The 2021 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) was given to six U.S. companies in three categories reflecting policy goals and significant global issues on Dec. 8.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken presented American businesses with awards in the categories of Economic Inclusion, Health Security, and Climate Innovation. One multinational company and one small-to-medium size enterprise were also awarded in each category, a U.S. Department of State press release said
“The Secretary of State’s annual Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) recognizes and honors U.S. companies that uphold high standards as responsible members of their communities,” state officials said in the release.
The award, which was established in 1999, aims to recognize companies that exemplify American values through their operations while adhering to worldwide quality standards such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the release said.
Companies are nominated for the ACE by the Chiefs of Mission of the U.S. embassies and consulates for their work in a specific nation, the release said. ACE finalists and winners are selected by a selection committee comprising of senior U.S. government officials.
Economic Inclusion honorees from the U.S. include Whirlpool Slovakia, which employs disadvantaged Roma workers and provides initiatives that benefit both its employees and the greater Roma population in the area, the release said.
Mastercard India, a multinational company, was also recognized as an Economic Inclusion honoree for its support of female entrepreneurs, small business owners and farmers, according to the release. The company also assisted in the establishment of India's first Rural Women's Chamber of Commerce.
Zipline, based in San Francisco, CA, was recognized in the category of Health Security, the release said. Awarded as a small-to-medium size enterprise, the business develops and operates delivery drones that transport critical medications, like COVID-19 vaccinations, to remote and underserved locations in Ghana and other countries.
Three American companies were honored in the Climate Innovation category, including Greenfield, Massachusetts-based Australis Aquaculture, which pioneered climate-smart ocean farming in Vietnam's marine tropics, the release said.
Patagonia, a sustainable multinational company based in Ventura, California, was also recognized for prioritizing environmental challenges in its business strategy and promoting programs that support nature-based climate solutions, most notably by strengthening Argentina's environmental legislative frameworks, the release said.
Additionally, Aerosol was recognized for important studies on identifying and controlling black carbon in Slovenia, according to the release.
