CEE Sustainability

Leadership Awards

2026

Overview‍ ‍ | 2026 Winners |  Categories | 2025 Winners | 2024 Winners‍ ‍

Recognising leadership in sustainable finance

The awards were created in 2023 by a small group of professionals active in sustainability integration in finance and business, each with over a decade of work experience in the field.

The aim of the awards is to recognise and celebrate leadership by individuals in different sectors and parts of the system, who have been promoting, advancing, or driving sustainability integration in their own country or across the region and beyond.

All systems and organisations are formed and run by people - and we believe that inspirational and dedicated individuals can have a great impact on a sector, organisation, mindset, or practice.

Award Winners 2026

Jan
CEE Sustainability Leader

Jan Dusik

Deputy Director-General for Climate Action

European Commission

Recognised for his longstanding leadership in international climate and environmental policy and his contribution to advancing climate action at Czech, European and global level.

Andrea Basilova
CEE Leader in Sustainable Business

Andrea Basilova

Co-Founder of Sensoneo

Her work shows her leadership in innovative business solutions for more efficient resource management and the transition towards a circular economy.

Blanka Beranova
CEE Leader in Sustainable Banking

Blanka Beranová

Executive Director for Sustainability

ČSOB Group

Blanka advanced green banking by integrating sustainability into products, portfolios, and transition finance.

Emilia
CEE Leader in Sustainable Investing

Emília Mamajova

Managing Partner and Founding Partner

Everita Capital and ESPIRA Investments

Recognised for her leadership in sustainable and impact-oriented investment and her contribution to advancing women’s participation in the investment industry across Central and Eastern Europe.

Award

Categories

You can nominate an individual that you believe excels in one of the following categories and is making a meaningful contribution to sustainability in the region.

  • The CEE Sustainability Leader Category is recognising achievements in promoting and actively supporting the discussions and practices related to sustainability and decarbonisation. This category is dedicated to celebrating individuals whose leadership spans different sectors and countries, showing cross-disciplinary approach and coalition-building.

  • This category recognises achievements in sustainability integration in investing (the investment process and the portfolio construction). It celebrates achievements in creating positive impact through investing and engagement, while also celebrating people who are driving the public discourse about sustainability in investing.

  • This category recognises professional achievements in supporting and driving sustainability integration in the banking sector. The category rewards individuals implementing the changes needed for sustainability integration in banking across different operations, products, and services.

  • This category recognises achievements in sustainability integration in business, driving changes in business models or changing practices, rethinking products and services, and fighting for improved sustainability performance and disclosure.

  • This category recognises individuals who have successfully made tangible and significant changes to policy or regulation, resulting in changes of market behaviours which have led to positive sustainability impact.

Award Winners 2025

Ota Melcher
CEE Sustainability Leader

Ota Melcher

Sustainability Policy Department Director

Ministry of Finance

A pioneer of sustainable finance in the public sector through national policy leadership, coordination, and initiatives.

Marta Mikliszańska
CEE Leader in Sustainable Business

Marta Mikliszańska

Director Group Public Policy

Marta led Allegro’s ESG strategy, integrating sustainability into operations and promoting greener e-commerce.

Szilvia Golya
CEE Leader in Sustainable Banking

Szilvia Golya

Head of Green Competence Center

OTP Bank

Szilvia advanced green banking by integrating sustainability into products, portfolios, and transition finance.

Kristýna Machová
CEE Leader in Sustainable Investing

Kristýna Machová

Investment Director

Inven Capital

Kristyna set ESG benchmarks through cleantech investment, SFDR reporting, and sustainable finance advocacy.

Award Winners 2024

Martin Hojsík
CEE Sustainability Leader

Martin Hojsík

Vice President

European Parliament

His public leadership role in supporting environmental protection and climate change awareness has been inspirational and transformative for the region.

Magdalena Radová
CEE Sustainability Leader in Investing

Magdalena Radová

Impact and Investment Manager

Revolutionising the investment landscape with an innovative impact measurement methodology in VC funds across CEE.

Eva Bučová
CEE Sustainability Leader in Banking

Eva Bučová

Country Manager

ING Czech Republic

Pioneering sustainability performance assessments in banking, supporting SMEs and initiatives like Změna k lepšímu.

Marián Hlavačka
CEE Leader in Sustainable Business

Marián Hlavačka

CEO

Corwin a.s.

Leading brownfield revitalisation investment, paving the path for sustainability in the property market.

Martin Špolc
CEE Leader in Finance Policy

Martin Špolc

Head of Unit

DG Climate Action, EC

Led the adoption of the EU Sustainable Finance reporting framework through transformative policy efforts in the EU Commission.

Richard Juřík
Czech Sustainable Finance Policy Leader

Richard Juřík

Head of Unit

Ministry of the Environment

A champion of sustainable finance and DNSH guidelines in the Czech public sector, leading change in existing practices.

NOMINATE

Submit your nomination by 30 July 2026 in one of the award categories. Anyone can nominate: colleagues, peers, or organisations.

EVALUATION

All valid nominations will be reviewed and assessed against 15 criteria by a jury of topic experts and practitioners.

FINALISTS

Shortlisted finalists will be announced ahead of the Summit 2026.

AWARD CEREMONY

Winners will be celebrated at the CEE Sustainable Finance Summit 2026 in Prague.

15 September

2026

CEE Sustainability

Leadership Awards