Celebrating the 2026 CEMS Alumni of the Year

The CEMS Alumni Awards are presented annually to outstanding alumni in recognition of excellent contributions to promote one or many of the CEMS values.These awards celebrate the people who show what that looks like in practice.
CEMS Alumni of the year 2026

Across industries, institutions and continents, our alumni are leading with purpose, curiosity and a sense of responsibility. Our three categories: Social Impact, Sustainable Impact and Global Impact, reflect a different way CEMS graduates put their skills, networks and perspectives to work for the world around them. 

This year, we are proud to announce the winners.

Social Impact Award: 

Stephanie Lee (CEMS 2015, WU/ USYD)

Innovation Strategy Lead at the UN World Food Programme, helping bring innovations that reached 132.5 million people across 75 countries in 2025.  

Sustainable Impact Award: 

Sven Kallen (CEMS Alum 1996, RSM/ ESADE)
Founder of Volterra Ecosystems and the Life Terra Foundation, on a mission to plant 500 million trees across Europe.

Global Impact Award: 

Sangram Rane (CEMS Alum 2013, LSE/ ESADE)
From the Executive Offices of two UN Secretaries-General to leading the UN Secretary-General's Innovation Lab, and a 2026 Yale Peace Fellow.

 

 

Want to know more? Discover their career and accomplishments here:

https://cems.org/alumni-network/alumni-of-the-year-awards/current-recipients