Celebrating Bridging Leadership: Recap of the 2026 Bridging Leadership Awards

Global Network Week opened in New York City on May 12 with the 2026 Bridging Leadership Awards, convening philanthropists, changemakers, and partners from around the world under the theme of “United for Collective Impact”. 

The New York Historical came alive with vibrant imagery and natural soundscapes, with the evening’s signature cocktail, The Canopy, all inspired by this year’s honorees and their work to help people and planet thrive together. Throughout the opening reception, old friends reconnected, new relationships began, and conversations flowed across sectors, geographies, and generations. 

This year’s honorees, Farwiza Farhan of Yayasan HAkA and Peter Bakker of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, embody Bridging Leadership in practice: bringing people together to advance collaborative solutions to some of the world’s most urgent challenges.  

Watch Farwiza Farhan's Acceptance Speech

Watch Peter Bakker's Acceptance Speech

In conversation with Synergos Chair and Founder Peggy Dulany, they reflected on what it takes to bridge across divides: the humility it requires, the challenge of building trust in polarizing environments, and the importance of sustaining hope in the face of uncertainty. The conversation returned again and again to a central theme from the evening: that climate, nature, and equity are deeply interconnected, and that meaningful progress depends on our ability to work across boundaries and act together.  

Synergos CEO Camille Massey opened the Awards program with a question that resonated throughout the evening: “What can we do together that we cannot do alone?” And one of Synergos’ newest Board members, Hosh Ibrahim, closed with a reminder of what unites this community: a belief in the possibility for a better future, and the courage, imagination, and shared commitment needed to get there.

Watch Hosh Ibrahim's Address

The Awards program gave way to a dinner reception filled with music, laughter, and conversation – a fitting end to a night that was about more than celebrating two extraordinary leaders. It was a reflection of the Synergos community at its best: global in perspective, rich in relationships, and united by a commitment to collective action.