Meet the 4th Annual Anthem Special Achievement Winners
From expanding people’s worldview to reforming the chocolate industry, this year’s Special Achievement Winners are uniquely molding a better world.
Annually, The Anthem Awards recognizes a select group of individuals with Special Achievement Awards in honor of their longstanding commitment to advocacy. Whether reforming business models, encouraging cultural understanding, or fighting for maternal justice, these founders have showcased an unwavering dedication to creating lasting change.
We’re thrilled to unveil the recipients of the 4th Annual Special Achievement Awards. Winners include Tony’s Chocolonely Founder Teun van de Keuken, Padma Lakshmi and Christy Turlington Burns!
Below, explore the stories and inspiring Call to Action speeches of these extraordinary individuals whose work is shaping a more equitable future.
Teun van de Keuken
The 4th Annual Anthem Awards is honoring Teun van de Keuken, Founder of Tony’s Chocolonely, with the Anthem Vision Award for his revolutionary work in pioneering ethical business practices across the chocolate industry. After uncovering the widespread use of unethical labor on cocoa farms in West Africa, van de Keuken decided to start his own brand and produce 100% exploitation-free chocolate. By working directly with cocoa farmers in Ghana and Ivory Coast, paying them fair prices and ensuring that no child labor or exploitation occurred, Tony’s Chocolonely is setting a new ethical standard in business. Since its founding, the company has grown into a widely recognized leader in the movement to eliminate slavery from the global chocolate supply chain.
Padma Lakshmi
An Emmy-nominated television host, producer, and award-winning author, Padma Lakshmi utilizes her platform to inspire and activate people across the globe. We are proud to recognize her work in fostering multiculturalism, promoting social justice, and empowering women with an Anthem Special Achievement Award. Through her show, “Taste The Nation,” Lakshmi is helping create a stronger understanding of the many cultures that come together to make American food and culture. She is also the co-founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America, which was created to raise awareness of endometriosis among the public and the medical community. From supporting women and underrepresented communities to her work as an ACLU Artist Ambassador, UNDP Goodwill Ambassador and more, Lakshmi is inspiring a more inclusive world.
Christy Turlington Burns
When giving birth to her first child, Christy Turlington Burns faced a number of complications and committed herself to raising awareness of pregnancy and childbirth-related complications. In 2010, Christy Turlington Burns founded Every Mother Counts to advocate for solutions to the maternal health crisis, invest in community-based solutions, and advocate for policy change. Every Mother Counts is working to reverse high maternal mortality rates. To date, they have helped more than 1.5 million women, families, and healthcare workers, invested over $42 million for advocacy and community-led initiatives, and engaged with more than 600,000 individuals looking to improve maternal health outcomes. In recognition of her commitment to improve maternal health outcomes and advocate for mothers everywhere, The Anthem Awards is thrilled to present Turlington Burns with an Anthem Special Achievement Award.
Winners of the 4th Annual Anthem Awards have been announced!
A huge congratulations to this year’s Winners—their advocacy deserves to be recognized for changing our world. Head to our Winners Gallery to see them all and hear their inspiring Calls to Action, including the Anthem Nonprofit of the Year, GLAAD, and this year’s Anthem Community Voice Winners, selected by the impact community!
