Award recognizes COO Dwayne R. Norris’s leadership in advancing clean-energy workforce development and expanding economic opportunity
Dwayne R. Norris, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Soulful Synergy, was recently named a winner in the Individual Changemaker category of the Global Sustainability Awards 2026 North American chapter. The award recognizes his leadership in sustainable workforce development and clean-energy training, as well as his efforts to expand economic opportunity in underserved communities.
The North American chapter honors changemakers from across the United States and Canada, with categories honoring students, educators, university faculty and individual changemakers.
Since co-founding Soulful Synergy in 2013 with CEO Alejandro Alvarez, Norris has helped build the organization into a workforce and community development company focused on connecting people with career opportunities in construction, clean energy and other growing industries. City & State New York, which named Norris one of its 2026 Trailblazers in Construction, reported that Soulful Synergy has brought training and employment opportunities to more than 14,000 individuals.
“I’m deeply honored to receive this recognition, but this work has always been a collective and collaborative effort,” said Norris. “It reflects the commitment of our entire team and, most importantly, the determination of the people we serve who are working to build better futures for themselves and their families. I’m grateful to be part of that journey.”
Soulful Synergy works with government agencies, businesses and community organizations to develop workforce programs that connect training with employer needs. Its work encompasses construction and clean-energy skills, workplace safety, transportation electrification and other emerging workforce needs.
About Soulful Synergy
Founded in 2013, Soulful Synergy is a workforce and community development company that designs and delivers programs for government agencies, businesses, nonprofits and communities. Its work includes workforce development, clean-energy and construction training, career pathways, community engagement and programs designed to connect people with sustainable economic opportunities. For more information, visit soulfulsynergy.org.
About the Global Sustainability Awards
The Global Sustainability Awards (GSA) is an international initiative recognizing outstanding contributions toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Organized by ARC, an educational social-impact company, with support from regional and global partners, the awards recognize individuals and organizations working to advance sustainability. Since launching in 2021, GSA has attracted participants from more than 55 countries. The 2026 awards are being presented through regional chapters in North America, India and the United Arab Emirates. For more information, visit globalsustainabilityawards.net.