The Think Global Awards has announced the 2026 honorees, recognizing outstanding global achievement across leadership, language, and artificial intelligence.
Every year, the awards highlight individuals and organizations whose work demonstrates measurable impact across industries, markets, and communities worldwide.
The 2026 honorees were selected for their ability to turn global ambition into practical results. Their work highlights the importance of international collaboration, cultural understanding, and responsible innovation that underpins the future of a connected world.
Think Global Leadership Award
Damilola Ogunbiyi
Damilola Ogunbiyi receives the 2026 Think Global Leadership Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership advancing equitable access to sustainable energy worldwide.
As Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Energy for All and Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, Ogunbiyi has led global initiatives that bring together governments, financial institutions, and private partners to address one of the most urgent development challenges of our time. Her work focuses on expanding access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy while supporting long-term economic growth in emerging markets.
Under her leadership, Sustainable Energy for All has expanded its global reach to support more than ninety countries and mobilize over $1.6 trillion in energy finance commitments. Through initiatives such as Mission 300, which aims to deliver electricity to 300 million people across Africa by 2030, she has demonstrated how coordinated international leadership can translate global climate and development goals into real progress.
Her work has strengthened cooperation across global institutions and positioned energy access as a foundation for achieving broader sustainable development goals.
Think Global Language Award
Katherine Melchior Ray
Katherine Melchior Ray receives the 2026 Think Global Language Award in recognition of her leadership in advancing the role of language and cultural intelligence in global business.
Throughout her career, Melchior Ray has helped organizations understand that successful international growth depends not only on translation but on the ability to communicate meaning across cultures. She has led global marketing and brand transformation for companies including Nike, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hyatt, Shiseido, and Babbel, demonstrating how culturally informed communication can unlock new markets and strengthen global brand identity.
In addition to her industry leadership, she continues to advance the field through education and public engagement. As a lecturer at the University of California, Haas School of Business, Katherine prepares future leaders to navigate international markets with cultural awareness and strategic clarity.
In 2025, she co-authored the book Brand Global, Adapt Local, providing a practical framework for organizations seeking to balance global brand consistency with local cultural relevance. The book has become an important reference for leaders managing international expansion.
Her work reinforces the idea that language and culture are not supporting functions, but central drivers of global success.
Think Global AI Impact Award
Intel receives the 2026 Think Global AI Impact Award in recognition of its leadership in advancing practical and responsible artificial intelligence across global industries.
Over the past year, Intel has accelerated its vision of bringing AI capabilities closer to users, devices, and real-world environments. In 2025, the company introduced a new generation of AI-ready processors designed to support advanced workloads directly on personal computers and edge devices. These innovations improve performance, privacy, and accessibility for organizations adopting generative AI technologies.
Intel has also expanded its focus on industrial and edge AI through collaborations with global partners in manufacturing, robotics, and infrastructure. These deployments demonstrate how artificial intelligence can move beyond experimentation into large-scale operational use.
At the same time, the company continues to invest in ecosystem development and education. Programs such as the AI Global Impact Festival and global learning initiatives are helping to build the next generation of AI talent while expanding access to responsible technology worldwide.
Recognizing Global Progress
The Think Global Awards honors individuals and organizations whose work demonstrates real progress across borders, industries, and cultures.
The 2026 honorees showcase the role that leadership, language, and technology play in forging a more connected and sustainable global economy.
More information about the awards and the 2026 honorees is available at