification, energy management protocols, and site-specific GHG data systems aligned with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
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Beyond metrics, Emily is a cultural catalyst. She founded cross-functional Green Teams, launched the “Drive to Zero” innovation program, and celebrates environmental wins through internal “Success Stories” and public LinkedIn engagement. Her work with the Federation of Environmental Technologists (FET) and the SBC GHG Working Group extends her influence across the region.
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Emily’s leadership is deeply personal. Born on Earth Day, she’s been an environmental steward since childhood. Her volunteerism with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Milwaukee Riverkeeper, along with her leadership in Generac’s Emerging Leaders group, reflects a holistic commitment to community, mentorship, and social impact.
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She doesn’t just lead programs, she inspires people. Emily’s belief that “sustainability is not just a department, but a mindset” has helped transform Generac’s culture and empowered others to lead from wherever they stand.
2024 SUSTAINABLE EXECUTIVE
Sanda Henry
President & CEO, Slipstream WI
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As the President and CEO of Slipstream, Sandra Henry embodies the essence of visionary leadership, transforming challenges into opportunities that drive financial strength, social equity, and environmental stewardship.​Sandra’s leadership style is defined by her people-first approach, recognizing that true transformation begins with empowering individuals. She has cultivated a workplace where authenticity, trust, and growth are at the forefront, ensuring that every team member contributes meaningfully to Slipstream’s mission.
A passionate advocate for sustainability, Sandra envisions a future where communities thrive through equitable clean energy solutions. Her ability to connect people and ideas has positioned Slipstream as a leader in workforce development and sustainability education, engaging the next generation through initiatives like Clean Energy Career Fairs and classroom-integrated energy modeling tools. ​
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Sandra Henry is not just a leader; she is an architect of change, building a future where sustainability, equity, and community well-being are inextricably linked.
2023 SUSTAINABLITY EXECUTIVE
Scott Anderson, Co-Owner & Director of Stakeholder Stewardship, Artisan Dental
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Scott is an outstanding leader and sustainability is built into his DNA. He shows a lifestyle and commitment to sustainability day in and day out. He empowers his Leadership team to move the initiatives forward, while also making sure that all team members are aware of the goals and the rationale behind the decisions.
Some of the accomplishments under Scott's leadership:
A standing commitment to donate greater than 1% of annual sales to non-profits with direct financial contributions or volunteer hours. Their philanthropic donations are strategically allocated to support achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development goals (SDGs). Artisan Dental became the United States’ first carbon-neutral general dentistry practice - Now carbon-negative. Artisan Dental created the first and only oral care products recycling program in the Dane County area. Artisan Dental is the first general dental practice in Wisconsin, second in the nation, to become a Certified B Corporation. Scott has spoken at numerous events and podcasts and been featured in many articles. Scott works tirelessly and from the heart as this is his passion and it has impacted all of our stakeholders in a positive way!
2024 SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION
Michelle Miller, Sustainability Manager NA Symrise
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The Sustainable Business Council has honored Michelle Miller, Sustainability Manager for North America Food & Beverage at Symrise, with the 2024 Sustainability Champion Award. Michelle has made a significant impact by embedding sustainability into Symrise’s operations, creating KPIs, policies, and processes that enhance performance across nine North American facilities. Her efforts have successfully aligned sustainability with corporate culture, engaging stakeholders at all levels.
Michelle’s innovative contributions include sustainability dashboards, annual site reports, and strategic roadmaps aimed at achieving Net Zero by 2030. Beyond her corporate role, she actively supports sustainability networks, community initiatives, and mentorship programs, inspiring others to lead with purpose. Her leadership and commitment exemplify what it means to be a true sustainability champion.
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2023 SUSTAINABLITY CHAMPION
Kevin Tubbs, VP & Chief Ethics, Compliance and Sustainability Officer
Oshkosh Corporation, Oshkosh WI
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Kevin Tubbs led the company’s sustainability efforts since 2012. Under his leadership, Oshkosh has become a recognized sustainability leader, setting and exceeding ambitious goals for energy and waste reduction. The company achieved its USEPA Better Plants energy target two years early and has significantly reduced energy and GHG intensity since 2014. Kevin also championed a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement that offsets about 50% of Oshkosh’s domestic Scope 2 emissions and helped secure a commitment to Science Based Targets for future emissions reductions.
Beyond internal initiatives, Kevin actively engages with external stakeholders to promote sustainability. He co-founded the Northeast Wisconsin Sustainability group and frequently shares insights at WSBC conferences. His leadership has contributed to Oshkosh being named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for eight consecutive years. In 2021, he was honored as one of the Purposeful 50 ESG influencers, reflecting his broad impact on ethical and sustainable business practices.
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2022 SUSTAINABILITY EXECUTIVE
Chris Drees
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Kurt Reinhold
Legacy Solar Co-op, Madison
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Kurt Reinhold, the founder of the Legacy Solar Co-op, challenges conventional business practices and demonstrates cutting-edge environmental leadership through his innovative tax financing mechanism that has facilitated almost 40 solar projects for the Wisconsin community. Reinhold has also created a ‘solar bond’/ revolving loan program, specifically unique to Wisconsin, and has lent out more than $1M in the first 5 years from the start of the co-ops. Reinhold’s enthusiasm for clean, renewable energy is infectious, and he passionately shares his work, vision, and knowledge with others to integrate sustainability into our day-to-day lives.
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​Learn more about Legacy Solar Co-op and Kurt in this interview
2022 SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION
Scott Louks, Sustainability Manager
(Retired in 2024)
Mercury Marine, Fond du Lac
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As Mercury Marine's sustainability manager for the last 7 + years, Scott coordinates global sustainability efforts to advance strategy, operations, and culture. In this role, Scott has developed and implemented their roadmap, defining sustainability growth areas. He leads the company’s sustainability committee and reviews and recommends actions on improvement related to their four pillars of energy, environment, product, and people. He takes a wide lens of stewardship and has excelled as an inspirational leader and consensus builder. He has successfully driven
projects to meet goals, uses data and sound rationale to win over senior management, and defines the investment benefits. Scott goes above and beyond both in his personal and professional lives.
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Jyoti Stephens,
Nature’s Path, Sussex
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For more than 20 years, Jyoti Stephens has been a key leader in sustainability at Nature’s Path. As VP Mission & Strategy, Stephens developed the Nature’s Path sustainability strategies: organic, carbon-neutral, zero-waste, preserve water, giveback, and educate, inspire, and engage. Stephens has led the team that achieved the corporate designation of the first zero-waste certified company with multinational sites, diverting over 90% of corporate waste from landfills. It is clear that Stephens shows outstanding commitment to sustainable business practices and acts as a model for others to learn from.
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​Learn more about Jyoti and how she leads in this interview