Equity at the Top: A New Era of Business Recognition | Equity 100
- Digital Strategy
- Aug 8
- 3 min read
A Conversation with Andrew Jackson on the Launch of Equity 100™
By Jessica Wilson | Editor at Digital Strategy Institute Panel
"This isn’t a trophy for loud growth. It’s recognition for quiet courage."— Andrew Jackson, Executive Director, SoftwareVerdict
Jessica Wilson: Andrew, let’s begin with the simplest question. Why Equity 100™? Why now?
Andrew Jackson: The timing chose us.Over the last few years, we’ve recognized HR leaders through the ITL Awards — and what we found was enlightening: HR can implement equity, but only CEOs can truly embed it.
Equity isn’t a DEI checklist. It’s a leadership stance. And if you want equity to last, it has to come from the top.
“Equity isn’t a program. It’s a pattern. It’s how leadership behaves when nobody’s watching.”— Andrew Jackson
Jessica: So Equity 100™ shifts the spotlight from HR leaders to business heads?
Andrew: Exactly. CEOs, founders, business owners — the people who shape the core DNA of the business.Whether it’s how they treat factory workers, approach sustainability, or respond during crises — equity reveals itself in small, consistent choices.
Equity 100™ is about recognizing that kind of leadership.Not the loudest. The most lasting.
Jessica: The business world has no shortage of awards. What’s fundamentally different here?
Andrew: Most awards still celebrate scale, speed, or spectacle. Equity 100™ rewards principles.
We're looking at five lenses:
Fairness & Inclusion
Sustainable Value Creation
People-First Leadership
Ethical Innovation
Societal & Stakeholder Impact
“It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being intentional.”
Jessica: Can you give an example of the kind of leader Equity 100™ hopes to recognize?
Andrew: Absolutely. A few come to mind already —A manufacturing entrepreneur in Pune who restructured her entire supply chain to empower rural women.A mid-size logistics company in East Africa where the CEO pays all employees a profit-linked bonus — including cleaners and drivers.A Brazilian retail leader who implemented transparent pay bands for every role — without being asked.
None of them are in the news every day. But they’re building better businesses every day.That’s who Equity 100™ is for.
“You don’t need to be featured in Fortune to belong in Equity 100™. You just need to believe in building fairly — and follow through.”— Andrew Jackson
Jessica: The nomination process is open and rolling. That’s not the norm. Why take that route?
Andrew: Because real leadership doesn’t happen on a schedule.We don’t want to create a one-night gala with a red carpet and 200 logos. We want meaningful recognition that meets leaders where they are — on the ground, in the middle of building.
When we see a great story of equity in action, we recognize it. Simple.
Jessica: What’s the process like?
Andrew: It starts with a self-nomination — or someone nominating a CEO they admire. We ask for:
A brief leadership philosophy
A real-world initiative that reflects equity
The impact that created — on people, business, or community
Then our jury, including partners from Digital Strategy Institute, TopCISO, and others, evaluates each based on both intent and context.
“Equity isn’t one-size-fits-all. We look at local context. We weigh what matters — not who’s the loudest.”
Jessica: Let’s talk about partners. Who’s helping shape Equity 100™?
Andrew: We’ve been intentional about that too.
SoftwareVerdict leads the platform and methodology
TopCISO brings the governance and leadership lens
Digital Strategy Institute offers strategy and academic rigor
Searchruby helps us craft stories that teach, not just tell
Granulon, with its roots in sustainability, reminds us that equity isn’t just internal — it’s ecological too.
Together, we’ve built an award that feels credible, cross-sectoral, and conscience-driven.
Jessica: What happens once someone is selected?
Andrew: They’re not just “on a list.”We invite them to participate in:
The Equity 100™ Showcase Report
Thought leadership podcasts
Boardroom conversations on building equitable business models
Peer-to-peer sessions with other honorees across the globe
We want to spark collaboration — not competition.
“Equity 100™ is not the end of a journey. It’s a beginning. A signal to the world that leadership can be fair, focused, and deeply human.”— Andrew Jackson
Jessica: Final thought — what would you say to a CEO who isn’t sure they’re “ready” to be nominated?
Andrew: If you've made one meaningful decision that put people before pressure, or values before vanity — you’re ready.This isn’t about perfection. It’s about principle.
“Equity 100™ is for those who build with soul, not just speed.”
About Equity 100™
Equity 100™ – Global Leadership Awards is an initiative by SoftwareVerdict to honor 100 business leaders globally who embed fairness, sustainability, and stakeholder-first thinking into the heart of how they lead. It is supported by Digital Strategy Institute, TopCISO, Searchruby, and Granulon.