Local Action, Broad Impact:
SSMC Honors Leaders Who Drive Sustainability Impact
Reimagined Awards Celebration lowers barriers to entry, inviting the entire community to celebrate heroes transforming San Mateo County’s economy, equity and environment.
Sustainable San Mateo County (SSMC) is proud to announce its 2026 Award winners, a cohort of visionaries recognized for high-impact, transformative action. From a 12th grader mobilizing 9,000 students to cut millions of kilograms of carbon, to a legacy nonprofit bridging the gap between social equity and the green workforce, this year’s honorees prove that local action is the key to broad, lasting impact. To ensure these inspiring stories reach every corner of the community, SSMC has reimagined its 27th Annual Awards Celebration, taking place on Wednesday, March 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the South San Francisco Conference Center. This year, the organization has traded the traditional sit-down dinner for a high-energy, accessible format with significantly reduced ticket prices.
“Our goal this year is inclusivity,” said Sarah Hubbard, Executive Director of SSMC. “By shifting to a more dynamic event with lots of time for networking, we are opening the doors to more government staff, nonprofit leaders, students and community advocates who are doing the hard work of sustainability every day. We want everyone to fuel their inspiration and build the connections that turn local action into a ripple effect of broad impact across San Mateo County.”
The following awardees represent these values by demonstrating how a single point of local action creates the ripples necessary for broad, lasting impact.
2026 Sustainability Award Winners
- JobTrain, with five locations across the county: For 60 years, JobTrain has been a driver of social equity and economic vitality. Serving a 90% BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) population, they prepare those most in need for careers in high-demand fields, including building electrification. Last year they served 5,500 individuals, proving that an inclusive economy is the foundation of a sustainable future.
- Peninsula Precious Plastics of San Carlos: Led by CEO Nicholas Schick, this initiative has evolved from a student project into a premier regional STEAM hub. By repurposing “unrecyclable” plastic into functional furniture and art, they are localizing the circular economy and preventing tons of waste from entering our ecosystems.
- Elaine Salinger of San Mateo: As a mentor for Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Salinger has turned climate anxiety into political agency for thousands of students. Her leadership has generated 3,000+ annual constituent contacts, influencing federal and state legislators while cultivating the next generation of climate champions.
- Chiara Luey of Hillsborough (Youth Sustainability Award): A 12th-grade powerhouse, Luey co-led a campaign to pass “Electric-First” resolutions across four high schools and founded Energizing Youth, a global initiative reaching students as far as Zambia and Brazil.
Green Building Awards
Presented in partnership with the American Institute of Architects San Mateo County:
- Green Building Award: The Global Security Operations Center at Genentech (South San Francisco). This mission-critical facility achieves net-zero energy, deep whole-life carbon reduction and an exemplary indoor environment while operating 24/7.
- Honorable Mention: The Millbrae Recreation Center, a multi-generational civic hub, is recognized for its all-electric, net-zero-energy design and community-driven architecture.
Peninsula Clean Energy will also provide special recognition to a courageous local city leading the way on building electrification. The winner will be announced in February.
Event Details and New Format
The March 25 celebration features an expanded networking reception, a Youth Innovation Gallery highlighting student projects from across the county and a fast-paced awards program.
Tickets and Registration: In line with SSMC’s mission of equity, ticket prices have been reduced to encourage wide attendance:
- Students: $25
- General Admission: $75 (Includes networking reception with appetizers and awards program)
- VIP Experience: $150 (Includes access to a private reception with award winners, upscale appetizers, two drink tickets and premium seating)
Register at bit.ly/SSMC-Awards-Ticket
Sponsorships: Starting as low as $500, details at bit.ly/SponsorSSMC.
About Sustainable San Mateo County
Founded in 1992, Sustainable San Mateo County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to a vision of a sustainable future for everyone in the county. Its mission is to drive impactful action on economic, environmental and social equity issues.
