AIX Top
Innovation
Leaders
The Top Innovation Leaders Award (formerly Top 100 Innovation Leaders Award) is a prestigious global recognition that honors the brightest minds shaping the future of innovation.
This award highlights individuals who are leading transformative change, driving ground breaking solutions, and advancing the frontiers of technology, business, and society.
By recognizing exceptional leaders who have demonstrated extraordinary vision, creativity, and impact, the AIX Top Innovation Leaders Award celebrates those who are not only reimagining the future but are actively creating it.
TOP INNOVATION LEADERS AWARD
Each year, the AIX Top Innovation Leaders Award shines a spotlight on individuals who are influencing the trajectory of their industries, leading companies to success, and creating environments that foster creativity and innovation. These leaders are recognized for their courage to take risks, their ability to empower teams, and their commitment to creating value in a rapidly evolving world. Winning this award provides global recognition and helps further amplify the efforts of those making the most significant contributions to the innovation landscape.
The Top Innovation Leaders are individuals who have made remarkable strides in their fields, from advancing AI, fintech, and healthcare innovation to pioneering solutions in sustainability, education, and beyond. These leaders are at the helm of the organizations and initiatives that are defining the future of industries worldwide. Their work is a testament to the power of innovation to create meaningful change, solve complex problems, and improve lives on a global scale.
Evaluation Process
At the core of the AIX Top Innovation Leaders Award is an unwavering commitment to integrity. The selection process is known for its thoroughness, impartiality, and rigor, ensuring that only the most deserving individuals are recognized for their contributions to innovation. Each nominee undergoes a multi-stage evaluation process, led by an esteemed panel of global industry experts, thought leaders, and academics. The evaluation process is designed to assess not only the quality and impact of the individual’s innovations but also the broader implications of their work—how it transforms industries, influences societies, and contributes to the greater good.
What sets the Top Innovation Leaders Award apart is its emphasis on a comprehensive and holistic evaluation of each nominee’s leadership qualities. Beyond the technical aspects of innovation, the award places a strong focus on the ethical, social, and environmental aspects of their work. The award recognizes leaders who are pushing boundaries responsibly, ensuring that their innovations contribute to sustainable growth, promote inclusivity, and address critical global challenges such as climate change, public health, and education. Integrity, transparency, and accountability are key criteria in the selection process, ensuring that recipients are not only trailblazers but also responsible custodians of the power their innovations wield.
Previous Winners
These categories span a wide range of sectors, from technology and sustainability to healthcare and business, ensuring that all types of innovation are recognized, including those that are socially impactful, environmentally responsible, and technologically advanced.
General Innovation Leadership
Innovator of the Year
Visionary Leader of the Decade
Most Impactful Global Innovator
Pioneer in Innovation Strategy
Excellence in Business Innovation
Leadership in Digital Transformation
Top Thought Leader in Innovation
Best Leadership in Disruptive Technologies
Leadership in Industry 4.0
Innovation Excellence in Social Good
Technology & Digital Innovation
AI & Machine Learning Leader of the Year
Top Innovator in Blockchain Technology
Cloud Computing Innovation Leader
Excellence in Cybersecurity Innovation
Leading Innovator in Quantum Computing
Data Science & Analytics Leadership
Most Influential Leader in Big Data
Best Innovator in Edge Computing
Top Leader in Internet of Things (IoT)
Excellence in Robotics & Automation Leadership
Sustainability & Environmental Innovation
Sustainability Leader of the Year
Top Innovator in Renewable Energy
Leader in Green Technology
Innovative Leadership in Circular Economy
Pioneering Leader in Climate Change Solutions
Excellence in Water Conservation Innovation
Carbon Neutrality Innovation Leader
Top Leader in Environmental Policy Innovation
Innovation in Sustainable Agriculture
Excellence in Green Business Leadership
Healthcare & Life Sciences Innovation
Top Innovator in HealthTech
Most Impactful Leader in Biotechnology
Leader in Personalized Medicine
Excellence in Digital Health Solutions
Pioneer in AI-Driven Healthcare Innovation
Leader in Global Health Innovation
Excellence in Medical Device Innovation
Most Influential Leader in Mental Health Solutions
Leader in Genomic Medicine
Innovation in Telemedicine Leadership
Business & Market Innovation
Top Innovator in FinTech
Excellence in E-Commerce Innovation
Most Influential Leader in Retail Technology
Best Innovator in Customer Experience
Leadership in Business Model Innovation
Top Innovator in Supply Chain Technology
Excellence in Marketing & Advertising Innovation
Top Leader in Corporate Social Responsibility
Best Innovator in Financial Services
Excellence in Workplace Innovation
Additional Categories for Niche Sectors
Top Leader in Smart City Development
Best Innovator in Transportation & Mobility
Leadership in Smart Manufacturing Innovation
Excellence in Education Technology (EdTech)
Innovation Leadership in Creative Industries (Art, Design, Media)
Award Categories
Now in its 7th year, the award celebrates a diverse range of leaders across various industries—including technology, healthcare, finance, sustainability, and education—who are setting the stage for the future. Whether they are revolutionizing industries with cutting-edge technologies, fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems, or championing social innovation, the Top Innovation Leaders are recognized for their ability to inspire change, drive new opportunities, and build legacies that impact people worldwide.
Here are the top 50 winners of last year Top Innovation Leaders award:
1. Laxman Narasimhan - CEO of Starbucks
2. Sanjiv Lamba - CEO of Linde
3. Lidiane Jones - CEO of Slack
4. Oliver Bäte - CEO of Allianz
5. Vinicius Roveda - CEO of Conta Azul
6. Jessica Tan - CEO of Ping An
7. Jameel Al Ramahi - CEO of Masdar
8. Madeleine Paquin - CEO of Logistec
9. Ralph Mupita - CEO of MTN
10. Nicke Widyawati - CEO of Pertamina
11. Mike Cannon-Brookes, Scott Farquhar - CEOs of Atlassian
12. Jeff Williams - CEO of JMJ
13. Tekedra Mawakana - Co-CEO of Waymo
14. Dmitri Dolgov - Co-CEO of Waymo
15. Charles Sansbury - CEO of Cloudera
16. Rajeev Singh - CEO of Accolade
17. François Poirier - CEO of TC Energy
18. Kathy Warden - CEO of Northrop Grumman
19. Orion Hindawi - Exec. Chairperson of Tanium
20. Cliff Skelton - CEO of Conduent
21. Julie Sweet - CEO of Accenture
22. Peter De Caluwe - CEO of Thunes
23. Henrik Gilstring - CEO of Väderstad
24. Dr. Helen Torley - CEO of Halozyme
25. Christian Rynning-Tønnesen - CEO of Statkraft
26. Sergio P. Ermotti - CEO of UBS
27. Patty Arvielo - CEO of New American Funding
28. Michael Hennigan - CEO of Marathon
29. Adrian Mardell - CEO of Jaguar Land Rover
30. Dr. Raja Al Gurg - CEO of Al Gurg Group
31. Jensen Huang - CEO of NVIDIA
32. Mark Read - CEO of WPP
33. Lisa Utzschneider - CEO of Integral Ad Science
34. Danilo Costa - CEO of Educbank
35. Thasunda B. Duckett - CEO of TIAA Group
36. Ayman Sayed - CEO of BMC Software
37. Tom Szaky - CEO of TerraCycle
38. Jean-Laurent Bonnafé - CEO of BNP Paribas
39. Inna Kuznetsova - CEO of ToolsGroup
40. Dr. Tom Leighton - CEO of Akamai Technologies
41. Helena Hedblom - CEO of Epiroc
42. Rajeeb (Raj) Hazra - CEO of Quantinuum
43. Ron Carson - CEO of Carson Group
44. Catherine MacGregor - CEO of ENGIE Group
45. Dr. Sharvil Patel - CEO of Zydus Lifesciences
46. Hana Al Rostamani - CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
47. Bjørnulf Østvik - CEO of Ecogensus
48. Brad Goodall - CEO of Banked
49. S. Abrar Al Sabah - CEO of Abbey’s Productions
50. Hector Bremner - CEO of Avricore Health