Belizean Entrepreneur Receives 2024 MB100 Award for Global Social Impact

Umeeda Switlo, CEO and co-founder of Naledo, has been honoured with the 2024 Meaningful Business 100 (MB100) Award, recognising her as a leading social impact entrepreneur. This prestigious award celebrates individuals who successfully combine profit with purpose to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Switlo joins an elite group of changemakers from over 30 countries across various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, and technology. The MB100 Award is organised by Meaningful Business and follows a rigorous selection process overseen by an expert panel. Nominees are evaluated based on their impact on social and environmental issues, leadership in their industries, and commitment to sustainable business practices.

Naledo, founded in Canada and Belize, focuses on producing sustainably sourced, wildcrafted turmeric products. Switlo’s recognition underscores her dedication to blending social impact with business growth, emphasising fair trade and environmental stewardship.

Since its inception in 2016, Naledo has partnered with small-scale growers and local communities to harvest wild turmeric sustainably. The company’s flagship product, Truly Turmeric, is the world’s first wildcrafted turmeric paste, and Naledo ensures fair compensation for growers, helping them build lasting livelihoods.

The MB100 Award highlights the global trend toward purpose-driven entrepreneurship, with recipients like Switlo addressing critical issues such as poverty, climate change, and social inequality while fostering economic innovation.