Awards & Recognition
The Holistic Impact Award 2025
The Nobel Sustainability Award 2024
The CANEX Prize: Chair of Jury 2024
LA Weekly: Top 10 Coaches 2024
Writing Residency – UM6P 2024
HubSpot's Best Coaching Services 2024
Innovation in Politics Award 2023
HR Tech Outlook: Top 10 DEI 2023
CMOE's Top Coaching Companies 2022
HubSpot's Best Coaching Services 2022
The Holistic Impact Award 2025
The Nobel Sustainability Award 2024
The CANEX Prize: Chair of Jury 2024
LA Weekly: Top 10 Coaches 2024
Writing Residency – UM6P 2024
HubSpot's Best Coaching Services 2024
Innovation in Politics Award 2023
HR Tech Outlook: Top 10 DEI 2023
CMOE's Top Coaching Companies 2022
HubSpot's Best Coaching Services 2022
We are deeply honored that several individuals and organizations within the One Thriving Planet ecosystem have received prestigious awards and recognition since our founding in 2022. These include:
─── 2025 ───
The 2025 Holistic Impact Award
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(Cofounder, One Thriving Planet and CEO of Mercedes Martin & Co.)
Mercedes E. Martin-Burgess, Cofounder of One Thriving Planet and CEO of anchor organization Mercedes Martin & Co., has been honored with the 2025 Holistic Impact Award from the Centre for Organization Leadership and Development (COLD) and the Organization Leadership and Development Network (OLDN).
This international award recognizes outstanding contributions to Organization Development that create holistic impact, extending beyond traditional economic measures to generate positive social, environmental, and human value. As a visionary and systems thinker, Mercedes advances this expanded focus through work that aligns organizational performance with the flourishing of people, communities, and the planet.
A true global citizen, her projects span every habitable continent. She is a cohort member of the Cambridge University Sustainable Leadership Network, an advisory board member of How Women Lead, and a member of the PRME Working Group on the Sustainability Mindset. Her co‑founding of The Vuka Collective reflects a deep commitment to regenerative, justice‑centered transformation. Through her mentorship in the OLDN–COLD community, she is helping cultivate a new generation of OD practitioners dedicated to systems‑level change and human flourishing.
─── 2024 ───
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(Cofounder, One Thriving Planet)
One Thriving Planet Cofounder, Dr. Mathis Wackernagel, is the winner of the 2024 Nobel Sustainability Award. The Award recognizes his co-creation of the Ecological Footprint concept in the early 1990s with Professor William Rees and his global leadership in raising awareness about the limited natural resources of our planet. The footprint compares human demand against the capacity of the planet or a regional ecosystem to regenerate. The carbon footprint is the most widely used variant. In 2003, with Susan Burns, he co-founded Global Footprint Network, a global think tank that offers metrics, actionable insights, and tools for governments, communities, organizations, and individuals to operate within Earth's ecological limits. Their largest campaign, the annual Earth Overshoot Day, marks the date when humanity has used up all the natural resources that the Earth can provide in a year. Launched in 2006, this campaign has generated over five billion media impressions. His work has shaped environmental policies and practices worldwide. He has authored over 100 peer reviewed articles, and numerous papers, reports, and books on sustainability with a focus on measuring, planning, and existing within ecological limits.
2024 CANEX Prize for Publishing in Africa:Chair of Jury
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(Co-Lead of One Thriving Planet’s Regenerative Africa Library and Call for Literary Works initiatives)
Co-Lead of One Thriving Planet’s Regenerative Africa Library and Call for Literary Works initiatives, Dr. Okediran is a Renaissance man. He is a renowned medical doctor, former Nigerian Parliament member, and celebrated author of fourteen award-winning novels. He also serves as Secretary-General of the Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA), a global cultural institution established in November 1989. PAWA unites writers’ associations across Africa and its Diaspora, fostering cultural and economic connections among African people while embracing the continent’s diverse yet rich heritage. PAWA is headquartered in Accra, Ghana, where it enjoys full diplomatic status. Dr. Okediran’s novels have won numerous local and international awards. Among his notable works are Dreams Die at Twilight, which was shortlisted for the NLNG Nigerian Literature Prize, and Tenants of the House, which won the Wole Soyinka Prize for African Literature and was adapted into a motion picture available for global streaming on Netflix. He has worked with countless groups worldwide to promote African literature and multilingual publishing. The 2024 CANEX Prize for Publishing in Africa, which recognizes excellence in African publishing, selected Dr. Okediran to serve as Chair of the Jury.
L.A. Weekly’s The 10 Leadership Coaches to Watch in 2024
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(CEO of a)plan coaching, a One Thriving Planet anchor organization)
Sara Ellis Conant is the CEO of a)plan coaching, one of One Thriving Planet’s anchor organizations. A coaching pioneer, she started coaching in 2000, after being trained by her father, Dave Ellis, one of the founders of the coaching industry. She has devoted her professional life to assisting individuals and groups to achieve long-lasting gains in productivity, leadership, and communication. Apart from her proficiency in coaching, she managed the launch of Deloitte’s sustainability and corporate responsibility practice, where she led a team of 10 and grew revenue from $0 to $150 million over 3 years. She holds a BA and an MBA from Stanford University, as well as advanced coach training and yoga teacher certifications. She co-founded a)plan coaching with Michael Counts in 2017 and became the CEO in 2019.
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(Co-Lead of One Thriving Planet’s Regenerative Africa Library and Call for Literary Works initiatives)
Co-Lead of One Thriving Planet’s Regenerative Africa Library and Call for Literary Works initiatives, Dr. Okediran is a Renaissance man. He is a renowned medical doctor, former Nigerian Parliament member, and celebrated author of fourteen award-winning novels. He also serves as the Secretary-General of the Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA), a global cultural institution established in November 1989. PAWA unites writers’ associations across Africa and its Diaspora, fostering cultural and economic connections among African people while embracing the continent’s diverse yet rich heritage. PAWA is headquartered in Accra, Ghana, where it enjoys full diplomatic status. Dr. Okediran’s novels have won numerous local and international awards. Among his notable works are Dreams Die at Twilight, which was shortlisted for the NLNG Nigerian Literature Prize, and Tenants of the House, which won the Wole Soyinka Prize for African Literature and was adapted into a motion picture available for global streaming on Netflix. He has worked with countless groups worldwide to promote African literature and multilingual publishing. At the Institute for Advanced Studies at University Mohammed, 6 Polytechnic (UM6P) in Morocco, Dr. Okediran will run a unique writing program centered on travel narratives. His expertise in creative writing, coupled with his deep understanding of cultural and societal dynamics, promises an engaging and transformative experience for all involved.
Hubspot's Best Coaching Services for 2024
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(a One Thriving Planet anchor organization)
a)plan coaching is one of One Thriving Planet’s anchor organizations, playing a central role in our practice area of developing High-Performing Leaders & Teams. a)plan supports many of the individuals, teams, and organizations with whom we work to achieve their full potential. Recognized numerous times in recent years as one of the world’s top coaching services by the Center for Management & Organization Effectiveness (CMOE), HR Tech Outlook, HubSpot, and Slater Coaching in Medium, a)plan coaching is a globally respected provider of innovative, technology-driven coaching. a)plan delivers measurable results, with 97% of clients identifying critical goals for personal and professional growth, 94% describing their coach as a trusted and valuable partner, and 99% recommending its services. Organizations working with a)plan see at least a 4X return on investment, benefiting from improved performance, collaboration, and talent retention. a)plan’s unique virtual coaching model integrates cutting-edge strategies tailored to individual and organizational needs, helping clients navigate complex challenges, build robust cultures, and sustain long-term success. With a proven track record across all sectors, a)plan coaching equips clients with the tools to navigate change, optimize resources, and drive meaningful success.
─── 2023 ───
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(a One Thriving Planet anchor organization)
Expedition Zukunft (Expedition Future), one of One Thriving Planet’s anchor organizations, serves at the core of our initiative to extend rapid collaborative policymaking practices to national and subnational governments worldwide. Through its unique Policy Sprint, it brings together Swiss parliamentarians across the political spectrum, along with other key stakeholders, to collaborate on significant challenges. In just two days, a policy sprint will generate consensus on concrete measures for action and legislative proposals, which are jointly introduced into the regular, democratic parliamentary process. Since the first Policy Sprint on climate-neutral mobility, three parliamentary proposals have been successfully submitted to Parliament. The Federal Government has recommended all three initiatives for approval, one of which has already been accepted. Two other sprints on sustainable finance and commercial transportation are currently underway. In May 2023, the Innovation in Politics Institute awarded Expedition Zukunft their Innovation in Politics Award 2023, together with parliamentarians from five different parties, for innovative political work across Europe. An international jury of 1045 citizens selected them from 337 submitted political projects from 26 countries. Expedition Zukunft and the rest of the One Thriving Planet ecosystem are collaborating to expand this innovative policymaking approach to national and subnational governments worldwide—to accelerate the passage of policies on climate, biodiversity, the just transition to low-carbon economies, and other pressing issues.
HR Tech Outlook's Top 10 Emerging Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Company 2023
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(a One Thriving Planet anchor organization)
a)plan coaching is one of One Thriving Planet’s anchor organizations, playing a central role in our practice area of developing High-Performing Leaders & Teams. a)plan supports many of the individuals, teams, and organizations with whom we work to achieve their full potential. It earned a prestigious spot on HR Tech Outlook’s Top 10 Emerging Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Companies, solidifying its reputation as a transformative leader. This acknowledgment highlights a)plan’s commitment to supporting organizations and leaders in embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into their core values through innovative, tech-enabled coaching methods. Recognized several times in recent years as one of the world’s top coaching services by the Center for Management & Organization Effectiveness (CMOE), HR Tech Outlook, HubSpot, and Slater Coaching in Medium, a)plan coaching is a globally respected provider of innovative, technology-driven coaching. a)plan delivers measurable results, with 97% of clients identifying critical goals for personal and professional growth, 94% describing their coach as a trusted and valuable partner, and 99% recommending its services. Organizations working with a)plan see at least a 4X return on investment, benefiting from improved performance, collaboration, and talent retention. a)plan’s unique virtual coaching model integrates cutting-edge strategies tailored to individual and organizational needs, helping clients navigate complex challenges, build robust cultures, and sustain long-term success. With a proven track record across all sectors, a)plan coaching equips clients with the tools to navigate change, optimize resources, and drive meaningful success.
─── 2022 ───
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(a One Thriving Planet anchor organization)
a)plan coaching is one of One Thriving Planet’s anchor organizations, playing a central role in our practice area of developing High-Performing Leaders & Teams. a)plan supports many of the individuals, teams, and organizations with whom we work to achieve their full potential. Recognized numerous times in recent years as one of the world’s top coaching services by the Center for Management & Organization Effectiveness (CMOE), HR Tech Outlook, HubSpot, and Slater Coaching in Medium, a)plan coaching is a globally respected provider of innovative, technology-driven coaching. a)plan delivers measurable results, with 97% of clients identifying critical goals for personal and professional growth, 94% describing their coach as a trusted and valuable partner, and 99% recommending its services. Organizations working with a)plan see at least a 4X return on investment, benefiting from improved performance, collaboration, and talent retention. a)plan’s unique virtual coaching model integrates cutting-edge strategies tailored to individual and organizational needs, helping clients navigate complex challenges, build robust cultures, and sustain long-term success. With a proven track record across all sectors, a)plan coaching equips clients with the tools to navigate change, optimize resources, and drive meaningful success.
Hubspot's Best Coaching Services for 2022
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(a One Thriving Planet anchor organization)
a)plan coaching is one of One Thriving Planet’s anchor organizations, playing a central role in our practice area of developing High-Performing Leaders & Teams. a)plan supports many of the individuals, teams, and organizations with whom we work to achieve their full potential. Recognized numerous times in recent years as one of the world’s top coaching services by the Center for Management & Organization Effectiveness (CMOE), HR Tech Outlook, HubSpot, and Slater Coaching in Medium, a)plan coaching is a globally respected provider of innovative, technology-driven coaching. a)plan delivers measurable results, with 97% of clients identifying critical goals for personal and professional growth, 94% describing their coach as a trusted and valuable partner, and 99% recommending its services. Organizations working with a)plan see at least a 4X return on investment, benefiting from improved performance, collaboration, and talent retention. a)plan’s unique virtual coaching model integrates cutting-edge strategies tailored to individual and organizational needs, helping clients navigate complex challenges, build robust cultures, and sustain long-term success. With a proven track record across all sectors, a)plan coaching equips clients with the tools to navigate change, optimize resources, and drive meaningful success.