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Our Climate Action Heroes

The annual Climate Action Hero Awards celebrate the region's most effective climate action leaders.

Lifetime Achievement

Celebrating Visionary Leadership and Lasting Change

2026 Honorees

Katie Kaluzny
Champion

Grace Brady
Youth Champion

Northern Illinois Transit Authority
Government & Legislation

The Eco-Friendly Mobile Farm Stand Project
Climate Technology

Crystal Gardner
Hazel M. Johnson Environmental Justice

The University of Chicago Energy Policy Institute
Education

NextHaus Alliance
Business

Chicago Food Rescue
Food & Agriculture

Click on the images of our honorees for more information

2025 Honorees

The Ecovoice Project
Arts & Entertainment

Erika Allen
Authentic Advocate

Ann Arbor's Office of Sustainability & Innovations
Best in the Midwest

Greenline Homes
Business

Brenda Palms
Education

Hazel M. Johnson
Environmental Justice
(Posthumously received by Cheryl Johnson)

Advanced Architectural Products
Green Technology

Edith Makra
Government - Civic Leadership

Rep. Ann M. Williams
Legislative Champion

City of Evanston
Government - Municipality

Click on the images of our honorees for more information

2024 Honorees

Gina Ramirez
Environmental Justice

Uptown Carbon Free Building Collaborative
Authentic Advocate

Loyola University Chicago
Education

SANCO 2
Green Technology

Elevate
Environmental Justice

AJ Patton
Business

Village of Oak Park
Government

Click on the images of our honorees for more information

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