Bali has long been known as a place where transformation happens quietly, where the ocean meets the hills and something inside you shifts without warning. On 24 and 25 February 2026, the island became the backdrop for a different kind of transformation. One that was loud, deliberate, and long overdue.
- A Summit Built on One Belief: Impact Is the Only Currency That Matters
- The Winners: Sector by Sector, Story by Story
- Business, Strategy and Financial Leadership
- Artificial Intelligence, Technology and Digital Transformation
- Health, Wellness and Human Science
- Media, Marketing and Creative Industries
- Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Executive Development
- Education, Social Impact and Community
- Justice, Rights and Governance
- Sustainability, Environment and Infrastructure
- Design and Creative Architecture
- Cross-Border Business
- What This Summit Tells Us About Where the World Is Heading
- About the Global Impact Summit and Awards
The Global Impact Summit and Awards 2026, curated and published by Entrepreneur’s Diaries, brought together some of the most consequential minds working across business, technology, health, education, sustainability, media, and public service. Held at the iconic Harper Kuta Bali by Aston, the summit was not simply a ceremony. It was a declaration that leadership, when rooted in purpose and backed by impact, deserves to be seen.
Thirty-eight individuals and one brand walked away with the Global Leadership Excellence Award. Each one earned it through years, and in several cases, decades, of work that moved the needle in their field. Together, they represent a map of where global progress is actually happening.
A Summit Built on One Belief: Impact Is the Only Currency That Matters
The Global Impact Summit and Awards was designed around a single editorial conviction that the world has enough conferences that celebrate noise. What it needs is a platform that recognises signal. Leaders who did not merely occupy titles but built something, changed something, or protected something that mattered.
The evaluation framework, supported by a panel of independent jury members including finance leader Emil Mirzaliyev from Aberdeen, environmental expert Mikhail Karmanov from Russia, master hairstylist and creative educator Andrii Gerashchenko from Los Angeles, and financial advisor Angelina Shyltsyna from New York, was built on measurable impact, governance integrity, and sustained contribution over time.
What emerged from that process was a winner’s list that reads less like a guest list and more like a syllabus for the future.
The Winners: Sector by Sector, Story by Story
Business, Strategy and Financial Leadership
In a world where business complexity grows faster than most leaders can adapt, four honourees stood out for their clarity of vision and depth of execution.
Dr. Syed A. Kazmi, DMgt, Co-Founder and CEO of 14K Business Solutions in the United States, received the award in Digital Marketing and Business Growth. His work in building data-driven frameworks that help organisations transform digitally is respected across markets. His recognition at GIA 2026 reflects the growing understanding that marketing, when done with intelligence and integrity, is a growth engine, not a cost centre.
Sanjoy Ghosh, Founder and Principal Advisor of 3 Sigma Corporate Advisory in India, was honoured for Corporate Advisory and Strategic Financial Leadership. His work with SMEs and growth-stage enterprises navigating financial stress, capital restructuring, and long-term value creation has earned him a reputation as one of India’s most trusted independent advisors.
Dr. Mansi S. Rai, Tax Auditor at the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, was recognised for her contributions to Public Finance, Taxation and Policy Innovation. Her research on digital economy taxation and her ability to translate complex governance frameworks into accessible knowledge makes her a rare bridge between policy and practice.
Daniel Pakalov, whose One DNA operational framework improved First-Time Resolution performance from 71 percent to 93.7 percent across more than 700 personnel, took home the award in Business Innovation and Organisational Transformation. His work is a reminder that great leadership frameworks do not live in boardrooms. They live on the ground.
Artificial Intelligence, Technology and Digital Transformation
No category at GIA 2026 reflected the urgency of the current moment more than this one.
Dr. Sabira Arefin, Founder of the Global Health Alliance and CEO of IdMap.ai in the United States, was recognised for Ethical AI, Health Intelligence and Responsible Technology. In a landscape crowded with AI hype, her work on responsible data governance, health literacy, and privacy-conscious digital trust systems is exactly the kind of leadership the sector needs.
Akash M Dubey, Vice President and AI Data Product Lead at JPMorgan Chase, received the award in Enterprise AI and Data Platform Leadership. His role in strengthening financial system integrity through explainable AI and responsible data governance within one of the world’s most regulated banking environments speaks for itself.
Vanitha Mani, Senior Technical Manager at Salesforce and Founder of iLinkPoint.AI, was honoured for AI Automation and Responsible Technology. She brings together enterprise execution and conscious entrepreneurship in a way that few in her field manage to do, championing both operational efficiency and women’s leadership in the same breath.
Dr. Barbara Great Eigbiremolen, CEO of Networths Professional Services in Abuja, Nigeria, took the award in AI-Driven Content and Digital Transformation. Her work in building human-AI hybrid content systems that empower African SMEs is a model the global south deserves more of.
Stepan Arakelian, Chief Technology Officer at iGaming in Armenia, was recognised for Technology Infrastructure and Digital Platforms. His ability to architect high-performance systems handling thousands of real-time requests per second across gaming, fintech, and IoT industries places him among the most technically formidable leaders in this cohort.
Health, Wellness and Human Science
Healthcare and behavioural science were represented with exceptional depth at GIA 2026.
Dr. Rasimah Jar, Founder and CEO of ACE Prowise Consultancy in Singapore, received the award in Behavioural Science and Relationship Psychology. With over three decades in therapy, coaching, and behavioural consulting, she has built a body of work that translates the complexity of human dynamics into frameworks that actually help people lead better lives.
Felistus Banda, Mental Health Nurse Specialist and Global Advocate based in the United Kingdom, was honoured for Mental Health Advocacy and Stigma Reduction. Her clinical practice, research, and community education work across underserved populations reflects a commitment to equity that the global mental health sector desperately needs.
Marlou “MC” Colina, CEO of MHCO Group of Companies spanning the United States and the Philippines, received recognition in Medical Aesthetics, Education and Community Impact. His work in bridging cosmetology with clinical science while simultaneously leading humanitarian initiatives in underserved communities makes him one of the most multidimensional leaders in this year’s cohort.
Dr. Nisha Sundaragopal, DMD, MS, General Dentist, Geriatric Specialist and Fashion Designer from Katy, Texas, was recognised for Healthcare Innovation and Cross-Industry Leadership. Her convergence of dental science, AI-integrated clinical care, and fashion as a platform for cross-cultural storytelling is genuinely unprecedented.
Simona Smaidziunaite, Founder and Social Educator of Simona I AM in Australia, was honoured for Women’s Health Education and Bodily Autonomy. Her educational framework supporting women navigating Breast Implant Illness recovery has brought clarity and dignity to thousands of women who had been failed by fragmented health systems.
Stemox was awarded the Brand of the Year Award for its science-backed, plant-based wellness approach built on transparency, operational integrity, and sustainable long-term growth. In a wellness industry full of overpromising, Stemox earned its recognition by doing the opposite.
Media, Marketing and Creative Industries
Julius Nzomo Mbaluto, International Journalist, Radio Host at Colourful Radio London, and Editor of Informer East Africa Newspaper, received the award in Journalism and Media Leadership. His decades of work across broadcast, print, and digital media, his courageous investigative reporting, and his mentorship of future journalists across Africa and the United Kingdom represent the kind of media leadership the world needs more of.
Mic Diaz, CEO, President and Founder of Mic Diaz Presents in Los Angeles, was honoured for Marketing, Media and Community Leadership. Her ability to weave together entertainment, public relations, and multichannel storytelling into platforms that genuinely strengthen communities sets her apart in an industry that often confuses reach with impact.
May Goldi, Director of Maeya TV in California, received recognition in Entertainment Media and Event Production. Her journey from classical Cantonese opera to international production coordination to founding premium entertainment platforms is one of the most compelling professional arcs in this year’s cohort.
Steph Adams, International Bestselling Author and Creative Director based in Sydney, Australia, was recognised for Literature, Publishing and Women’s Empowerment. With over 30 internationally distributed titles and in-depth interviews with more than 400 global changemakers, her contribution to amplifying underrepresented voices in business and culture is extraordinary.
Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Executive Development
Preity Upala, CEO of The Omnia Group in Los Angeles, received the award in Geopolitics, Strategy and Cross-Cultural Diplomacy. Her advisory work with governments, CEOs, and think tanks, combined with her influence as an award-winning international columnist, positions her as one of the most respected strategic voices operating across borders today.
Priyanka Chaurasia, CEO and Founder of PCTheLabel and Oracle Senior Advisor based in Frisco, Texas, was recognised for Women Leadership and Executive Development. Her dual identity as an enterprise technology leader and a fashion entrepreneur elevating culturally inspired design gives her a platform that few can match.
Celeste T. Friedman, Founder and CEO of Bontika International in the United States, was honoured for Creative Entrepreneurship and Storytelling. Her values-led platforms that integrate creativity, reinvention, and transformational leadership continue to empower individuals and communities in measurable ways.
Tania Potter, Founder and CEO of Virtual Ops in the United States, received recognition in Operational Systems and Business Architecture. Her work in helping founders transition from fragmented operations to scalable, accountable systems is the kind of quiet, essential work that underpins every great organisation.
Stanley Slaczka, President and CEO from North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, was honoured for Transformational Leadership and Personal Development. His journey from elite US Army Armor service to internationally recognised authorship and structured leadership frameworks reflects a rare combination of discipline, intellect, and civic vision.
Dr. Theresa Pringle, Founder and CEO of Pringle’s Training in Newark, New Jersey, received the Global Leadership Excellence Award for Lifetime Achievement in Workforce Development and Community Impact. Her decades of work equipping individuals and communities with tools to navigate systemic barriers and build sustainable pathways toward opportunity is a legacy that cannot be overstated.
Education, Social Impact and Community
J. Jethro Limson, CEO of HireFox LLC in the United States, was recognised for Ethical Recruitment and Education Impact. His work in addressing teacher shortages in rural and underserved communities through transparent, compliant global recruitment pathways is a masterclass in what principled leadership looks like in practice.
Susan Xiong, Founder and CEO of A Hopeful Encounter, Inc. in the United States, received the award in Youth Empowerment and Community Development. Her participatory, community-led initiatives that centre belonging, cultural continuity, and intergenerational collaboration are a blueprint for how community organisations should be built.
Dylan Smith, Owner of D Is For Dyslexia in Boca Raton, Florida, was honoured for Neurodiversity Advocacy and Inclusive Education. His personal journey from misdiagnosis and academic adversity to bestselling authorship and the launch of Mission to Million Lives is one of the most powerful stories of resilience in this entire cohort.
Joyce Edwards, Owner of Enjoy’s Cleaning Services in Maryland, was recognised for Education, Entrepreneurship and Humanitarian Service. Her combination of doctoral achievement, award-winning enterprise building, and relentless advocacy for underserved communities makes her recognition richly deserved.
Petrova Ekaterina Andreevna, Foreign Language Teacher and Educational Project Creator from the Chelyabinsk Region of Russia, was honoured for Language Education and Cultural Pedagogy. Her innovative online learning environments and custom-designed teaching methodologies have expanded English language access across regional communities.
Tiffiney Neal-Sims, Director of Faces of Rap Mothers in Georgia, received the award in Cultural Empowerment and Social Advocacy. With over two decades of sustained community work supporting children, the elderly, military families, and domestic violence survivors, she represents the intersection of culture and compassion at its most powerful.
Justice, Rights and Governance
Taz Dunstan, Founder and CEO of Ponsonby Chambers in Australia and New Zealand, was recognised for Human Rights and Justice System Reform. Her work in establishing a first-of-its-kind advocacy platform for victims of court abuse and her relentless pursuit of systemic transparency across jurisdictions reflects fearless, consequential leadership.
Sustainability, Environment and Infrastructure
Chan Teck Ling (Eddie), Resident Naturalist and Environmental Services Manager at Resorts World Awana in Malaysia, received the award in Environmental Sustainability and Bio-Tourism. His role in establishing Genting Highlands as a model for bio-tourism and environmental stewardship is an example of how conservation and commerce can coexist intelligently.
Mikhail Vasilievich Zubkov, Project Consultant at South Stream Transport in Istanbul, was honoured for ESG Excellence and Energy Sustainability. His operational optimisation of gas processing systems covering a combined capacity of 16.6 billion cubic metres annually, while delivering measurable environmental improvements, is a benchmark in responsible energy management.
Georgii Besikovich Shashiashvili, General Director of NSO Industrial LLC in Moscow, received the Lifetime Leadership Impact award. His leadership of a logistics infrastructure project spanning nearly 59 hectares and 197,000 square metres, completed within an exceptional documentation timeline, reflects decades of engineering precision and strategic excellence.
Design and Creative Architecture
Madhusudan Halder, Founder and Principal Designer of Ideal Eyes Interior in Kolkata, India, was recognised for Interior Design and Creative Architecture. His commitment to design integrity, quality craftsmanship, and the balance between creativity and practicality has built one of India’s most trusted interior design brands.
Cross-Border Business
Oleg Troshkov, Founder and Creative Director of Millo Kids in Bali, Indonesia, was honoured for Cross-Border Retail and Business Expansion. His learning-through-play educational retail concept, now expanded across Bali, Jakarta, and a nationwide e-commerce platform, is a compelling example of what purposeful cross-border commerce looks like.
What This Summit Tells Us About Where the World Is Heading
Look at this list long enough and a pattern emerges. The leaders being recognised in 2026 are not simply the most successful. They are the most responsible. They have built things with integrity. They have operated in spaces, whether AI governance, mental health, environmental stewardship, or justice reform, where the easy path and the right path diverge, and they chose the right one.
They come from 20 countries. They lead organisations of wildly different sizes. Some run global enterprises. Others have built something quiet and local that quietly changes thousands of lives. What they share is the refusal to separate excellence from ethics.
That is the editorial position of Entrepreneur’s Diaries. And the Global Impact Awards 2026 is its strongest expression yet.
About the Global Impact Summit and Awards
The Global Impact Summit and Awards is an annual platform curated and published by Entrepreneur’s Diaries, dedicated to recognising leaders, innovators, and organisations creating measurable impact across business, technology, sustainability, and global leadership. The 2026 edition was held at Harper Kuta Bali by Aston on 24 and 25 February 2026.
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Ratnakar Upadhayay, known professionally as Ratnakar Mavilach, is an Indian businessman who is best known for coming up with the idea for Hinglishgram, the first content delivery platform in the world. His innovative endeavors range from launching Debonair Magazine back into the public sphere.
Aanya is an AI strategist from Bangalore who simplifies automation and SaaS for founders building tech-first startups globally.
