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Leon Kaye headshot

3BL Forum: 2019 Responsible CEO of the Year Award Winners Embody Sustainable Leadership

By Leon Kaye
Responsible CEO of the Year Award

Tonight, we’re live from MGM National Harbor, where we have just given out Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s 2019 Responsible CEO of the Year and Lifetime Achievement awards during this year’s 3BL Forum: Brands Taking Stands – What’s Next.

We give these awards to corporate executives who exemplify bold and innovative leadership as they continue to deliver on their companies’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments; this year’s finalists, of course, are no exception.

Tonight’s recipients of the 2019 Responsible CEO of the Year and Lifetime Achievement awards are:

  • Responsible CEO of the Year: ESG Leadership: Jeff Eckel (shown above), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Hannon Armstrong
  • Responsible CEO of the Year: Nonprofit Organization: Sylvia Acevedo, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of the USA
  • Responsible CEO of the Year: Brands Taking Stands Leadership: Brad MacAfee, Chief Executive Officer and Senior Partner, Porter Novelli 
  • Responsible CEO of the Year: Public Company: Hans Vestberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Verizon
  • Lifetime Achievement: David Taylor, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Procter & Gamble

By minimizing each of their company’s environmental footprint, ensuring more sustainable operations and supply chains, embracing diversity and inclusion into the fabric of their companies’ culture or ushering in a new wave of female leaders, the finalists for 2019 have been instrumental in defining future-thinking leadership at a time when it is needed most.

“Congratulations to our awardees—we know they will continue to be forces for good by championing a strong environmental, social and governance agenda,” said Dave Armon, CEO of 3BL Media and publisher of CR Magazine. “We applaud the personal commitment by this year’s CEOs for embedding ESG at the very center of their businesses and for the impact they are having as exceptional leaders.”

Within this ESG community, there is no shortage of awards and recognition programs; being recognized as a Responsible CEO, however, is especially meaningful as our judging panel is made of past recipients of Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s Responsible CEO of the Year Award.

Image credit: Hannon Armstrong Communications

Leon Kaye headshot

Leon Kaye has written for 3p since 2010 and become executive editor in 2018. His previous work includes writing for the Guardian as well as other online and print publications. In addition, he's worked in sales executive roles within technology and financial research companies, as well as for a public relations firm, for which he consulted with one of the globe’s leading sustainability initiatives. Currently living in Central California, he’s traveled to 70-plus countries and has lived and worked in South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay.

Leon’s an alum of Fresno State, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the University of Southern California's Marshall Business School. He enjoys traveling abroad as well as exploring California’s Central Coast and the Sierra Nevadas.

Read more stories by Leon Kaye