Celebrate San Mateo County's Sustainability Champions

Sustainable San Mateo County (SSMC) invites you to help honors pioneers who are moving the needle on our environment, economy and social equity. This year, we're doing things differently. We've reimagined our flagship event to be more inclusive, more energetic and more focused on the connections that drive real change.

What’s new? SSMC has traded the formal sit-down dinner for a dynamic, expanded networking reception and a fast-paced Awards Celebration. With reduced ticket prices ($25 for students and $75 for adults), we're opening the doors to accommodate more elected leaders, government staff, nonprofit leaders and community advocates who lead the way on sustainability every day.

Local Action, Broad Impact

Meet the 2026 Sustainability Awardees who are creating ripples of impact in the environment, economy and social equity, reaching far beyond our county borders:

• JobTrain: Transforming lives through green-career training and economic empowerment.
• Peninsula Precious Plastics: Turning "unrecyclable" waste into a circular-economy success story.
• Elaine Salinger: Mentoring thousands of students to turn climate anxiety into political action.
• Chiara Luey (Youth Award): A high-school powerhouse leading countywide electrification and global education.
• Global Security Operations Center at Genentech (Green Building Award) Setting the gold standard for a mission-critical facility achieving net-zero energy, deep whole-life carbon reduction and an exemplary indoor environment while operating 24/7.
• Millbrae Recreation Center (Green Building Honorable Mention): a multi-generational civic hub, recognized for its all-electric, net-zero-energy design and community-driven architecture.

Peninsula Clean Energy will provide special recognition to a local city leading the way on electrification reach codes. The winner will be announced in February.

The Experience: Attendees will mingle with the who's-who of sustainability, connect in the Youth Innovation Gallery and feel the ripple effect of local legends on the main stage.

When: Wednesday, March 25, 5 to 7 p.m. Where: South San Francisco Conference Center
Get Your Tickets Here Student: $25 | Adult: $75 | VIP Experience: $150
Support the Movement: Sponsorships are available starting at $500. Help SSMC keep these stories alive and local communities thriving. Become a Sponsor