Meet the 2026 BICEP award winners leading on corporate advocacy for an affordable, resilient clean economy

Last week, business leaders took to Capitol Hill with a shared message for Congress: smart, bipartisan policy can lower energy costs, strengthen American manufacturing, and position the U.S. to lead in the industries shaping the 21^st Century economy. 

In dozens of meetings with Congressional offices on both sides of the aisle, representatives from some of America’s largest and most recognizable corporations made the convincing economic case for pragmatic, market-oriented solutions that prioritize affordability and policy certainty. Their message was clear — when Congress provides the right policy framework, businesses are ready to invest, hire, and build in America to create a more competitive U.S. economy and a more resilient energy system.  

But our time in D.C. wasn’t just about the work ahead. At our annual BICEP Awards dinner on Wednesday night, we paused to reflect on the past year and celebrate our successes as we chart the path forward. It was in this spirit that we honored the company leaders and partners who demonstrated exceptional leadership with their advocacy. We’re grateful to all of this year’s award winners for their vital work in 2025 and excited about the progress still to come. 

BICEP Crown: Jennifer Wieroniey, Michelin 

Jennifer Wieroniey, head of U.S. federal government affairs at Michelin, earned the top award this year for her exceptional commitment to advocacy at both the state and federal levels. She consistently showed up on Capitol Hill throughout the year, helping build vital relationships on both sides of the aisle and connecting key policy issues such as permitting reform to long-term corporate goals needed to build a strong, clean economy. Jennifer brought the same leadership to the states and with the media, taking part in important events that facilitated critical dialogue between public- and private-sector leaders and mobilizing executives to speak publicly in support of our shared policy priorities. 

Federal Policy Champion: DHL  

Our premier federal policy award this year goes to DHL for the company’s consistent advocacy on Capitol Hill. As a major a major shipping and logistics company, DHL’s voice has been critical to strengthening bipartisan support for ambitious federal policies that grow a clean economy and expand U.S. manufacturing. This includes its vital, consistent support for zero-emissions vehicles, sustainable aviation fuel, and clean energy incentives. 

State Policy Champions: CommonSpirit Health and Sealed 

We are thrilled to celebrate two leading companies as state policy champions this year. CommonSpirit Health received this award in recognition of more than a decade of engagement across policy issues and states. The organization demonstrated leadership again this year with robust advocacy in California of the reauthorization and strengthening of the state's cap-and-invest program — helping keep energy affordable, improving public health, generating billions for clean investments, and reaffirming California’s global climate leadership.  

Sealed earned this award for its robust advocacy that was instrumental in helping secure the passage of the Illinois Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act. Through legislative testimony, in-person meetings, and media engagement, the company’s executives made a compelling case for the nation-leading legislation—highlighting how it will ease costs for households and businesses while delivering a more affordable, reliable energy future. 

Internal Policy Advocate of the Year: Zach Carstensen, Salesforce 

The Internal Policy Advocate award, which recognizes individuals and teams that align their companies’ policy advocacy with responsible business practices, is one of the Ceres BICEP Network’s most important honors. In 2025, Zach Carstensen, working in state and local government affairs at Salesforce, exemplified this work as one of our top advocacy partners in Illinois. As Ceres expanded our advocacy in the state, Zach worked with Ceres to convene businesses leaders and policymakers at a crucial strategic event—helping strengthen the state’s corporate advocacy network and advance forward-looking energy policies that drive both business growth and climate action.  

Emerging Climate Policy Champion: Schneider Electric and Joshua Freeman, Panasonic North America 

Two close partners of the Ceres BICEP Network earned recognition as emerging advocates this year. First, we were thrilled to see Schneider Electric ramp up its policy engagement with Ceres. As one of the most impactful corporate voices at LEAD on a Clean Economy 2026, the company demonstrated a keen understanding of how to leverage its advocacy for maximum impact in advancing smart, bipartisan policy solutions. 

Second, Joshual Freeman, battery public policy manager at Panasonic North America, stepped forward as an enthusiastic and impactful advocate for our shared priorities in Congress, helping make the economic case for federal policies that invest in a cleaner, more affordable, and resilient energy system. 

Transportation Policy Advocate of the Year: Lucid and Melissa Bauer, eBay  

We are pleased to honor two Ceres BICEP Network members for their influential transportation advocacy in 2025. Lucid continued its unwavering commitment to championing the business case for clean vehicle policies that expand U.S. manufacturing and jobs in a critical advanced technology sector. Through meetings and events with state and federal policymakers, administrative officials, and key reporters, Lucid made the compelling case for the policies and investments America needs to build a competitive U.S. auto industry.  

Melissa Bauer, sustainability strategy lead at eBay, played a key leadership role in building a corporate coalition of top U.S. e-commerce and logistics companies. Together, the group advances policy solutions to reduce emissions from product shipments and deliveries and accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vehicles. Putting this leadership into action, eBay championed critical clean vehicle policies at the state level to help achieve these goals, including New York’s Clean Deliveries Act. 

Industrial Decarbonization Policy Advocate of the Year: Heirloom Carbon 

We are pleased to celebrate Heirloom Carbon for its advocacy of expanding solutions that eliminate pollution from America’s heavy industrial sector. Throughout 2025, the company engaged in policy discussions in Congress and statehouses nationwide to advance high-integrity carbon removal technologies, ensure facilities include strong labor protections, and incorporate community governance. This ongoing leadership in this area is critical to advancing sustainability, permeance and equity, while driving U.S. leadership forward in a critical 21^st Century industry.  

U.S. State Lawmaker Climate Champion: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker 

Kicking off the new year in a big way, Illinois Gov. Pritzker in January signed one of the most consequential state energy laws passed in 2025. The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act sets a new benchmark for state energy leadership. We are proud to celebrate Gov. Pritzker’s commitment to long-term solutions that address current energy and affordability challenges and to keeping Illinois competitive in the modern economy.  

Congressional Climate Champion: Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois 

Rep. Casten has been a steadfast champion and educator among his colleagues in Congress, advocating for a strong, resilient U.S. economy powered by affordable, reliable, homegrown clean energy. He understands the value of engaging private-sector leaders, bringing their expertise to Capitol Hill to make the business case for strategic federal investments that create jobs, sustain U.S. competitiveness, and strengthen the nation’s energy system. Through his smart, clear messaging, he highlights a crucial point: clean energy is the lowest cost energy, and policies that accelerate its deployment help lower utility bills while building a more competitive U.S. economy. 

Ryan Martel Capitol Hill Climb Award: David Schutt from SEEC 

Last but far from least, the Ryan Martel Capitol Hill Climb Award is among the most meaningful ones we present at Ceres, named in honor of our beloved late colleague and former federal policy director, Ryan Martel. David earned this award for his work with the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), bringing together advocacy organizations, Congressional offices across SEEC, and House leadership to defend and reestablish federal clean economy incentives in 2025. We know Ryan would be incredibly proud of this effort to highlight the importance of investing in clean energy to keep the U.S. competitive, protect jobs, and manage energy costs.