Rising to the top: Insights from Corporate Governance Awards nominees and winners – | Governance Intelligence

Report on the 2025 Corporate Governance Awards: Aligning Corporate Excellence with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Governance as a Foundation for Sustainable Development

The 2025 Corporate Governance Awards highlight a significant trend wherein corporate integrity, transparency, and purpose-driven leadership are increasingly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Excellence in corporate governance serves as a critical mechanism for advancing the 2030 Agenda, particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), which calls for effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. This report analyzes the perspectives of award recipients, framing their achievements within the context of specific SDGs.

Key Findings: Integrating SDGs into Corporate Strategy and Reporting

Analysis of statements from award nominees and winners reveals a strong correlation between award-winning governance practices and the principles of sustainable development. Key themes include:

1. Strengthening Institutions through Accountability and Transparency (SDG 16)

   The awards underscore that robust governance frameworks are fundamental to building trust and ensuring institutional accountability, directly supporting SDG 16.6 (Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions).

   • Chevron: Recognized for best governance team and best shareholder engagement, the company’s focus on effective engagement amid significant change exemplifies the commitment to stakeholder accountability required by SDG 16.
   • General Motors and Murphy Oil: Shortlisted for best proxy statements, their work demonstrates a commitment to providing meaningful and transparent disclosures, a core tenet of accountable institutions.
   • Bristol-Myers Squibb: The team’s goal to present governance practices in a compelling and accessible manner reinforces the principle of transparency and accountability central to SDG 16.
   • Healthpeak Properties: The view that a governance leader cultivates trust, transparency, and accountability directly reflects the objectives of building strong institutions.

2. Promoting Responsible Production and Corporate Sustainability Reporting (SDG 12)

   Several awards for sustainability reporting highlight the growing corporate responsibility to measure, manage, and disclose environmental and social impacts, which is a key target of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

   • ExlService: Winning for best sustainability reporting (mid-cap), the company reinforced its belief that integrity and accountability are the foundation of responsible growth, aligning with SDG 12’s emphasis on sustainable corporate practices.
   • Omnicell: The award for best sustainability reporting (small cap) was framed as a milestone in shaping the future of corporate governance, indicating a broader industry shift towards integrating sustainability into core operations as encouraged by SDG 12.

3. Fostering Ethical Practices and Reducing Corruption (SDG 16.5)

   The recognition of leading compliance and ethics programs is directly linked to SDG 16.5 (Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms).

   • Arm Holdings: The award for best compliance and ethics program was described as a service to the public, demonstrating how robust internal controls contribute to the broader societal goal of reducing corruption and building trustworthy institutions.

4. Driving Purpose-Driven Leadership for Community and Economic Resilience (SDG 8 & SDG 11)

   The awards celebrate leadership that extends beyond regulatory compliance to create tangible value for society, contributing to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

   • Ally Financial: The lifetime achievement award recognized a career focused on how strong governance creates value not just for organizations but for the communities they serve, a principle that supports the development of inclusive and resilient communities under SDG 11.

Conclusion: The Role of Corporate Governance in Advancing the 2030 Agenda

The 2025 Corporate Governance Awards demonstrate that leading corporations are embedding the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals into their core operational and strategic frameworks. The collective emphasis on teamwork, purpose, and accountability illustrates a clear understanding that effective governance is the primary vehicle for achieving long-term, sustainable value for both shareholders and society. These achievements signal a definitive move towards a model of corporate leadership where success is measured not only by compliance but by a tangible contribution to global sustainability targets, particularly SDG 16, SDG 12, SDG 8, and SDG 11.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the 2025 Corporate Governance Awards connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by emphasizing principles of accountability, transparency, and sustainable practices within the corporate sector. The primary SDGs addressed are:

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: This is directly addressed through the recognition of companies for their sustainability reporting.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The core theme of the article—corporate governance—is fundamentally about building effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at the corporate level.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The emphasis on shareholder and stakeholder engagement reflects the collaborative approach needed to achieve sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the themes of corporate governance, sustainability reporting, and stakeholder relations discussed in the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.6: Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.
     
     Explanation: The article explicitly celebrates this target by highlighting the awards for “best sustainability reporting.” Ciara McMenamin of ExlService and Cara Mia Manzella of Omnicell are recognized for winning awards in this category, directly reflecting the corporate adoption of sustainability reporting.

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
     
     Explanation: The entire article is a testament to this target applied to the corporate world. Phrases such as “integrity, transparency and purpose-driven leadership,” “commitment to strong governance practices, transparency, accountability” (Sophie Bail, Bristol-Myers Squibb), and “cultivates trust, transparency, and accountability” (Carol Samaan, Healthpeak Properties) directly align with the goal of building accountable and transparent institutions. The award for “best compliance and ethics program” won by Arm Holdings further underscores this commitment.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
     
     Explanation: While this target often refers to public-private partnerships, its principle extends to multi-stakeholder collaboration. The article highlights the importance of stakeholder relationships through the “best shareholder engagement” award won by Chevron. Scott Cross of General Motors also emphasizes providing “meaningful disclosures to our stakeholders,” which is a key component of building trust and effective partnerships with investors and the community.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several qualitative and activity-based indicators that can measure progress towards the identified targets:

1. Indicators for Target 12.6

   • Publication of Sustainability Reports: The existence of award categories for “best sustainability reporting (mid-cap)” and “best sustainability reporting (small cap)” implies that the number and quality of companies publishing these reports are key metrics of progress. The article celebrates the winners as leaders in this practice.

2. Indicators for Target 16.6

   • Adoption of Strong Governance Practices: The awards themselves serve as a qualitative indicator. Specific practices mentioned include “transparent, thoughtful disclosures” in proxy statements (Murphy Oil) and the implementation of a “best compliance and ethics program” (Arm Holdings).
   • Commitment to Accountability and Transparency: Statements from corporate leaders about their focus on “integrity and accountability” (ExlService) and “transparency” (Bristol-Myers Squibb) serve as evidence of institutional commitment, a key qualitative indicator.

3. Indicators for Target 17.17

   • Effective Shareholder and Stakeholder Engagement: The award for “best shareholder engagement” won by Chevron is a direct indicator of successful partnership-building with a key stakeholder group. The focus on providing “meaningful disclosures to our stakeholders” (General Motors) is another measurable action that indicates progress in building transparent relationships.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: governance-intelligence.com