Dr Suman Minda, Chairperson of the Suman Nirmal Minda Foundation (SNMF), the CSR arm of Uno Minda Group, has received the Global Education Leadership Award at the 10th NYC Green School Conference 2026, held at the SUNY Global Center in New York. The award recognises her contribution to social development and her efforts to foster inclusive, future-ready learning environments.
The conference brought together education leaders, policymakers, sustainability advocates and innovators to advance climate-conscious education systems. Held alongside Climate Week NYC and the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81), it provided a global platform to explore education’s role in addressing social and environmental challenges.
For Dr Minda, the recognition reinforces her belief in the power of education to shape a more responsible and inclusive future. “This recognition is deeply meaningful as it reinforces the power of education in shaping a more sustainable and responsible future. I believe that by nurturing young minds with the right values, awareness, and opportunities, we can create a generation that leads with purpose and drives positive change for society and the planet,” she said.
From corporate responsibility to community empowerment
Uno Minda Group’s commitment to social responsibility dates back to its inception. To give this commitment a structured focus, the Group established the Suman Nirmal Minda Foundation as its dedicated CSR arm. In 2012, it launched Samarth-Jyoti, its flagship community empowerment initiative.
The Foundation works across four pillars: education, skill development, preventive and curative healthcare, and community development. Its programmes combine access to essential services with initiatives that build individual capabilities and strengthen communities.
SNMF runs two senior secondary schools, each educating around 1,500 students, and operates more than 19 Samarth-Jyoti centres across India. Its initiatives collectively reach more than 3 lakh people across 18 villages in seven states.
Through education, capacity building and community volunteering, the Foundation seeks to expand opportunities for underserved populations and help them improve their quality of life.
Turning leadership into lasting impact
As educational institutions respond to changing social and environmental priorities, their role extends beyond academic achievement to preparing young people to contribute meaningfully to society. The NYC Green School Conference provides an international platform for advancing this broader vision.
Dr Minda’s award recognises this commitment while highlighting the contribution of sustained community investment to social progress. Through its schools and outreach programmes, SNMF seeks to turn that commitment into tangible opportunities for underserved communities.
Ultimately, the measure of this work lies in the opportunities it creates: better access to learning, stronger community capabilities and greater prospects for the next generation.