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Climate Corps Alumni Awards

The 2025 William K. Bowes, Jr. Award for Leadership

The William K. Bowes, Jr. Award for Leadership recognizes Climate Corps alumni who are leaders in their field and working to drive positive environmental change. This award is presented to alumni who have demonstrated exceptional leadership through actions such as developing scalable solutions, sharing best practices, collaborating across and within industries, and engaging in environmental advocacy.

This award is dedicated to William K. “Bill” Bowes, Jr., an accomplished business leader and long-time supporter of Climate Corps. A venture capitalist in the Bay Area for nearly 50 years, Bill devoted much of his time to education and medical research.

Climate Corps Alumni Headshot Himanshhu Panwar - 2025 William K. Bowes Jr Award for Leadership winner

Fellow at City of Charlotte, 2024

Now Resilience and Sustainability Specialist, Broward County Government 

LinkedIn | CC Public Summary

Climate Corps Alumni Headshot Mengdi Wang_CC Alumni Award 2025

Fellow at Kingfisher, 2018 

Now GSC Sustainability Management Professional at Lenovo

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The 2025 Environmental Justice Award

The Climate Corps Environmental Justice Award recognizes an alum who has demonstrated exceptional impact through their work on equitable and inclusive environmental solutions and their advocacy for environmental and climate justice.

Climate Corps Alumni Headshot Chinedu Nsude - 2025 Environmental Justice Award winner

Fellow at Voya Financial, 2024 and DICK’S Sporting Goods, 2025

Now a Final Year Doctoral Candidate at the University of Oklahoma

LinkedIn | 2024 CC Public Summary

The 2025 Service Award

The Climate Corps Service Award recognizes an alum who has consistently demonstrated extraordinary spirit and generosity through direct and meaningful support of the global Climate Corps program, helping advance EDF’s mission.

Climate Corps Alumni Headshot Ame Igharo - 2025 Service Award winner

Fellow at Sustainable Jersey, 2015

Now Senior Director of Sustainability Strategy, Ulta Beauty

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Climate Corps Alumni Headshot Ripunjaya Bansal_CC Alumni Award 2025

Fellow at Uber, 2018

Now Senior Consultant at Arthur D. Little

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Past Award Winners


Goksenin Ozturkeri

William K. Bowes, Jr. Award for Leadership Winner

Fellow at Colgate-Palmolive, 2015

Now Chief Investment Officer, Relevate Power and Adjunct Professor, Columbia University and Johns Hopkins University

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Dr. Joseph Nyangon

Fellow at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, 2015

Now Deputy Director for Partnerships, U.S. Department of Energy

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Rachel Herring

Fellow at Tiffany & Co., 2023

Now a Doctoral Student, Stanford University

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Frank Agwuncha

Fellow at Vertical Bridge, 2023

Now Director of Sustainability, Vertical Bridge

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Meghan Kelly

William K. Bowes, Jr. Award for Leadership Winner

Fellow at the City of Fresno, 2018

Now Sustainability Project Manager, County of San Diego

LinkedIn | CC Public Summary

Thomas Benson

Environmental Justice Award Winner

Fellow at American Security Project, 2022

Now Post Doc Research Associate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

LinkedIn | CC Public Summary

Zetian Tim Zhang

Service Award Winner

Fellow at Whirlpool, 2019

Now Senior Climate Manager, Cumming Group

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Shuyi Li headshot

William K. Bowes, Jr. Award for Leadership Winner

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Environmental Justice Award Winner

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Service Award Winner

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William K. Bowes, Jr. Award for Leadership Winner

LinkedIn | CC Public Summary 2015 | CC Public Summary 2016

Environmental Justice Award Winner

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Radhika Lalit

William K. Bowes, Jr. Award for Leadership Winner

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Environmental Justice Award Winner

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William K. Bowes, Jr. Award for Leadership Winner

LinkedIn | CC Public Summary


William K. Bowes, Jr. Award for Leadership Winner

LinkedIn | CC Public Summary

William K. Bowes, Jr. Award for Leadership Winner

LinkedIn | CC Public Summary


William K. Bowes, Jr. Award for Leadership Winner

LinkedIn | CC Public Summary


William K. Bowes, Jr. Award for Leadership Winner

LinkedIn | CC Public Summary

William K. Bowes, Jr. Award for Leadership Winner

LinkedIn | CC Public Summary

William K. Bowes, Jr. Award for Leadership Winner

LinkedIn | CC Public Summary 2011 | CC Public Summary 2012